The former executive producer of the CBS Evening News With Katie Couric, Rome Hartman, "is joining the BBC to launch a new broadcast aimed at American viewers," Howard Kurtz reports.

The 7pm broadcast "will be offered on BBC's global channel and on BBC America." Katty Kay may anchor. More...

> Update: 10:43am: "The U.S.-anchored program represents a major initiative by BBC AMERICA, now in over 55 million homes, to showcase the best of BBC journalism for American audiences and it will be a cornerstone of the weekday evening schedule," the press release says. "In addition to overseeing the nightly newscast, Hartman will advise on and coordinate production of other U.S.-based and U.S.-facing newscasts for BBC AMERICA and BBC World News." Click continued to read the rest...




ROME HARTMAN APPOINTED TO CREATE SIGNATURE NIGHTLY NEWSCAST FOR THE BBC

The BBC has appointed former CBS News producer, Rome Hartman, to develop and serve as executive producer of a new BBC World News one-hour nightly newscast aimed at U.S. audiences, which will be available exclusively on BBC AMERICA and the 24-hour global BBC World News channel.

The U.S.-anchored program represents a major initiative by BBC AMERICA, now in over 55 million homes, to showcase the best of BBC journalism for American audiences and it will be a cornerstone of the weekday evening schedule.

In addition to overseeing the nightly newscast, Hartman will advise on and coordinate production of other U.S.-based and U.S.-facing newscasts for BBC AMERICA and BBC World News.

Multiple Emmy® Award winner, Hartman, was most recently executive producer of The CBS Evening News and a producer of 60 Minutes. He will base the new BBC World News broadcast out of the BBC’s news bureau in Washington, D.C., uniting the BBC’s world-renowned global reports with U.S. based presentation, analysis and comment. This signature newscast is scheduled to begin airing this fall.

Garth Ancier, President, BBC Worldwide America, says, “This is the perfect match. With more than 2,000 journalists and 250 correspondents, BBC News has the world’s foremost newsgathering operation and an unrivalled reputation for impartial, accurate and in-depth reporting. Rome is one of America’s most respected news producers. He will bring vast experience and passion to the BBC and its audience in America.”

Sian Kevill, Editorial Director, BBC World, says, “BBC World News currently attracts around 76 million viewers a week from around the world. This program will be a fantastic addition to the channel’s news schedules enabling us to tailor our programming for key regions and bringing us closer to our audiences.”

Rome Hartman adds: “It’s a true honor to join what is undoubtedly one of the best, most ambitious broadcast news organizations in the world. More and more Americans are seeking smart and sophisticated coverage of the world; coverage the BBC is uniquely capable of providing. Finding new ways to bring the fine work of BBC journalists around the globe to a growing American audience is an incredibly exciting challenge.”

He will report to Richard Porter, Head of News, BBC World and work closely with Sian Kevill, Editorial Director, BBC World, Garth Ancier, President BBC Worldwide America and Michele Grant, Senior Vice President, BBC News and Sport (US).