Richard Finlayson appointed head of ABC TV
Richard Finlayson is the new director of TV at the ABC, Mumbrella can reveal.
It is understood staff at SBS were informed that Finlayson, who is currently the chief operating officer, would be departing in an email today.
In an email congratulating him, SBS CEO Michael Ebeid wrote: “(Richard) will taking the next step in his career as the new director of television for the ABC starting on the first of July.”
The ABC informed staff at the public broadcaster this afternoon. In an email to staff managing director Mark Scott wrote:
Richard brings to the job deep experience in media and broadcasting with a career that has spanned, TV production and programming, business development, digital distribution and print journalism.
He joins us from our fellow public broadcaster, SBS where he has worked for more than seven years – currently as Chief Operating Officer and, prior to that, Director of Commercial Affairs. Richard was instrumental in driving cultural change and delivering audience-focused content through genuine cross-divisional and cross-platform collaboration.
As COO, he has championed a reshaping of SBS, redirecting operational resources to focus on creative capacity, leading its successful subscription channels (World Movies and Studio) as well as being responsible for key deals at SBS, including bringing the A League to free-to-air TV.
Finlayson is understood to be on leave until the end of the financial year.
He replaces Kim Dalton who left the ABC earlier this year.
Nic Christensen
“The ABC informed staff at the public broadcaster…” is a bit ambiguous. SBS is a public broadcaster, too.
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