Arthur Bastings

Arthur Bastings is Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In this role, Bastings oversees the strategic development and daily operations of Discovery’s six lines of business across the region, which distributes 13 television brands via 40 network feeds to 217 million cumulative subscribers across 105 countries, with programming customized into 24 languages. Headquartered in London, Discovery Networks EMEA also has local market offices in Amsterdam, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Warsaw.

Prior to joining Discovery Networks in March 2004, Bastings worked with Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe where he held the post of Managing Director for Northern and Central Europe. Bastings was responsible for the management and continued growth of CNN, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies, as well as general oversight of Turner Broadcasting System’s holdings in German channels Viva and n-TV.

Previously, Bastings held the post of Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Operations with MTV Asia. Under his leadership, the company designed and implemented a local brand strategy for MTV in various Asian markets to increase the cultural relevance of its programs for viewers. Bastings also oversaw the launch of MTV in Southeast Asia and Korea.

Bastings, a Dutch National, earned a master’s degree in International Economics and European Studies from John Hopkins University, Washington, D.C. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Nijenrode University, the Netherlands.