BBC Worldwide has appointed Mark Smith as Global iPlayer Launch Director, effective end of September. In this newly created role he will lead the development of the proposed BBC branded international commercial video-on-demand (VOD) service. Smith joins from the BBC’s Future Media & Technology Division, where most recently he has been Acting General Manager for Programmes & On-Demand with responsibility for key BBC online products such as the UK BBC iPlayer, including overseeing the successful delivery of the latest version, released this week.
The Global iPlayer will capitalise on the demand for British programming by audiences around the world. It is scheduled to launch in 2011 subject to approvals. Smith will report to Luke Bradley-Jones, EVP, MD BBC.com.
Comments Bradley-Jones; “We’re thrilled to have Mark on board. His proven knowledge and experience in on-demand programming is exactly what we need to lead this exciting yet complex project. This new service is a key strand of our multiplatform content strategy and a great new opportunity for British shows.”
“Multi-platform viewing is now a familiar part of everyday entertainment for people all around the world,” Mark Smith adds. “The time certainly feels right to present audiences with a tailored international version of the BBC iPlayer service.”
Prior to his current role, Smith was responsible for the delivery of all BBC Vision's online propositions across all TV genres. Before joining the BBC in 2008, Smith worked for BSkyB, interactive TV startup Open Interactive and BT, where he worked on early VOD trials.
About BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, BBC Magazines, Home Entertainment and Global Brands. In 2009/10, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £145 million (operating profit before specific items) on sales of £1074 million (including Group revenue and the Group’s share of joint-ventures’ revenue).
BBC Worldwide was awarded with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in April 2009. This prestigious award for International Trade recognised the company’s substantial growth in overseas earnings and its commercial success at outstanding levels, based on 3 years’ trading results, which benefit the UK creative industries and ultimately the licence fee payer.
For more information please visit www.bbcworldwide.com