PRESS RELEASES
March 20, 2017

BBC Worldwide North America Appoints Sergei Kuharsky Executive Vice President, Franchise and Digital Enterprises

New York, NY — Sergei Kuharsky has been appointed Executive Vice President, Franchise and Digital Enterprises, BBC Worldwide North America.  Kuharsky, who joined BBC Worldwide North America in April, 2016 was most recently Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development.  Kuharsky will continue to report to Ann Sarnoff, President, BBC Worldwide North America.

In his new role, Kuharsky will be responsible for growing revenue across the businesses in BBC Worldwide’s Digital Enterprise and Franchise Management portfolio which includes e-commerce, home entertainment (DVD & EST), consumer products, live events, retail, and BBC Learning.  Additionally, he will pursue growth through building on existing partnerships and forging new ones for such key franchises as Top Gear, Doctor Who and BBC Earth.

“Sergei has an impressive track record of astutely building brands by seamlessly extending them into products and experiences that deepen fan connections,” said Ann Sarnoff, President, BBC Worldwide North America. “I’ve worked with Sergei on and off for many years and have no doubt that he will build the BBC brands and business across the U.S. and Canada.”

“I have the deepest respect for the quality and imagination of the BBC’s content,” states Sergei Kuharsky, EVP Franchise and Digital Enterprises, BBC Worldwide North America.  “Doctor Who and Top Gear, along with the remarkable Planet Earth II, are the gems within the BBC’s vast library.  I look forward to broadening partnerships to bring the fans of these and forthcoming series exciting new programs, products and experiences. ”

Kuharsky joined BBC Worldwide North America from Scripps Networks Interactive, where during his eight-year tenure as General Manager for Food Network he led the brand’s expansion strategy and built SNI’s consumer products portfolio.  This included their multi-million dollar magazine joint venture with Hearst, which produced the Food Network and HGTV magazines, and Food Network’s direct-to-retail program in 1,100 Kohl’s department stores across the U.S. Prior to SNI, Kuharsky was EVP, Sales and Marketing at In Demand Networks where he created and launched HD, MOD, and SVOD services including Howard Stern TV.  Formerly, Kuharsky held the position of SVP, Brand and Franchise Marketing at MTV Network’s Nickelodeon Channel where he created the industry’s first franchise management division, driving the growth of top-rated series such as Rugrats, Blue’s Clues, and SpongeBob, and resulting in billions of dollars in non-television revenue.  He also worked as head of marketing for both Warner Home Entertainment and Disney Home Video.

About BBC Worldwide North America

BBC Worldwide North America is the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) operating in the U.S. and Canada. The company exists to maximize the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the UK license payer and invests in public service programing in return for rights. The company operates four businesses in the territory – linear and digital content sales and co-productions, consumer products, BBC.com, and two production divisions – BBC Worldwide Productions, responsible for the smash hit Dancing with the Stars and the U.S. version of Top Gear; and Adjacent Productions, producers of Da Vinci’s Demons, Life Below Zero, and Ladies of London, among others. The company also owns a 50.1% share in cable channel BBC AMERICA through a joint venture with AMC Networks.

Press Contact:

Deborah Schonfeld
BBC Worldwide North America
Deborah.Schonfeld@bbc.com
212.705.9498