BBC confirms Tranter's move to the US

BBC fiction controller Jane Tranter is to move to the US and join BBC Worldwide Americas as executive vice president of programming and production based in Los Angeles.

In June, DS reported that Tranter was considering accepting a role with the corporation's commercial arm in America. Speculation grew in August when it was reported that HBO had also offered Tranter a role.

Today, the BBC said that Tranter will accept joint responsibility for BBC Worldwide's North American production unit with existing executive vice president of content and production Paul Telegdy.

Wayne Garvie, managing director of content and production at BBC Worldwide America, said: "Jane Tranter is one of the most gifted television executives of her generation. She will be a beacon for British talent looking to succeed in the US. Jane and Paul Telegdy will form one of the most innovative, energetic and successful partnerships in Hollywood and take our existing American production business to another level."

BBC director of vision Jana Bennett paid tribute to Tranter's work leading BBC Drama. "Jane Tranter has been an unequalled force in British drama," she said. "Over the years I have worked with her, BBC Drama has gone from strength to strength. She has reinvented family drama in Dr Who, Robin Hood and Merlin and launched acclaimed contemporary series such as Spooks Life on Mars as well as Cranford. She stands for bold decision making and backing the best work from writers, performers and directors, across the range of scripted output: from the single drama to classic adaptation to cutting edge comedy and Film. She will be a great addition to the vibrant world of US television."

Tranter will leave her current role in London at the end of this year, starting her LA-based job on January 1, 2009. Ben Stephenson will take over as controller of BBC Drama Commissioning with immediate effect.