BBCWW adds Viacom, Nat Geo duo

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has added executives from National Geographic Channel International (NGCI) and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) to its commissioning team, and promoted an acquisitions exec.

Hannah Demidowicz was most recently a commissioner at NGCI before her exit last week, following eight years with the broadcaster.

She takes up the role of commissioning executive at BBCWW, as does Andrea Speziale-Bagliacca, who joins from VIMN where he was VP of commissioning.

Both will report to Julie Swanston, BBCWW’s exec VP of commissioning, with a remit to develop and order original content for the slates of new network brands BBC Brit and BBC Earth.

The duo will also work with BBCWW’s other international channels, such as BBC America, to develop shows for the global market.

Meanwhile Nicki McDermott has been upped to head of acquisitions for entertainment. McDermott, who moved from UKTV last year, has worked on shows including entertainment series Tumble and Your Home in Their Hands and has also overseen investment in scripted formats.

McDermott said she would be “seeking out new programmes that will delight and entertain audiences both in the UK and overseas” in her new role, and would be working with both the BBC’s in-house teams and the indie community.

She reports to Tracy Forsyth, who was recently promoted to oversee entertainment and factual entertainment for the UK pubcaster’s commercial division.

The additions come as BBCWW focuses on its investment in original content, which topped £200m (US$341.6m) for the first time in the 12 months to March.