BBC Worldwide Builds Up Commissioning Team

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has expanded its commissioning and original content team with the hiring of Julie Swanston, a former UKTV commissioning editor, and Lucy Pilkington, a former Channel 4 commissioning editor.

Swanston, who will be based at the Media Centre in White City, will be responsible for factual entertainment programming for BBC Worldwide’s channels output, including the U.S. flagship BBC America. She will also be acting as executive producer on newly commissioned series from independent and in-house production teams. Swanston was a former commissioning editor for all UKTV entertainment channels.

Pilkington recently started as a freelance executive producer at BBC Worldwide, overseeing and executive producing such original programs as Million Dollar Intern and Best in Town. She was also previously the head of factual formats at October Films, and was a commissioning editor at Channel 4’s specialist factual division.

Both roles report to Tracy Forsyth, the VP of commissioning at BBC Worldwide. Swanston’s role also jointly reports to Rachel Smith, the VP of original programming at BBC America.

Forsyth commented: “It’s an exciting time for our commissioning strategy, welcoming Julie Swanston this September in this joint role with BBC America. With an impressive CV and multi-channel experience, Julie is ideally suited to this role with her fantastic producer and talent contacts. I’m also delighted that Lucy Pilkington has joined us to work on some fantastic projects. With her extensive commissioning and executive producer experience, I am confident she will deliver outstanding editorial judgment for our original factual and factual entertainment formats.”