‘People get pleasure from watching a great film together’

Rose Adkins Hulse is CEO of Screenhits TV, which is making it easier for us to watch our favourite films and TV programmes

During lockdown, my daughter was very keen to watch films. One day, I suggested The Wizard Of Oz and, without thinking, I went straight on to Amazon Prime to rent it. A few days later, my husband George – who won’t pay for anything – discovered I had wasted money, as I could have got the film through our Netflix subscription.

My company, Screenhits TV, has been working hard to solve that problem. We’ve created an app that enables you to put all the streaming platforms you subscribe to, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ as well as BBC iplayer and ITV Hub, in one place. When you use the app, you can see at a glance what the platforms are showing. It is laid out like a TV guide, and you just need to click once on whatever you want to watch.

We know how much pleasure people get from watching a great film together. It is cost-effective entertainment, especially when it is difficult to go out and do other things. This free app makes it easier to see what you have access to, and you can tailor the sign-up package to suit everyone in the family without spending a lot of money.

I have always loved films, particularly romantic comedies. I grew up in Santa Monica, California, and after studying business administration, I started working at The Hollywood Reporter. I then went on to work for the Sundance Institute and Nbcuniversal.

I was working on sales, marketing and production, and got a lot of insight into how the industry worked. I expected to carry on working for big companies but, over the years, I felt that my wings were clipped and, if I wanted to fly, I would have to be my own boss. After working for a start-up in New York, I faced a crunch decision when I had the choice between returning to LA to work for a big company, or do it on my own.

I decided to have a fresh start and moved to London in 2012 on an entrepreneur visa to set up Screenhits. I secured funding for my business idea, which was to help film and TV producers sell the rights to their work internationally. I knew how expensive it could be, so I wanted to create an online marketplace to make it easier. However, over time, the industry changed and now the focus has switched to consumers.

It has been a long journey; I got married and had two children along the way. Now I am CEO of a company that has 16 members of staff. I am based in the UK with the PR, marketing and sales side. I have a co-founder, Alexandru Todorut, who is based in Romania and is in charge of the tech side. I usually hire people who are very entrepreneurial, are motivated and ambitious and who want to change the way an industry can work and be part of that change.

I don’t think of myself so much as an entrepreneur; I am just Rose who is trying to get everything done, as well as being a good mum to my daughters Verity, five, and Georgiana, one. During the day, I drop Verity off at school, and I pick her up two to three times a week. I give Georgiana breakfast and dinner and put her to bed. Between those times, I do my work, cram in the meetings and work with the team.

It has been a busy and challenging year. I’m looking forward to Christmas at our house in Somerset. I have decided to be creative this year; I’ll be bringing out my paintbrushes and painting pictures for my closest friends and family. I love this time of year. Everybody takes time to relax and refocus; I love that part of Christmas.

Plans start from £1.99 a month, visit screenhits.tv

I love that everybody takes time to relax at Christmas