Posted: Tue., Mar. 25, 2003, 6:07pm PT

Vien tops U int'l cable nets

Exec also in charge of planning for future channels

By John Dempsey

The Universal TV Group has put all of its overseas cable networks under veteran exec Patrick Vien.

While keeping his title of president of Universal's emerging domestic networks Trio and News World Intl. (NWI), Vien will add the new post of president of Universal Studios Networks and continue to report to Michael Jackson, chairman of the Universal TV Group.

These eight international channels, which used to report to Vivendi Universal's Canal Plus division, encompass Sci Fi U.K.; 13th Street (the umbrella title for networks in France, Spain and Germany); Studio Universal outlets in Italy and Germany; USA Network Brazil; and USA Network Latin America.

Jackson lauded Vien for his stewardship of the Trio cable network in the U.S., which has grown to more than 20 million households, and NWI, which reaches more than 17 million homes. Vien also oversees Universal's stake in the Sundance Channel and is in charge of planning for future Universal cable networks.

Universal inherited Vien when it bought North American Television (the owner of Trio and NWI) in May 2000, where he was president and chief operating officer. From 1992-2000, Vien held various exec posts at Power Corp. in France and Canada.