The new appointments at the Icelandic pubcaster to reinforce programme development, production and new media in line with RUV’s action plan to 2021.

Baldvin Þór Bergsson will be Programme Director of New Media and of the radio station Rás 2. Educated in online media, the experienced journalist and Digital Media lecturer at the University of Iceland will supervise the development of RUV’s content and online services for young people, one of the major goals set in RUV’s policy for 2021.

Birgir Sigfússon, former Head of Production at Baltasar Kormákur’s RVK Studios, and previous CEO of RVX, is appointed Director of Media. As such, he will be responsible for maximising the quality and utilisation of resources in RUV’s programming, and will work closely with RUV’s Programme Managers.

Steinunn Þórhallsdóttir, who has worked since 2014 as RUV Process and Planning director, has been promoted to Director of Production and Processes. She will head a new department in charge of running RUV’s production of programmes and of leasing equipment and facilities to indie producers and other media.

The new executives will sit on RUV’s Executive Council consisting of seven women and seven men. RUV’s action plan to 2021 was announced last May by General Director Magnús Geir Þórðarson.

Among the main objectives were Upgraded services for young people, closer collaboration with the creative arts, more open development of ideas, news coverage in greater depth and a major drive in drama production.

RUV has increased its drama budget spend on external production from 8% in 2016 to 11% in 2019 and committed to spending at least ISK 200 million (approximately €1.8million) on TV drama production per year until 2019.

RUV’s major commissioning Trapped season 2 is currently in production, with a premiere set for late 2018.