MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC?s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has appointed Steve Macallister, senior vice president and managing director of Buena Vista International Television, Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), to the role of MD Global TV Sales. Macallister joins BBC Worldwide in July.

Reporting to BBC Worldwide CEO, John Smith, Macallister will sit on the board at the BBC?s commercial arm and be responsible for the exploitation of intellectual property around the world of more than 40,000 hours worth of programming from Worldwide?s catalogue. He will also manage BBC Worldwide?s annual sales event, BBC Showcase.

At BVITV-AP, Macallister was managing the regional business of Disney?s international television distribution arm.

Smith says, ?I am delighted to welcome someone of Steve?s calibre to manage the Global TV Sales business and to join the BBC Worldwide Board. Steve?s achievements in programme distribution, which remains a core part of our business, will be invaluable to Worldwide as we grow and develop over the next few years.?

Macallister says, ?I am excited to be joining BBC Worldwide during this period of rapid development in the media industry and look forward to working with John and the team.?