Press Release: Ubisoft's Lisa Opie announced as Together TV's new Chair
Lisa Opie, current MD at Ubisoft Leamington and Ubisoft Reflections, will be appointed as Chair of Together TV in September. Lisa will lead Together TV’s board that includes senior executives from partners like broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, and Arqiva, the charity sector and its community-society shareholders.
Lisa Opie has been Ubisoft Leamington and Ubisoft Reflections’ Managing Director since 2021, having joined from BBC Studios, where she served as Managing Director of the Studios’ UK Production. Prior to that, she was MD for BBC Studios Factual and Controller of Business Factual & Daytime for BBC Television. In addition, Lisa spent more than ten years in Director or Managing Director roles at different media companies, including Twofour Digital, Channel Five Broadcasting and Flextech Television.
Caroline Diehl MBE, Founder of the Channel, is stepping down as Executive Chair and trustee at Together TV. Caroline founded The Community Channel – now a charitable Community Benefit Society operating as Together TV – in 2000, when she was Founder and Chief Executive of charity Media Trust. In her broadcasting venture, Caroline’s pioneering work alongside a dedicated team led by Chief Executive Alexander Kann, has allowed the channel to grow to 5 million viewers monthly and an ever-growing audience on social and digital platforms. Following Caroline’s recent Churchill Fellowship, Caroline wants to focus on her new Impact Media initiative, to connect and strengthen social impact media platforms around the world.
The Together TV board has also announced that Satmohan Panesar, Commissioning Editor at ITV and already a Trustee of the channel, will be appointed as Vice-Chair in September.
Due to recent Freeview changes resulting in reduced terrestrial hours, Together TV has launched a new Freeview IP simulcast of its 24-hour TV channel. As one of the first channels in the main Freeview section, Together TV is pioneering new technologies that enable viewers to watch Together TV as a linear channel but delivered in higher quality via an internet connection. By tuning on Freeview 83, most viewers using a recent TV set will be able to keep watching Together TV as usual. The simulcast launch follows the free social purpose streaming service recently launched and reflects the channel’s purpose-driven ethos throughout.
Lisa Opie said: “I am very excited to join Together TV as the new Chair during such a pivotal time for the channel. As a long-time supporter of the channel I have loved seeing its transformation to ever-closer engagement in the lives of its viewers. The channel’s purpose to inspire positive social change in people’s lives and communities is ever more relevant. I have been hugely impressed with Together TV’s success and pay tribute to Caroline, who has guided and grown the channel since launch. I’m honoured to be taking on the reins”.
Caroline Diehl MBE, Founder and Chair at Together TV added: “With the appointment of Lisa as our new Chair, alongside a strong, diverse and passionate channel team, I know I am leaving the channel in the very best hands, with a robust commitment building positive social impact across our communities that will continue in years to come. My special thanks to our media partners, who have been with us since launch back in 2000, and to all the many colleagues, friends and supporters who’ve been part of our impact journey over the years. It’s an exciting time for the Channel and for me!”. Caroline also added: “I am so pleased that the Board has also approved the appointment of Satmohan Panesar as Vice-Chair on the board. Satmohan chairs our board’s Content Group and has been the board lead on our Diverse Film Fund’s delivery, resulting in innovative content, support for new diverse filmmakers, and winning the BAFTA in May 2022 for Best Short TV Programme. ITV’s and Satmohan’s support form a key part of our growth and innovation.”
Alexander Kann, Chief Executive at Together TV added: “We are thrilled to welcome Lisa as Chair of the channel, and I am forever grateful for Caroline's vision and passion to carve out this special space for a social impact broadcasters. As my boss for the last decade her incredible energy and dedication to the channel has never been less than awe-inspiring. Thank you from all of us – your legacy is a thriving channel with impact at its heart. It is thanks to you we can now look forward to getting this next chapter started”.
ENDS
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Francesca Aita, Head of Marketing Together TV
020 3196 1562
Notes to Editors
About Together TV
Together TV is the UK broadcaster inspiring positive change. We run a national TV channel and engagement platform to motivate people to do good in their lives and communities.
We programme entertainment shows that focus on wellbeing and creativity, whilst championing diverse voices. In doing so, we open our audience’s eyes to the opportunities around them and motivate them to take part.
As a result of watching, our viewers change attitudes, improve their wellbeing, gain confidence, do more for themselves and connect with their community.
Together TV broadcasts on Freeview 83, Sky 170, Virgin 269 and Freesat 164, and delivers its change-making campaigns through its engagement platform, website, fulfilment partner and social media channels.
Together TV is owned by over two hundred individual shareholders with a wider group of funders and donors alongside the media and digital industry.
The Community Benefit Society and its board include representatives from the broadcasters and charity sector alongside its elected Members.
The Community Channel operating as Together TV is a charitable Community Benefit Society registered with the FCA (RS007400).
Together TV broadcasts on Freeview 83, Sky 170, Virgin Media 269 and Freesat 164 and delivers its change-making campaigns through its engagement platform, website, fulfilment partners and social media channels.
The Together TV Annual Report 2020/21 is available to download
