BBC Worldwide combines sales and production under Telegdy

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 01-Apr-08, 15:35

LONDON - BBC Worldwide America has streamlined its sales and production operations under the direction of Paul Telegdy, executive vice-president of content and production.

The move is part of a plan to sell more shows and formats to US outlets, following the success of 'Dancing with the Stars', which Telegdy oversaw.

Telegdy will now direct all TV sales and co-production deal-making for the BBC's US division, as well as production.

Telegdy has worked for the BBC in Los Angeles since 2004, during which time he has overseen the US adaptations of hits such as 'Dance Wars: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann', 'Clash of the Choirs' and 'Viva Laughlin', as well as 'Dancing with the Stars'.

He will report to Garth Ancier, BBC Worldwide America president. He said: "It makes great sense for us to cross-pollinate the TV sales business with our content and production arm."

Steve Macallister, the BBC's managing director of global TV sales, said the move would allow for "a stronger framework for creating highly exportable co-productions" from the US.

In a separate move, Telegdy will be joined by Susanna Pollack, senior vice-president of TV sales, co-productions and children's programming.

Pollack will be responsible for sales across all genres and will report jointly to Telegdy and Gill Pritchard, head of Kids TV for BBC Worldwide.