Hilary will be responsible for developing the operations of BBC America, including its and BBC America On Demand, and for any other digital channels and services associated with the growth of the brand in the States.
He will report to Jana Bennett, director of BBC TV channels, and Mark Young, president and chief executive of BBC Worldwide Americas.
During Hilary's four years at Comedy Central, the channel saw ratings and revenue grow by 24%.
Comedy Central has developed a taste for UK-developed talent, having recently snapped up comedian Jimmy Carr to make a version of his Channel 4 game show 'Distraction' as well as showing 'The Graham Norton Effect'.
Prior to his career in the US, he spent 19 years in the UK TV industry -- two of those spent at the BBC where he worked his way up to head of independent commissioning in 1999 for entertainment and comedy.
He secured deals with comedians Jonathan Ross, Steve Coogan and Mark Lamarr, as well as signing 'They Think It's All OVer' and 'The Alistair McGowan Show'.
According to Bennett: "His understanding of the American audience and British talent, together with his knowledge of the BBC and British programmes, makes him uniquely qualified to head BBC America."
Hilary said: "With continued investment, new talent, great creative ideas and the energy of the BBC brand, the future is very exciting."
Hilary will take up the new role with immediate effect.
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