BBCWW fills Scannell role

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has appointed one of its executives to replace Herb Scannell, the veteran NBC and Viacom exec who’s leaving his role as president of the firm’s North American division.

Herb Scannell

Ann Sarnoff, currently chief operating officer, will replace Scannell from August. She joined BBCWW in 2010 having worked with him at Viacom and is currently responsible for BBCWW revenue streams, and also helped develop global brands such as Doctor Who, Top Gear and BBC Earth.

Scannell arrived at BBCWW in 2010 and spearheaded last year’s joint venture between the company and AMC Networks that saw the US firm take a 49.9% stake in BBC America and co-invest in future BBC productions.

He also oversaw BBCWW Productions’ operations in LA and BBC America’s programming, including the launch of Orphan Black, and a rise in local traffic to BBC.com.

Tim Davie, CEO at BBCWW, said Scannell had “rapidly grown and fundamentally transformed” the North American business.

Former Viacom exec Scannell has not revealed his next move but said it “feels like the right time for me to return to the entrepreneurial path I was on in digital media before I joined BBCWW.”

In related news, BBCWW is preparing to launch drama network BBC First via Belgian cable provider Telenet from June 4. The network, which debuted in the Netherlands last week, will offer shows including Wolf Hall, The Musketeers, Silent Witness and Last Tango in Halifax.