BBC Studios ups Robert Schildhouse in streaming rejig

BBC Studios has rejigged in North America by appointing BritBox International president Robert Schildhouse to a new role overseeing streaming in the region.

Schildhouse becomes chief of BBCS’s direct to consumer business, made up of BritBox in North America and documentary streamer BBC Select.

The move is part of BBCS’s “future growth ambitions” for streaming in North America, the company said, and comes after BBC Select was brought under Schildhouse’s leadership late last year.

Schildhouse took on oversight of BritBox following Reemah Sakan’s exit in 2024 and has overseen partnerships on shows including Blue Lights and the upcoming Tommy and Tuppence.

Tom Fussell, chief exec at BBC Studios, said the promotion and restructure was “testament to Robert’s leadership and to the scale of opportunity in North America for our direct-to-consumer operations and the strategic importance to BBC Studios’ future growth and investment”.

Schildhouse said: “This has been an incredible time of growth for both BritBox and BBC Select, following a transformative few years for both our streaming businesses,” adding that he is looking “to build on our momentum and serve passionate fans of British storytelling”.

The move follows a broader restructuring at BBCS that saw Zai Bennett taking on a new remit as chief exec of the new Global Content division, which combines sales and production.