PBS SoCal, home of ‘Downton Abbey,’ hires veteran network exec

PBS SoCal, the local home of “Downton Abbey,” is bringing in a network veteran to help beef up operations.

The former KOCE-TV - which became Southern California’s leading PBS outlet after KCET-TV left the network more than two years ago - has tapped Andy Russell as chief operating officer. He will report to PBS SoCal President and Chief Executive Mel Rogers.

Russell, a native Californian and Stanford grad, has spent 18 years working at PBS and the Corp. for Public Broadcasting.

“Andy brings vast experience in strategic programming content, new business development and digital [and] interactive media for public TV and radio, making him the perfect person to help drive our growth and guide our strategic direction,” Rogers wrote in a statement.

PBS SoCal has seen higher ratings in the wake of “Downton Abbey,” the hit period piece that has revitalized prime time for PBS stations around the country.

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Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT