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).

Note to Editors

BBC World News will continue to provide distinct news bulletins for public television stations across the United States.

In the U.S., BBC World News is available 24/7 in just under 2.5 million homes on various cable platforms.

Rome Hartman joins the BBC from CBS News where, from November 2005 through March 2007, he was Executive Producer of The CBS Evening News and oversaw the launch of The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

Prior to joining that program, Hartman was an award-winning and prolific producer on 60 Minutes where he produced more than 100 reports, a figure reached by only four other producers in the 37-year history of the show. Hartman also served as the senior producer responsible for 60 Minutes II from January to early September 2005.

Before his 60 Minutes tenure, Hartman was the senior producer for the CBS Evening News in Washington, D.C. (1989-91) and CBS News� White House producer (1986-89). He first joined CBS News in 1983 as a field producer in the Atlanta bureau.

Hartman was born in West Palm Beach. He graduated from Duke University in 1977 with a degree in political science. He lives in Bethesda, Md., with his wife and two sons.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies and life-changing makeovers. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV. For up-to-the-minute information on BBC AMERICA, forthcoming U.S. premieres, art work and news from the channel, log on to www.press.bbcamerica.com.

BBC World News, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC�s commercial group of companies. BBC World News attracts 76 million viewers a week, is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 272 million households and more than 1.4 million hotel rooms. It is also available on 50 cruise ships, 37 airlines and 31 mobile phone platforms. For further information on how to receive BBC World, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit www.bbcworld.com