BBC Studios Reshapes Asia-Pacific Presence for Future Growth

Imagine all your favorite British shows, from the quirky humor of Ghosts to the timeless adventures of Doctor Who, finding an even easier path to your screens across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. That's the big picture behind Bbc Studios' latest strategic move.

The company is merging its Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) and Asia businesses into one unified Asia Pacific (APAC) unit, bringing with it a fresh leadership vision.

TL;DR

• BBC Studios is combining its media and streaming operations in Australia & New Zealand and Asia into a single, unified APAC region.
• Robi Stanton, previously EVP and General Manager for ANZ, has been elevated to the new role of President, APAC Media & Streaming, leading this expanded division.
• This strategic merger aims to streamline operations, accelerate growth, and enhance the delivery of BBC Studios' content and experiences to audiences across the vast Asia-Pacific region.

A New Chapter for BBC Content Down Under and Beyond

BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC, just announced a significant shake-up in its global operations. On November 14, 2025, the company revealed a formal integration of its media and streaming businesses across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. This move creates a single, more cohesive Asia Pacific (APAC) region, designed to better serve a diverse and rapidly growing audience.

At the helm of this newly formed powerhouse is Robi Stanton, who has been appointed to the expanded role of President, APAC Media & Streaming. This isn't just a title change; it's a strategic realignment to ensure BBC content, from beloved dramas to engaging factual programs, reaches viewers more efficiently than ever before.

Robi Stanton Takes the Helm with a Clear Vision for Asia-Pacific

Robi Stanton is no stranger to the intricate world of international media. She joined BBC Studios in March 2025 as EVP and General Manager for Australia & New Zealand, quickly making her mark by playing a "pivotal role in reshaping the business across Asia Pacific." Source: [Indian Broadcasting World, "BBC Studios integrates media & streaming biz in APAC", November 15, 2025]. Her background is extensive, including senior leadership positions at CNN International (where she served as commercial director), Warner Bros. Discovery, and Turner International, working in both Australia and Singapore. Throughout her career, she’s been responsible for overall business management, driving transformation and leading teams across content, commercial, marketing, digital, and operations.

"Bringing BBC Studios’ media and streaming business in ANZ and Asia together under Robi’s leadership is a strategic step forward. Robi brings clarity, energy, and a sharp commercial lens to the region, and I’m confident this alignment will unlock new opportunities for growth and collaboration across APAC."

– Marcus Arthur, CEO, BBC Studios Global Channels, Streaming and UKTV

Stanton herself expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge, stating, "I’m excited to lead this next chapter as we build a more connected and agile business, focused on delivering world-class content and experiences to audiences across the region." Source: [The Music Network, "BBC Studios Merges ANZ and Asia Under New Leadership", November 14, 2025]. Her vision emphasizes agility and connectivity, crucial elements for navigating the fast-evolving streaming landscape.

Why This Merger Matters: Streamlining for Future Growth and Collaboration

The primary motivation behind this integration is clear: streamlining global operations and accelerating growth in key international markets. By consolidating the ANZ and Asia businesses, BBC Studios aims to create a more unified strategy for content sales, channels, streaming, and advertising across the entire APAC region. This could mean faster decision-making and more consistent content strategies.

The hope is that this consolidated approach will allow BBC Studios to leverage its extensive portfolio more effectively. With popular global brands like the children's sensation Bluey and the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who in its stable, and local successes such as Ghosts: Australia (which launched earlier this month), the company has a strong foundation to build upon. Source: [Deadline, "BBC Studios Merges Australia & Asia Teams", November 14, 2025].

While the focus is on a unified APAC strategy, local production remains robust. Kylie Washington continues to lead BBC Studio Australia Productions, which is responsible for a slate of popular local versions of formats, including Dancing with the Stars, Reckless, Mastermind, The 1% Club, Return to Paradise, The Great Australian Bake Off, and The Office Australia. This blend of global strategy and local execution is key to serving diverse markets.

