BBC extends Keating’s remit, hires Rivera

The BBC will not replace outgoing controller of multi-platform Simon Nelson and will instead hand execs including director of archive content Roly Keating expanded remits.

Nelson, who leads the creative ‘Vision’ side of the BBC’s digital activities, said last month that he was leaving the corporation at the end of the year to pursue opportunities in the commercial sector.

His exit comes as the BBC seeks to shave 25% off its online expenditure by 2013 as part of a programme drawn up by Future Media and Technology (FM&T) chief and BBC executive board member Erik Huggers.

BBC Vision controller Jana Bennett said today she would not be replacing Nelson but was instead reshaping the existing management team to “ensure television and multi-platform are streamlined into a more integrated working relationship.”

The announcement came as FM&T said it was appointing Ralph Rivera from New York-based Major League Gaming as director, making him point man for Vision on the tech side of the corporation.

Rivera’s previous credits include running AOL’s games and Latino business as well as stints with publishers including Pearson and Simon & Schuster.

Back over at Vision, Keating, who is divining the line between what the BBC can charge for online and what it should offer for free as part of its public service remit, will now add editorial and strategic leadership of BBC Vision’s IPTV, red button and syndication activities to his portfolio. This will encompass the iPlayer and its roll-out on the YouView platform.

George Entwistle, controller of commissioning at factual arm BBC Knowledge, will now steer his department’s activities online and on other non-traditional TV platforms. Pat Younge, chief creative officer at Vision Productions, will get the same responsibilities for the BBC’s in-house production arm.

Rivera joins on November 8, while the changes at Vision come into effect on November 15. Nelson will leave the BBC at the end of the year.