Herb Scannell to run BBC Worldwide America

The BBC has appointed former Viacom executive Herb Scannell to run its US commercial business, BBC Worldwide America. Scannell, a former president of Viacom-owned Nickelodeon Networks and vice-chairman of MTV Networks, will take up his new job as president of BBC Worldwide America immediately. He will sit on the executive board of the corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. He replaces Garth Ancier, who left BBC Worldwide America in March after three years running the business. Scannell will be responsible for flagship cable channel BBC America, BBC America HD, BBC Worldwide's US production operation, BBC.com, US sales and distribution of programming and formats, and DVD and other merchandising. He was most recently chief executive of Next New Networks, a digital media company he co-founded in 2006. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".