He will be charged with the development of a commercial version of the BBC iPlayer and will have a brief to make BBC programming more widely available through partnerships with mobile and internet providers.
The new role will also include forging partnerships with recording artists and their record companies.
The iPlayer will let people to pay to download television and radio programmes for an initial period of seven days, allowing viewers to catch up with programmes online they have missed on TV, challenging DVR players, such as Sky+.
Danker will report to the David Moody, BBC Worldwide managing director of digital media and director of strategy.
The BBC has been involved in a series of trials to deliver television to audiences through new digital platforms.
Danker said: "New distribution platforms will give audiences what they really want -- access on-demand to an unprecedented choice of programming. The quality and breadth of BBC Worldwide's catalogue, and our global reputation as a distributor, means we are in a great position to work with platform owners and producers to generate new income streams in this space."
His role will be taken by Lisa Cfas, the current head of business affairs in the independents and children's unit at the BBC.
Moody added: "Simon brings to this new role a wealth of experience. His proven track record in developing strategies for TV sales, building relationships with third parties and his knowledge of new-media distribution make him perfect to join this increasingly important area of the business. I'm delighted to have him on board."
Earlier this month, the BBC agreed a deal with broadcast rights firm Infront Sports & Media to allow UK viewers to watch all of its World Cup coverage live on broadband free of charge.
The broadcaster also agreed a deal with both broadband home entertainment company Homechoice and telecoms firm BT to provide video-on-demand services.
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