Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts "is President and CEO of S-VOX (formerly the VisionTV group of channels) – a position to which he brings a wealth of experience in broadcasting, as well as public, government and international affairs.

"Prior to his appointment at S-VOX, Roberts was Secretary General of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), a non-profit organization that serves as the voice of North American broadcasters on global issues. In this role, he increased NABA membership from nine to 50, and was responsible for developing the association’s relationships with Microsoft and AT&T. At NABA, he also managed the secretariat of the World Broadcasting Unions, and played an active part in organizing the United Nations World Television Forum on the Impact of Television on Peace and Development.

"The move to NABA followed eight years with public service broadcaster TVOntario, first as Senior Managing Director of External Relations, and then as Senior Director-General of International Affairs.

"Roberts has also worked with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) as Senior Vice-President, Television, and with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as a Senior Policy Analyst.

"He holds several communications, public policy and business degrees, including a BA from Trent University, an MBA from St. Mary’s University and an MA from the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, France.

"He is a director of the International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), a jury member of the NATAS Technical Award Emmys, an associate fellow at York University’s Calumet College and a Quadrangle Society member at the University of Toronto’s Massey College. He is also a Special Advisor to and a past Vice-President of the Couchiching Institute of Public Affairs, and a founder of Public Broadcasters International (PBI). He served on the PBI steering committee from 1991 to 2000.

"Roberts serves on the Board of Directors of the Media Awareness Network; the International Broadcast Training of Canada Group and the Hot Docs Advisory Council. He's also Chairperson of One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel.

"A native of Quebec, Roberts currently lives in Toronto with his family. His interests include mountaineering and scuba diving. He is fluent in French, and conversant in Spanish and Swedish."


 * The Real News: International Founding Committee