CEO Ancier Exits BBC America

Garth Ancier

Garth Ancier will step down as head of cable network BBC America after a three-year tenure noted for establishing a U.S.-based prime-time news show, as well as moving ad sales in-house.

Ancier's role extended beyond the network to overseeing production of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and other BBC stateside ventures. He carried the title of president-BBC Worldwide America and will step down in March, remaining as a non-executive director.

He offered no specific reason for his decision, stating only that "now feels the right time to transition to a new role, where I can really help BBC Worldwide shape its strategy."

Helping increase distribution to 65 million homes, Ancier moved to build BBC America's own sales force last year after the duties were handled by Discovery. BBC America said revenues increased 39% and the advertiser base was doubled within a year.

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A self-described "news junkie" who oversaw CNN while at Turner earlier this decade, Ancier launched "BBC World News America" on the network, which appears as a U.S. newscast told from an outsider's perspective. It airs weeknights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Also in news, as part of his broader responsibilities, he inked a deal to distribute "BBC World News" more widely on PBS stations.

He has also laid the groundwork for the launch of the preschool channel CBeebies next year and a U.S. edition of BBC.com.

Ancier's accomplished career includes helping NBC develop comedy hits in the 1980s, working on the launch of the Fox network, a top role at Turner, and heading the WB.

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