BBC Studios hunts new president of global content sales ahead of Janet Brown exit

BBC Studios is beginning the search for a new London-based president of global content sales following New York-based Janet Brown’s decision not to relocate to the UK.

Janet Brown

The commercial arm of the BBC said the relocated role will work more closely with BBC Studios Productions’ CEO and chief creative officer, Zai Bennett, its genre managing directors and global production leads, overseeing all markets globally, including the UK.

Brown, the current president of global content sales, has chosen not to relocate to the UK for the new role and will instead pursue new opportunities outside BBC Studios.

She will remain with the company until April 2026 to ensure a smooth handover. All current BBC Studios content sales leadership roles and reporting lines remain unchanged, the company said.

Brown joined BBC Studios in 2022 from Gunpowder & Sky as president of content distribution for North America and Latin America.

In October 2024, she stepped into the global role, as BBC Studios looked to bring its worldwide distribution efforts under one person.

BBC Studios content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms and includes brands such as Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.

BBC Studios credited Brown’s “creative dealmaking and novel distribution strategies” while managing a complex industry landscape “during a transformative period for the business.”

Bennett said: ”This strategic change looks to the future and will support us building a truly unified content studio that combines world-class production with global sales excellence. Janet has made an indelible contribution to our business. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment – and wish her every success in her next chapter.”