Amy Reisenbach has been named president of CBS Entertainment, with Kelly Kahl departing the company next month. Reisenbach was named executive VP of current programs at CBS in June 2017. She’s been with CBS since 2005.

She will report to CBS President and CEO George Cheeks. 

“Amy is a brilliant, creative executive and an incredible, highly collaborative leader who has worked closely with all parts of the network and our studios partners for many years,” said Cheeks. “She is a passionate advocate for writers, producers and the creative process, with proven programming instincts for what it takes to make and sustain highly successful television series. She also continues to be a strong proponent for diversity and inclusion and a key figure in the advancements CBS has made in front of and behind the camera in this area.”

Kahl has been with CBS for 26 years and was named entertainment president in 2017. CBS said he “recently announced that he would be leaving his role in December.”

“I want to thank George, Kelly Kahl, David Stapf and Thom Sherman for being amazing bosses and colleagues, and supporting my growth path to this moment,” said Reisenbach. “This network means so much to the people who work here, the writers and producers who call it home, and the viewers who fall in love with our series. I’m excited and proud to continue our tradition of excellence that everyone at this network strives to exceed every day.”

Reisenbach was CBS senior VP of current programs from September 2015 through June 2017. She joined CBS Studios in 2005 as manager of current programs, was promoted to director a year later, and was named VP in 2011.

Previously, Reisenbach worked at Warner Bros. Television in the drama development and current departments. ■

CBS Entertainment said it named Jon Koa as executive VP, comedy development.

Koa, who had been senior VP, scripted television for Condé Nast Entertainment, will oversee all comedy development for CBS Entertainment’s primetime programming and report to Kelly Kahl, president, CBS Entertainment, and Thom Sherman, executive VP, programming.

Julie Pernworth, who held the comedy development post, announced she was leaving late last month. 

“Jon is a tremendously experienced television executive with an obvious passion for the development process,” said Kahl. “His reputation among his peers and the creative community is impeccable and he will be an extraordinary addition to the CBS team.”

“It was imperative we find just the right individual to lead our comedy team. Jon has tremendous creative chops and a keen eye for spotting writing that resonates. I look forward to working closely with him,” Sherman added.

Before joining Condé Nast in 2015, Koa was executive director, comedy programming and development, for the ABC Television Network. He began his career in 2006 in the drama development department at Universal Television, working on House, Parenthood, Monk and Battlestar Galactica.

Bryon Rubin has been promoted to chief operating officer for the CBS Entertainment Group.

He will continue to serve as CFO for the group  and report to the unit’s president and CEO George Cheeks.

In his new role, Rubin will oversee the financial and business operations that support the CBS divisions of ViacomCBS. He will also work with Cheeks on operational matters and strategies to grow the CBS businesses.

“Bryon is uniquely qualified to more broadly lead our financial and business operations and to take on an important strategic role as well. His deep knowledge of CBS and so many critical parts of our business – broadcast, production, digital, syndication, stations – will be an enormous asset to our Group,” said Cheeks. “His insight and counsel since I arrived at CBS in March have been invaluable, and I look forward to partnering with him as we continue to define and position CBS for a rapidly changing media world.”

Rubin joined CBS in 1999. Before CBS he worked in investment banking and public accounting.

“CBS is an iconic brand with a powerful combination of businesses and terrific leaders across the Group,” said Rubin. “I’m excited to support George’s leadership goals and strategies and work with all my colleagues to drive our business during this evolutionary time.”

Global Eagle Entertainment, a provider of content and digital media for airlines, has signed on Thai Airline Nok Air to provide content, connectivity and digital solutions for the carrier’s free in-flight WiFi service.

According to Global Eagle, Nok Air is the first airline in Asia to offer free inflight WiFi connectivity. The satellite-delivered service is provided to Nok Air by Thaicom PLC. In addition to Nok Air, Global Eagle and Thaicom will jointly develop, implement and support inflight connectivity solutions for airlines in Thailand and the surrounding region.

"We're very excited to be the first in Asia to offer free inflight WiFi to our passengers on top of our other free services. This is a testament to our promise of being proactive in bringing new and innovative services to our passengers. Inflight WiFi will provide our passengers with a whole new travel experience, as they can still connect to what is important to them at 35,000 feet in the air," said Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin in a statement.

Global Eagle was formed in 2011 by former CBS Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment president Jeff Sagansky and former MGM chairman and CEO Harry Sloan as a special purpose acquisition company and raised about $190 million to invest in the in-flight entertainment industry.

"We're thrilled with the launch of another customer as we bring market-leading connectivity and content solutions to Nok Air and its passengers," said Global Eagle CEO Dave Davis in a statement. "We believe our satellite connectivity service, which operates both over land and water, provides the optimal solution for Nok Air, which has many flights on over-water routes to vacation destinations. Supported by our partnership with Thaicom, we remain focused on further expanding our presence across the growing South East Asia region."