Ron Garfield To Head Upcoming Buzzr TV

FremantleMedia North America today appointed Ron Garfield as executive vice president and general manager of Buzzr TV.

The digital multicast network, announced at NATPE in January and set to launch this summer in all 17 Fox O&O markets, will tap into the company’s vast portfolio of more than 40,000 hours of game shows, including Family Feud, Let’s Make A Deal, To Tell The Truth, Password, Match Game, Beat the Clock, What’s My Line, Blockbusters and Card Sharks. 

 “Launching Buzzr TV and growing its footprint is one of the top priorities for the business this year,” said Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. “It was essential for me to appoint an executive with a strong record of launching secondary channels and growing their penetration in the market. Ron’s extensive background in this area, as well as his innate passion for Buzzr, made him the right choice to join me in leading this endeavor.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Thom Beers and his team at FremantleMedia,” said Garfield. “Buzzr TV is a dynamic vehicle for FMNA to make its entry into the channels space, offering viewers a fun, entertaining and a nostalgic ride through some of the best game shows of our time. For advertisers, Buzzr provides a family-friendly platform, and for our affiliate partners, a new source of revenue.”

Garfield comes to FMNA with a lengthy background in the entertainment industry. Most recently, he was with Sony Pictures Television where he served as the chief revenue officer for FEARnet and SVP of distribution for Sony Movie Channel and Cine Sony.

Prior to Sony, Garfield was the founding COO of Ovation TV where he oversaw all revenue generating functions and network operations.

Garfield has also held executive positions at Hallmark Channel, serving as the SVP of network distribution and service, as well as Fox Broadcasting, where he was the SVP of network distribution.