TBS appoints Mike Whittaker as COO to support global expansion

Sydney, February 6th 2024 – Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS) today announces the appointment of Mike Whittaker as COO to support the business as it continues to expand globally. Following an extensive domestic and international search, Whittaker started his role in mid-January, responsible for customer success and ensuring a consistency of service to more than 200 broadcast and media organisations worldwide.

The appointment follows the announcement of a strategic 5-year partnership between TBS and BT’s Media and Broadcast Unit, made in November 2023, and a broader push to expand TBS’ global footprint over the last four years. In his role, Whittaker will be responsible for ensuring customer success and managing the customer journey from solutions through delivery, including operational support. This means he will be responsible for solutions, integration/deployment, infrastructure and operations functions, helping TBS improve collaboration across the business and ensure consistent delivery as it continues to scale globally.

Telstra Broadcast Services CEO Andreas Eriksson said he was delighted to welcome Whittaker, who brings a wealth of media operations and technology experience.

“Mike is an accomplished C-level leader who has started and grown teams, worked to drive continuous improvement, integrated business units and disparate workflows, relocated businesses, and run the global operations for some of the largest organisations in the worldwide broadcast industry.

“Having lived and worked in the UK, Middle East and Asia, Mike brings the international outlook TBS was looking for in the next stage of our growth journey.”

Whittaker has held a variety of senior operations and technology executive roles at businesses on both the customer and vendor side, including a regional Pay TV broadcaster (OSN Middle East), global broadcaster (Fox APAC and MENA), betting industry leader (SIS/SIS Live), playout outsourcing provider (Technicolor), national broadcaster (The BBC), and start-up (Outernet). 

Whittaker commented, “TBS is on a fascinating trajectory and in a great position to seize opportunities in a particularly dynamic global media and broadcast market. I’m delighted to join old and new colleagues on this journey.”

He continued, “TBS's people, reach, and ambition are second to none, and I’m keen to build on the work done by Andreas and the team to ensure our customers can create and distribute content that engages audiences around the globe.”