Showtime promotes Tom Christie to chief operating officer

Veteran Showtime executive Tom Christie has been elevated to chief operating officer, it was announced Thursday by David Nevins, president and chief executive of Showtime Networks.

Christie, who has been with the network for more than 25 years, had most recently served as president, distribution, business development and network operations, a position that was created for him in 2012.

In his new role, Christie will continue to lead Showtime Networks’ distribution, sales, affiliate marketing, network operations and new business development teams, as well as the network’s streaming service product group. Christie will also continue to have oversight of future strategies and new business ventures.

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While at Showtime, a unit of CBS Corp., the number of network subscribers has grown by 70% in the past decade to more than 23 million. And he’s overseen the network’s launch last year of its streaming service, which is now available through Amazon Prime, Apple, Google and Roku, as well as Hulu, Sony PlayStation Vue.

“Tom is an executive of the highest caliber and is one of our key strategic leaders,” Nevins said in a statement. “He is central to driving our long-term growth as we continue to expand onto new platforms, and we’re thrilled that he will be stepping up his role at Showtime Networks.”

Christie has also previously served as executive vice president of affiliate sales at Showtime Networks. Prior to joining Showtime, Christie held an executive role at Sundance Channel.

Christie holds an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from The Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

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