Welcome to Quick Q – Monday Media’s weekly Q&A series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the Australian media landscape.

Every week The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age asks key figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer a series of questions about their lives, careers, hobbies and news habits.

This week’s conversation is with Beverley McGarvey, executive vice president and chief content officer at Paramount Australia and New Zealand. Paramount is the owner of Network 10.

How did you get your big break?

When I was in my late 20s, I had ambition and confidence beyond my experience level. I was tormenting my CEO in Dublin when I was head of programming for a director of programming role. He gave me one, but it was in New Zealand which was obviously quite far from Dublin. But it was a brilliant experience. I worked with talented and creative people. I also met some lovely Australians which ultimately led me to where I am now.

What are daily news media habits?

They are not ideal! I wake up and get the news on my phone from a range of sources. I keep across what is going on all day in the same manner but with my TV on as well. I watch our news and The Project offerings on 10 Play at the end of the workday before getting updates again on my phone.

Your guilty streaming pleasure?
Guilded Age on Paramount+.

What did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a TV researcher as I read an article about them in a BBC magazine and it sounded extremely interesting.