BBC Worldwide Americas has today appointed Garth Ancier as President of its U.S. operations, a new post that will see all BBC Worldwide’s U.S. activity brought under the leadership of a single person, as the corporation restructures to deliver significant growth in the U.S. He beings the role with immediate effect.
One of only two executives in the history of U.S. television to head three different network entertainment divisions, Ancier joins the BBC with a highly impressive record of U.S. television expertise gained at major networks including FOX, NBC, CNN and The WB.
As President BBC Worldwide America, Ancier will be responsible for developing the BBC brand in the U.S., building on Worldwide’s U.S. achievements to date. This includes expanding BBC Worldwide’s portfolio of channels, which currently comprises the flagship cable channel BBC AMERICA, now in more than 53 million homes; and working with U.S. networks on behalf of LA-based BBC Worldwide Productions, to produce further shows and formats.
BBC AMERICA has won a string of awards for its programming, including four Golden Globes and six Peabody Awards. Worldwide’s LA Production office is credited with top-rated shows like ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and NBC’s Grease: You’re the One that I Want! and recently announced three scripted pilots picked-up for U.S. network television.
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.
John Smith, CEO BBC Worldwide, says: “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. Bringing all of our businesses in the U.S. 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.”
Garth Ancier says: “Since its first radio broadcast in 1922, the BBC has a rich, storied history of creating vital and innovative content in News, Entertainment, Kids and Sports. My career has had many highlights and I expect another by working with one of the greatest names in broadcasting and expanding the BBC brand in the world’s largest English speaking marketplace.”
Reporting directly to John Smith, CEO BBC Worldwide, Ancier will sit on, and be accountable to, the BBC Worldwide Americas Board along with Darren Childs (Managing Director Global Channels), David Moody (Managing Director Digital Media), Mark Young (Managing Director Global Sales) and Wayne Garvie (Director Content & Production).
Ancier will be based in BBC Worldwide Americas’ New York headquarters and all U.S. businesses will report to him with immediate effect.
Most recently Ancier ran In2TV, the Warner Bros./AOL broadband television network. Previously, he was Chairman of the WB Television Network from May 2004 until its merger with UPN in September 2006. A key architect of America’s fifth broadcast network, he also served as The WB’s chief programmer from 1994-99. During that time he oversaw production of key hits aimed at teens and young adults such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson’s Creek, 7th Heaven and Charmed.
He left WB in 1999 to become President, NBC Entertainment, where he scheduled hit series such as The West Wing and developed shows including Ed, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Scrubs and Fear Factor.
He later moved to cable giant Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc. where he revitalized CNN with name brand programming such as American Morning and Anderson Cooper 360 and introduced a new raft of on screen talent including Anderson Cooper, Aaron Brown and Paula Zahn. On the entertainment side, he refocused TBS and TNT to serve distinct audiences and dramatically expanded the footprint of the Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network.
During the late 1980s Ancier was a member of the Fox Broadcasting Company launch team, serving as the first President of Programming at the fledgling network. He developed and scheduled programming that set pop culture trends including The Simpsons and Married…With Children.
A Princeton University graduate and native of New Jersey, he began his career as a radio reporter and executive producer but turned to television in 1979 when he joined NBC Entertainment for the first time. He rose through the ranks to supervise top network comedies including The Cosby Show, Cheers and Golden Girls.
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