Sky has appointed John Cassy to the newly created role of Director of Sky 3D, in a move to reflect its commitment to delivering the best quality and range of 3DTV to its customers. He will be replaced by James Hunt, who will be promoted to Director, Sky Arts.

Cassy, who was previously Director of Sky Arts, begins his new role immediately, reporting in to Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, who oversees 3D on Sky’s executive board.

The new, dedicated channel director role has been created to build on Sky’s plans to further expand its 3D offering across film, live sports, factual, music, kids and event entertainment programming. Cassy’s remit will be to continue to commission and acquire the best 3D TV from home and abroad, as well as to work with Sky’s channel partners as they increasingly look to embrace 3D.

Upcoming Sky 3D highlights included the Isle of Wight Festival – the world’s first ever live 3D music festival; Kylie’s Aphrodite concert; Swan Lake; never before seen 3D footage taken by troops in WWII (a co-production with The History Channel); and the forthcoming UEFA Champions League and Heineken Cup Finals.

Cassy will be replaced by James Hunt, who moves from Head of Programming Sky Arts to Director of Sky Arts, reporting to Sophie Turner Laing, Managing Director Entertainment, News and Broadcast Operations.

Hunt will oversee the continuing expansion of the Sky Arts brand, as it cements its status at the UK’s most innovative, multi-platform arts broadcaster. As the UK’s only dedicated arts channel brand, Sky Arts offers four dedicated channels, which cover a wide range of arts programming, from opera to jazz, modern and classical art to contemporary music, literary programming and ballet. The channel itself has been a 3D trailblazer, having covered numerous events in 3D, including Swan Lake and Lucrezia Borgia.

Barney Francis said of Cassy’s appointment: “John has led the transformation of Sky Arts to become a brand that has deservedly built a reputation for offering the very best of contemporary and classical arts. We look forward to drawing on John’s creative and commercial flair to help take Sky 3D forward in what is an incredibly dynamic and stimulating field.”

John Cassy said: “Everyone at Sky is extremely excited about the long-term opportunities of 3D and we’re intent on giving customers a whole new viewing experience. I’m delighted to be at the forefront of such an innovative and creatively exciting opportunity for Sky. Sky Arts has some fantastic plans in the pipeline and it will be a wrench to leave seven thoroughly enjoyable years but I’ll be cheering from the sidelines as it goes on to bigger and better things.”

Sophie Turner Laing added: “I’d like to thank John for doing a fantastic job on Sky Arts and wish him the very best of luck taking Sky 3D forward. I am thrilled that James has agreed to take over the reins at Sky Arts. He has already proven to be a strong and creative leader for Sky Arts and we look forward to him steering the channels to new heights as it continues to deliver the best arts content from around the world, from The South Bank Sky Arts Awards, The Hay Festival and the recently announced Sky Arts Ignition Series.”

Hunt said: “I’m absolutely delighted, I may be biased but this is the best job in telly.”

www.sky.com/arts