Behind the Scenes: BBC Studios' Broader Strategic Shifts

This APAC merger isn't an isolated event; it's part of a broader series of strategic adjustments for BBC Studios. For instance, earlier this year, the company ceased its own production operations in India, instead opting for a multi-year deal with Banijay Asia. This suggests a careful evaluation of where and how BBC Studios can best operate and maximize its impact in different territories.

The BBC's commercial arm has been busy elsewhere too. Just yesterday (November 13, 2025), it hired Vice Studios UK boss Jamie Hall as its new scripted MD in the UK, a major role overseeing some of the biggest scripted labels. There was also news of a Disney Tech Exec joining BBC Studios to lead on AI, indicating a forward-looking approach to emerging technologies. These moves paint a picture of a company actively optimizing its structure and talent to stay competitive and innovative in a rapidly changing media landscape. Source: [C21 News, "BBC Studios to merge ANZ media and streaming unit with Asia business", November 14, 2025].

Addressing Potential Trade-offs: Local Relevance Versus Global Efficiency

Any large-scale merger naturally raises questions about potential trade-offs. One might wonder if consolidating operations across such a vast and culturally diverse region could dilute local focus or create a sense of detachment for country-specific teams. Will a centralized APAC strategy truly cater to the nuances of each market?

However, BBC Studios has preemptively addressed some of these concerns. Crucially, the company confirmed that there have been no layoffs due to this merger. Source: [Deadline, "BBC Studios Merges Australia & Asia Teams", November 14, 2025]. This commitment to retaining staff is a positive sign for continuity and local expertise. Furthermore, the goal is not to homogenize but to build a "more connected and agile business," which implies leveraging regional strengths rather than flattening them. Maintaining strong local production units, like the one led by Kylie Washington in Australia, also ensures that distinct market needs are still met with tailored content.

Example: A Fan's Perspective on Content Flow

Imagine a fan, let's call her Anya, living in Singapore, who loves British dramas. In the past, some BBC shows might have aired later in her region compared to Australia, or even been harder to find. With this streamlined APAC structure, BBC Studios aims to make the content pipeline more efficient. Anya might find new seasons of her favorite shows arriving on local platforms or through BBC's own streaming services more consistently and perhaps even sooner. This unified approach could lead to a more synchronized release schedule and better content availability across the entire region, ultimately making it easier for viewers like Anya to access the stories they love.

Practical Takeaways: What This Means for Viewers

• Smoother Content Delivery: Expect a more efficient and potentially quicker flow of BBC content to your screens across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
• Focused Regional Strategy: BBC Studios can now implement a more unified and powerful strategy for how its shows are sold, distributed, and promoted in the entire APAC region.
• Strong Leadership: Robi Stanton's extensive experience suggests a clear, commercially-driven vision for growth and content delivery in the region.
• No Staff Reductions: The company states no layoffs, meaning local expertise is being retained within the new, larger structure.

Frequently Asked Questions About the BBC Studios APAC Merger

What does "APAC" stand for? APAC is a common business acronym for "Asia Pacific," referring to the collective region of Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

Will I see more BBC shows now? The primary goal of this merger is to streamline operations and accelerate growth, which could very well lead to a more consistent and potentially expanded availability of BBC content across the region. While new shows aren't guaranteed to appear overnight, the foundation is being laid for better distribution.

Who is Robi Stanton? Robi Stanton is a highly experienced media executive who previously held senior leadership roles at CNN International, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Turner International before joining BBC Studios in March 2025. She's now the President, APAC Media & Streaming for the newly merged region.

Sources

• Deadline, "BBC Studios Merges Australia & Asia Teams," November 14, 2025. URL not provided in original input.
• C21 News, "BBC Studios to merge ANZ media and streaming unit with Asia business," November 14, 2025. URL not provided in original input.
• The Music Network, "BBC Studios Merges ANZ and Asia Under New Leadership," November 14, 2025. URL not provided in original input.
• Indian Broadcasting World, "BBC Studios integrates media & streaming biz in APAC," November 15, 2025. URL not provided in original input.