2025 Honoree

Levente Málnay

AMC Networks International, Central and Northern Europe

North Star

Honored for playing a pivotal role in establishing commercial television in the region after the fall of communism, and exceptional leadership across production, channel launches, and managing one of the most diverse portfolios of channels in the region.

Levente Málnay began his career as a freelance sports reporter for Hungarian State Television during university and joined HBO in 1991, at the company’s first international venture – in Hungary as the third non-American employee. In 1996 he produced the first HBO International local language original content, a standup comedy show.

In 1997, as Executive Director, he launched the country's first music television network, Z+ (a JV between HBO and Warner Music) - later acquired by VIVA Media, then by MTV Networks. As MTV Networks VP of Central Europe, Levi launched locally programmed MTV and Comedy Central in the region.

In 2009, he joined Chello Media (Liberty Global), responsible for the Central European portfolio, and with the AMC acquisition in 2014, he became SVP of AMC Networks International. In 2017 he was promoted to EVP Central and Northern Europe, where his remit extends to management of 36 linear TV channels from Germany to Ukraine.