BBC America poaches IWC’s Kelehar

US cable channel BBC America has moved further into original unscripted production with the hire IWC Media’s head of factual entertainment Ricky Kelehar.

The exec takes up his post as VP, unscripted programming at the channel next month and will report Perry Simon, BBC Worldwide North America’s general manager, channels.

He will be based in New York and work closely with senior VP, programming Richard De Croce to develop new unscripted programming for BBC America.

At Zodiak Media-owned IWC, which is based in Scotland, Kelehar was head of factual entertainment and US formats. He recently created Gadget Man for Channel 4 via North One Television and previously worked in New York for the BBC as executive editor, factual entertainment.

BBCWW’ Simon said: “His experience developing and producing quality non-scripted programming will be a vital contribution to the network as we expand the channel’s unscripted slate.”