ABC confirms new Director of Television

ABC has now officially announced Richard Finlayson as its new Director of Television, as revealed exclusively on TV Tonight on Good Friday.

He replaces Kim Dalton who exited in February.

ABC Managing Director Mark Scott confirmed the name in an email to staff today:

Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Finlayson as the ABC’s new Director of Television.

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.

He is a current member of the Freeview and IAB boards and a strong advocate for public broadcasting.

Prior to SBS, Richard served as Director of Programme Acquisitions at XYZ Networks, then Australia’s largest subscription television production house, working programming strategy across seven channels. Previously, as Managing Director of Cox Inall Communications, Richard produced television for Prime, Seven Network and Network Ten and founded The Weather Channel as a joint venture with Austar.

Richard brings to the ABC expertise in creative and change management and an ability to plot a course in a dynamic media environment.

ABC Television has become a pace-setter in the digital era with four networks – ABC1, ABC2, ABC3 and ABC News 24, plus the number one catch-up TV service, ABC iview.

With a talented team and an injection of funding, ABC TV now leads the way in children’s television and Australian drama. With a raft of successful and award-winning programs, including Redfern Now, The Slap and Rake, Richard is keen to build on that great tradition, to get the best out of our creative talent both internally and externally, and to add to ABC TV’s cross-platform and digital innovation.

Regards
Mark Scott