PBS appoints BBC America alum

US public broadcaster PBS has appointed a former BBC America exec as its chief programming executive and general manager.

Perry Simon

Perry Simon has been hired to replace Beth Hoppe, who joined ABC earlier this year, and will oversee all programming apart from children’s shows. He most recently worked on documentaries as MD at US-based Vulcan Productions, and has previously worked for NBC.

Simon, who will take up the role in February, was general manager at BBC America between 2010 and 2015, working on dramas including Luther and The Hour.

Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO, said Simon “brings a breadth of media experience, including leadership roles at BBC and Vulcan Productions – two of our longstanding partners who share a commitment to educational and informative content.”

She added: “He is an innovative leader who will work closely with our extraordinary team at PBS, as well as producers and partners across the public television system, to deliver on our mission of service to the American people.”

Hoppe left PBS to join ABC News in the US as its senior VP for longform after six years with the US public broadcaster.