BBC Worldwide America Names Scannell President

Herb Scannell has been named president of BBC Worldwide America, effective immediately. He comes to BBC from Next New Networks, a company he founded in 2006 after spending much of his career at Viacom, where he was responsible for growing its portfolio of

April 6, 2018

Scannell was instrumental in launching Noggin (now Nick Jr.), a background he will immediately call upon as BBC Worldwide prepares to launch its kids' network, CBeebies, in the U.S.

In his new role, Scannell is responsible for growing the BBC brand and the business across all divisions in the U.S., the BBC's largest market outside the U.K. As president of BBC Worldwide America, he will oversee channel BBC America, as well as BBC Worldwide Productions, BBC.com in the U.S., and sales and distribution. He will also sit on BBC Worldwide's executive board.

"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.," says John Smith, chief executive officer of BBC Worldwide. "Our American businesses have delivered significant successes in recent years—not least of which include 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 replaces Garth Ancier, who left the role of president, BBC Worldwide America on March 31.

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