BBC Studios is merging its Australia & New Zealand and Asia media and streaming businesses into one APAC regional operation in an effort to streamline its global infrastructure.

Robi Stanton, who joined the company in March as EVP and GM for Australia and New Zealand, has been selected to lead the merged team as president of APAC media & streaming. Before joining BBC Studios, she served in executive distribution and franchise development roles at WBD, and most recently was a commercial director of content sales and strategic partnerships at CNN.

Robi Stanton, president of APAC media & streaming.

BBC Studios tells Kidscreen that the team merger will not have an impact on kids content or related staffing in the region.

This merger is aimed at accelerating BBC Studios’ growth in both of these APAC markets. One of BBC Studios’ most successful productions, Bluey, is made in Australia. And the company’s ANZ team has produced series including The Great Australian Bake Off for local streamers. Speaking of which, CBeebies is streaming around the world, including in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

This restructure comes as Britain’s pubcaster is undergoing cost-cutting efforts to cope with market contraction and high inflation. Part of that effort involves a plan to cut 500 BBC positions by the end of March.

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