New Head for BBC Worldwide Channels in Asia

SINGAPORE: Former Discovery Networks Asia executive Mark Whitehead has been tapped as the new general manager and senior VP of BBC Worldwide Channels Asia, where he succeeds Christine Leo-McKerrow.

Based in Singapore, Whitehead will take on responsibility for the reach, ratings and revenue of BBC Worldwide Channels’ operations across region, driving the expansion of a six-channel portfolio: BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies, BBC HD and BBC World News. BBC Entertainment was introduced to the Asia Pacific in October 2006, and CBeebies, BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle subsequently rolled out in Singapore and Hong Kong. Last year, CBeebies and BBC Knowledge launched in Indonesia, while BBC HD entered Taiwan as a VOD service. In addition, 2008 saw the launch of BBC Knowledge in South Korea.

Darren Childs, the managing director of BBC Worldwide Channels, commented: “We have grown the channels business rapidly over the last few years and have plans for further growth in the region. Our ambition for Asia is now greater than ever and we are very fortunate to have attracted an executive of Mark’s calibre to lead this next stage of growth. I’m delighted to welcome him to our senior management team.”

Whitehead was most recently the senior VP for revenue at Discovery Networks Asia. He takes up his post at the BBC at the end of April.