BBC America boss Garth Ancier leaving

Garth Ancier is leaving BBC America after three years. In a note to staff Ancier said a search for his replacement was underway, but gave no clue as to his next move.

He will leave in March, but become a non-executive director at BBC America.

 “Garth has simply transformed our business in the US and we are tremendously grateful for all he has achieved,” BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith said in a statement.

BBC America, the US cable channel owned by BBC commercial arm BBC Worldwide, is now in 65 million homes. During his tenure Ancier introduced a local news show, BBC World News America, and recently announced plans to introduce the English-language BBC kids channel CBeebies to the US for the first time.

Last month Ancier told TBIvision he was also planning to get BBC America more deeply involved in coproduction with a view to securing programmes with longer runs than are typical in the UK (most of BBC America’s programming is sourced from the BBC).

Ancier gave no hint as to where he will move to. He has a huge level of network TV experience having previously run the entertainment divisions of Fox, NBC and The WB.