New York, NY – April 7, 2015 – BBC AMERICA has named Courtney Thomasma to the role of vice president, research. In her new role, Thomasma will be responsible for creating and executing ongoing research strategies for BBC AMERICA’s popular and award-winning content in order to build scheduling strategies and drive network growth, brand positioning and multi-platform viewing efforts. She was formerly director, research at SundanceTV.
Thomasma will continue to report to Tom Ziangas, senior vice president of research for AMC Networks.
SundanceTV and BBC AMERICA are both part of the AMC Networks channel group, with BBC AMERICA operated as a joint venture between AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide.
“Courtney has been an integral part of the team at SundanceTV,” said Ziangas. “We look forward to her continued insights in her expanded role at BBC AMERICA.”
BBC AMERICA is coming off its most successful year ever, with record delivery in primetime and among total viewers. Its 2015 programming slate underscores its commitment to creating some of the most dynamic programming on television, which includes returning series Orphan Black (April 18), Luther and Ripper Street, plus new series Tatau, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Last Kingdom and London Spy.
Prior to SundanceTV, Thomasma served as director of client solutions at Nielsen. Courtney began her career in research at Sony Pictures Entertainment. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications at Pepperdine University and received her master’s in film and television studies at NYU.
About BBC AMERICA
BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. A joint venture between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and AMC Networks, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including four Emmy® Awards, five Golden Globes® and 12 Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in 80 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online www.BBCAmerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist. Find out more by visiting www.Press.BBCAmerica.com/ or follow us on www.twitter.com/BBCAMERICA.