Garth Ancier

As President BBC Worldwide America, Garth Ancier is responsible for developing the BBC brand in the USA, on behalf of BBC Worldwide.

This includes overseeing flagship cable channel BBC America, now in 64 million homes; and working with US networks on behalf of LA-based BBC Worldwide Productions, to produce further shows and formats, following the huge success of Dancing with the Stars, one of the highest rated shows on American television.

He also manages BBC Worldwide's US TV and video sales business and, in the digital space, oversees bbc.com and content deals with third party digital platforms such as iTunes and YouTube.

Before joining BBC Worldwide in February 2007, Garth Ancier ran In2TV, the Warner Bros/AOL broadband television network.

Previously, he was Chairman of the WB Television Network from May 2004 until its merger with UPN in September 2006.

A key architect of America's fifth broadcast network, he also served as The WB's chief programmer from 1994 to 1999.

During that time he oversaw production of key hits aimed at teens and young adults such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven and Charmed.

He left WB in 1999 to become President, NBC Entertainment, where he scheduled hit series such as The West Wing and developed shows including Ed, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Scrubs and Fear Factor.

He later moved to cable giant Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc where he revitalized CNN with name brand programming such as American Morning and Anderson Cooper 360 and introduced a new raft of on-screen talent including Anderson Cooper, Aaron Brown and Paula Zahn.

On the entertainment side, he refocused TBS and TNT to serve distinct audiences and dramatically expanded the footprint of the Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network.

During the late Eighties Garth Ancier was a member of the Fox Broadcasting Company launch team, serving as the first President of Programming at the fledgling network.

He developed and scheduled programming that set pop culture trends including The Simpsons and Married…With Children.

A Princeton University graduate and native of New Jersey, he began his career as a radio reporter and executive producer but turned to television in 1979 when he joined NBC Entertainment for the first time.

He rose through the ranks to supervise top network comedies including The Cosby Show, Cheers and Golden Girls.