BBC Worldwide Channels Names Acquisitions VP

LONDON: Bun Scrase-Dickins is taking on responsibility for acquiring new programming for BBC Worldwide’s portfolio of five branded thematic channels.

Reporting to David Weiland, the senior VP of pragramming, Scrase-Dickins will oversee acquisions for BBC Entertainment, BBC HD, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies. She will be based in London and world closley with regional programming teams for all BBC Worldwide channels around the world. Scrase-Dickins was most recently head of pay-TV acquisitions at Viasat Broadcasting, where she oversaw 17 channels across Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. 

Weiland said, "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Bun as our new VP of acquisitions. Her experience and extensive contacts will prove invaluable as we look to secure more compelling programming across our network of global channels. We’ve had an incredible 2008, launching 19 channels in the last 12 months, and our aim is to keep building on that momentum in 2009, with a continued commitment to acquiring the best of British and global programming for our network."
 
Scrase-Dickins added, "This is a fantastic time to be joining the BBC Worldwide Channels team. They’ve built an impressive portfolio of channels over the last two years, offering an exciting alternative to the big U.S. channel brands. I can’t wait to join the programming team as they look to build on that success."

Scrase-Dickins will take up her new role at BBC Worldwide Channels on March 2.