ABC TV head of entertainment Jennifer Collins resigns
The head of entertainment for ABC TV, Jennifer Collins, has resigned to take a new job with independent production company Screentime.
Collins will leave the public broadcaster at the end of the month and then join Screentime as head of non-fiction.
During her time as head of entertainment, Collins oversaw development and commissioning of programs across all areas, from documentaries, to arts and entertainment, comedy, sport, and events.
Collins also introduced programs such as Gruen Nation, The Chaser Decides and Annabel Crabb’s Kitchen Cabinet election specials featuring Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.
Before she was made head of entertainment in April last year, Collins was head of factual for the ABC and commissioned shows such as The Checkout.
“I’ve been immensely proud of the shows I’ve been able to offer up to Australian audiences,” she said.
Her departure comes just four months after Richard Finlayson – the former chief operating officer at SBS – moved to the ABC as director of TV.
Finlayson said Collins is a “longstanding and much-loved member of the ABC TV team” and “one of its strongest creative forces”.
He said: “She leaves a great legacy at the ABC; a stable of iconic entertainment brands and outstanding Australian talent. She will be missed but we wish her every success in her new role.”
Sophia Zachariou has stepped in as acting head of entertainment as ABC TV looks for a replacement.
Screentime is one of Australia’s best known production companies with an output including Underbelly, Cloudstreet, Crownies and RBT.
Well done Jen. ABC’s loss is very much Screentime’s gain.
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