BBC Studios has bolstered its U.S. unscripted production team with the addition of Jenny Groom and two internal promotions.
Groom, who was previously executive VP of unscripted programming at NBCUniversal, where she commissioned hit formats such as The Traitors and Love Island, has been tapped to serve as executive VP of unscripted development. Among the internal promotions, Ryan O’Dowd has been elevated from executive VP of entertainment and music to president of unscripted.
Additionally, Krystal Whitney has been upped from senior VP of current programming to executive VP of current programming.
Groom brings a wealth of experience to the company after spending two decades at NBCUniversal. There, she oversaw all unscripted competition formats across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, E! and USA Network. Under her leadership, The Voice was crowned the most-watched TV show of the decade, and America’s Got Talent was the most-watched unscripted summer series. Password, That’s My Jam and Baking It were commissioned under her direction, and Weakest Link, American Ninja Warrior and The Wall were part of her portfolio as well.
Throughout O’Dowd’s nine years with BBC Studios, the unscripted team has achieved breakthrough results selling U.S. adaptations of global hits to leading broadcast and streaming partners, including ABC, Prime Video, FOX, Netflix and Peacock. He secured new series orders for Weakest Link and The 1% Club. He led the launches of high-profile productions hosted by talent such as Helen Mirren, Jane Lynch, Patton Oswalt and Andy Cohen. In 2024, he became BBC Studios’ executive producer for Dancing with the Stars, delivering a record-setting season. He also brought Weakest Link back to the U.S. for the first time in 18 years. He currently executive produces Outlast for Netflix and executive produced Murder Among the Mormons as well.
Whitney has been with BBC Studios since 2020 and has worked closely with O’Dowd since then on the company’s expansion. She has shaped the defining creative vision for a number of successful series, including Weakest Link and Life Below Zero. She led BBC Studios’ partnership with National Geographic on the Life Below Zero franchise, which grew to encompass four series. She is currently an executive producer of The 1% Club and Outlast.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Jenny Groom to BBC Studios,” said Matt Forde, managing director of BBC Studios Global Entertainment. “She has had an absolutely stellar career to date, and we know she will bring incredible drive and ambition to our unscripted business in the U.S. market. Coupled with Ryan’s expertise at the helm and Krystal in her new role, the Los Angeles team is perfectly placed to build on the tremendous success already achieved. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what they deliver in the future.”
