Brenner Out at In Demand

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

In a surprise move, In Demand LLC president and CEO Steve Brenner announced Friday he’s leaving the company after heading the pay-per-view/video-on-demand distribution company for four years.

In Demand COO Rob Jacobson will take over effective immediately, according to network officials. 

The low-key Brenner, who replaced outgoing E! Entertainment Television president Mindy Herman at In Demand in 2000, was instrumental in overseeing In Demand’s transition from a distributor of linear PPV and VOD services to a player in the video-on-demand and HDTV arena.

Just last year, the company launched INHD, a linear HD channel offering movies and events.

In Demand is owned by Comcast Cable Communications Inc., Cox Communications Inc. and Time Warner Inc.

“I am very proud of all that In Demand has accomplished during my time as president and CEO,” Brenner said in a statement. “The company is well positioned to generate significant revenue in the coming years, and now is the time for me to move on to pursue other opportunities.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.