Melanie Rumani, BBC Studios and UKTV global head of acquisitions, dies

Melanie Rumani, head of global acquisitions for BBC Studios and its multichannel business UKTV, has died after a long illness.

Melanie Rumani

Rumani joined BBC Studios in 2006, holding various positions within sales and acquisitions until her most recent role as global head of acquisitions for BBC Studios and UKTV.

Prior to taking on her UKTV remit, Rumani sourced content for 40 individual BBC-branded pay TV channels and SVoD services globally. She helped launch new channels across multiple territories, including BBC Earth, BBC Brit and BBC First.

In 2020, Rumani moved into the newly created role of global head of acquisitions across BBC Studios and UKTV, delivering a raft of global deals with a number of studios. She continued working in that role right up until her death, despite her illness.

Rumani, who was 50 years old, was married to Hass Rumani, who is head of content funding at UKTV.

UKTV said in a statement: “Melanie worked with hundreds of people across the BBC Group and she touched the lives of many. She will be hugely missed.”

BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell said: “Mel’s contribution to BBC Studios and the wider BBC group cannot be underestimated, and it was a privilege to work with her. She was fearless and tenacious in her approach to deal-making, and this translated into how she approached everyday life too.

“We are all in total admiration of how she tackled her illness and her determination to continue working despite the challenges that presented. Mel is going to be hugely missed by all those who had the pleasure of working with her, and our thoughts are with Mel’s husband Hass and her wider family and friends.”

UKTV CEO Marcus Arthur added: “Mel had incredible resilience, and she brought a fast-paced energy and determination to everything she tackled. Her wealth of knowledge was incredible, and she was highly regarded in the industry for her expertise and professionalism. Mel was also funny, kind and passionate. She was an inspiration to all of us, and our thoughts are with Mel’s husband and our much-loved colleague Hass at this terribly sad time.”