ABC’s children’s content boss Michael Carrington appointed interim distribution boss
Michael Carrington, head of children’s content at the ABC, has been appointed interim head of distribution for entertainment and specialist.
Carrington will fill the role held by Rebecca Heap, who will depart the national broadcaster after four years on June 1.
Carrington will work as acting head of distribution
The children’s content boss has previously worked at the BBC as channel controller and creative director of CBeebies. He also commissioned and was executive producer on programs such as In the Night Garden, Charlie and Lola and LazyTown.
Given Carrington’s new responsibilities – which include handling the ABC’s TV channels as well as iView, ABC listen and radio national – commissioning editor of ABC Children’s, Libbie Doherty, will take over as head of children’s content during this time.
Doherty joined the ABC in 2016 from the independent production sector, where she worked as producer and director on various projects.
David Anderson, ABC’s director of entertainment and specialist, said Carrington had reinvented content.
“He has championed multi-genre programs underpinned by important themes, such as healthy lifestyles, gender equality, disability or diversity, while enabling our viewers to have fun and to laugh out loud,” Anderson said.
“Michael has a wealth of experience, having worked for broadcasters and production companies in Australia, the UK, Europe and the US as a scheduler, program buyer, producer and commissioner. He has worked across commercial and public sector broadcasting, and has been the creative force behind many popular children’s programs and characters.”
