BBC Worldwide Americas tapped programming veteran Garth Ancier to head its U.S. operations.
The move puts all of BBC Worldwide’s activities in the States under Ancier, whose resume includes stints as the leader of Fox, NBC and The WB’s entertainment divisions and in executive role at Turner Broadcasting System. Most recently, Ancier ran In2TV, the Warner Bros./AOL broadband-television network.
As president of BBC Worldwide Americas, Ancier has oversight for developing the BBC brand in the United States, including further expansion of the 53 million-home BBC America cable service, as well as to drive Los Angeles-based BBC Worldwide Productions to produce further shows and formats.
Ancier will also manage BBC Worldwide’s U.S. TV and video sales business and, in the digital space, will oversee the introduction of BBC Worldwide’s Web-based program delivery system, bbc.com, which is currently in the process of approval.
Based in BBC Worldwide Americas’ New York headquarters, Ancier will report directly to BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith. Ancier will be a member of the BBC Worldwide Americas board, along with managing director of global channels Darren Childs, managing director of digital media David Moody, managing director of global sales Mark Young and director of content and production Wayne Garvie.
“Garth has an impeccable pedigree in U.S. media. His experience with America’s most formidable networks, in both traditional and new media, will be fantastic for us as we grow the BBC brand in this market,” Smith said in a prepared statement. “Bringing all of our businesses in the United States under the guidance of someone with Garth’s experience and vision will be invaluable for BBC Worldwide as we move to double the scale of our business in this territory.”
BBC America, which has been ramping up co-productions, launched a new on-air look and tag line, “a little Brit different,” last month.
Childs, in an interview last fall, said BBC America was eyeing an HD channel and considering a Hispanic service here in the States.
