Mike Cosentino

President

CTV Networks

A 16-year broadcast veteran, Mike Cosentino was appointed Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell Media in Fall 2010. In this position, he is responsible for the acquisition and scheduling strategy across Bell Media’s conventional television networks, CTV and CTV Two, home of Canada’s most-watched programs. He is also Chair, Bell Media Programming Council, which focuses on the creation and selection of hit programming.

Cosentino developed an astute eye for acquisitions and program scheduling while working directly under two of Canada’s pre-eminent programmers, Susanne Boyce and Ivan Fecan, during a period of extraordinary programming success from 2007-2011. Cosentino has also contributed to the success of some of Canada’s most-watched and acclaimed independent productions, including original CTV series Canadian Idol, Corner Gas, Flashpoint, and most recently, So You Think You Can Dance Canada. At MIPCOM 2011, Cosentino was awarded the World Screen Content Trendsetter Award recognizing his expertise in securing top programming, navigating complex multiplatform agreements in his acquisitions and strategic scheduling that contribute to making CTV Canada’s most-watched television network.

Cosentino began his broadcast career in 1996 at Discovery Channel. Four years later, he was appointed Director, Communications for CTV, and then Vice-President, Communications, CTVglobemedia, in 2005. In that role, he directed the company’s communications strategies for the #1 ranked CTV network and its roster of specialty channels, including market-leading services TSN (The Sports Network), Discovery Channel, and The Comedy Network. In 2007, he left communications to pursue a career in programming with his appointment as Senior Vice-President, Program Scheduling, CTV Networks.

Cosentino’s taste for entertainment began in 1992 when, under the celebrity ownership of John Candy, Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, he worked as Director of Communications for pro football’s Toronto Argonauts.

Mike Cosentino holds a post-degree diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and an undergraduate degree from McMaster University.

Speaking at: Bell Media: The New Brand Content Upfronts