ABC Australia Exec Joins BBC Worldwide

SYDNEY: In mid-January Natalie Edgar, deputy controller for ABC1, will become BBC Worldwide's new director of television for Australia and New Zealand.

Edgar will be responsible for BBC Worldwide's networks in Australia and New Zealand. She will commission and acquire programming for the channels and oversee the new TV formats production collaboration with FremantleMedia in Australia and TV format production in New Zealand. She will also manage the launch of BBC First, a premium BBC channel featuring a selection of British drama and comedy on FOXTEL starting in August 2014.

Edgar will fill the role of Deirdre Brennan, who is retiring from BBC Worldwide at the end of this month.

Jon Penn, the managing director of BBC Worldwide ANZ, noted: "Natalie's passion for content and her first-class editorial experience will ensure our television business is in the best possible hands, as we launch a premium BBC channel and raise our game in content production."

Edgar added: "I'm thrilled and very proud to be taking up the position of director of television at BBC Worldwide. It's such an exciting time to be joining with the launch of BBC First next year and I'm looking forward to bringing more great British content to audiences in Australia and New Zealand."