Garth Ancier, the former chairman of the defunct WB Network, has been named president of BBC Worldwide Americas’ U.S. operations, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Ancier is charged with expanding the brand’s U.S. presence, which will include rolling out channels to augment the flagship BBC America and developing new programming for the LA-based BBC Worldwide Productions. He will sit on the BBC Worldwide Americas board.
Ancier will also oversee the introduction of the company’s online delivery system, bbc.com—once it is approved. Ancier will be based at the broadcast company’s New York headquarters, reporting to BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith.
He chaired the WB from May 2004 until it merged with UPN in September 2006, when the CW was launched. Following his tenure with the WB, Ancier stayed within the Warner Bros. family, running the WB side of the Warner Bros.-AOL JV In2TV. As part of that move last September, Ancier also had a production company. His resume is one of the best around: inaugural president of entertainment, Fox; head of Disney’s TV production unit; entertainment president, NBC; EVP-programming, Turner Broadcasting.
—Industry Moves: Ancier To Head WB Side Of IN2TV