Herb Scannell Takes Over at BBC Worldwide America

NEW YORK: BBC Worldwide has named Herb Scannelll as president of BBC Worldwide America, taking over the role exited in March by Garth Ancier.

Scannell is tasked with growing the BBC brand and business across all divisions in the U.S. He will sit on BBC Worldwide’s executive board. His responsibilities for the U.S. include BBC America and BBC America HD, BBC Worldwide Productions, BBC.com, sales and distribution, home entertainment and licensed consumer goods. He will also oversee the exploitation of BBC Worldwide’s global brands in America.

Most recently Scannell was the CEO of Next New Networks, which he co-founded in 2006. He is the former president of Nickelodeon Networks and vice chairman of MTV Networks.

John Smith, the CEO of BBC Worldwide, said: “Herb has a tremendous track record of success in developing and extending innovative brands across multiple platforms, which is precisely the experience needed to help build the next phase for BBC Worldwide in the U.S. Our American businesses have delivered significant successes in recent years – not least record ratings for flagship shows Dancing With The Stars and Doctor Who in the past month—and we believe Herb is the right person to leverage this success and build a power brand for the BBC in the U.S..”

Scannell added: “I’ve been associated with innovative brands and businesses throughout my career, and there’s none more innovative in television than the BBC. It’s a world renowned brand with a great portfolio of businesses in the U.S. that have tremendous prospects. I’m excited to be bringing these businesses together to make America an even bigger success for BBC Worldwide. The cable channel with a desirable upscale audience has great growth in front of it. And as for the Production studio, I’m looking forward to working with EVP Jane Tranter in LA, and having the support of Global MD Content and Production Wayne Garvie in London, to expand the production agenda and build on the outstanding program successes already achieved in the U.S. Added to that, the digital assets of BBC Worldwide are awesome.”