BBC Studios today announced the promotion of Rebecca Glashow to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer, Global Distribution. She will take up the position on 1 March and  becomes a member of BBC Studio’s Executive Committee on the same date.

Glashow previously held the post of President, BBC Studios Americas from June 2020, overseeing the strategy and performance of the company’s commercial activities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. In this role she was responsible for the launch of documentary streaming service BBC Select and BBC Podcasts and in September, oversight of global digital news was added to her responsibilities.

Under Glashow, BBC Studios Americas has positioned itself for growth, expanding its relationships with partners, strengthening its portfolio, launching OTT and subscription services, embedding a new leadership team and cementing its place as a leading distributor of premium content to major networks and streaming platforms, in the last year licensing over 1,500 hours of programming including such noted series as I May Destroy You, Small Axe, The Green Planet and hit kids show Bluey.

In her new role,  Rebecca takes expanded responsibilities for  BBC Studios’ global distribution portfolio (ex-UK & Ireland), encompassing content sales, direct to consumer services, international channels, co-productions as well as continued responsibility for the growth of BBC’s digital global news.

Rebecca Glashow said, ‘I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role. I’m hugely passionate about the BBC and see great opportunities for further commercial growth and building new audiences for our world class content.’

Tom Fussell, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Studios said, ‘Rebecca’s promotion reflects her successful leadership style and thoughtful strategic approach which has grown and expanded the BBC Studios Americas’ portfolio of diverse businesses.  I am delighted she will spearhead our next phase of growth across our Global Distribution division. She’s a fearless leader, full of ideas and energy for bringing outstanding British content to viewers around the world, to meet our global ambition.’

Paul Dempsey takes new role as Director of Performance

Rebecca’s promotion comes as Paul Dempsey, President, Global Distribution at BBC Studios, has chosen to take up a new role as BBC Studios’ Director of Performance. Paul led BBC Studios’ international distribution operation for 10 years, and enjoyed many successes in the role including growing content sales by 50%, more than doubling investment in content. launching re-branded channels and extending their reach across the world, pioneering new markets, especially China and India and leading the expansion of Britbox.

Of his new role, Paul Dempsey said, ‘‘It has been a long held ambition of mine to move into a role specialising in individual and team performance. As our company embarks on the next stage of its growth story, I can’t think of a more exciting or relevant time to be moving into this new area.’

Tom Fussell, CEO BBC Studios said, ‘I’m pleased that Paul will be passing the baton to Rebecca with the business in such good health. I’d like to pay tribute to his many commercial successes. I am thrilled that Paul will be our Director of Performance, showing our commitment to supporting world-class performance at a time of major growth opportunity for the company.  We are fortunate to have someone of Paul’s talents leading this for the whole of BBC Studios.’  

Notes to Editors:

Throughout her career, Rebecca Glashow has been widely recognized for her digital leadership, serving to spur both growth and expansion at top entertainment companies.  Prior to joining BBC Studios – Americas, she served as Co-Head of Viacom’s Awesomeness, leading all business operations and revenue endeavours   embracing sales, marketing, research, distribution, and production.

While at Discovery Communications Glashow rose to SVP, Digital Distribution & Partnerships, overseeing strategy/operations for Discovery’s digital video business, the launch of Discovery’s suite of mobile apps, OTT services, interactive experiences, and streaming content offerings.

As Executive Producer of Netflix’s Trinkets (Netflix), she was honoured with a 2021 Daytime Emmy® Award which won for Best Young Adult Series.  She also executive produced the global Netflix hit film To All the Boys: PS I love you and Always and Forever.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear and Doctor Who. BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, provides up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features to more than 139 million unique browsers each month. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further seven countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world.  It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.