ABC Head of Entertainment joins Screentime

ABC TV’s Head of Entertainment Jennifer Collins has resigned to become Head of Non-Fiction at Screentime.

Managing Director of Screentime, Bob Campbell, said: “We are delighted to welcome to Screentime an executive of the calibre and experience of Jennifer. We look forward to her heading our non-fiction slate across all genres, including studio-based entertainment productions, comedy, panel shows and factual entertainment.

Jennifer Collins said: “This is a brilliant opportunity and I am very much looking forward to developing a brand new slate of shows for Australian networks. It’s an exciting time of change in the Australian media and I am thrilled to put my energy into a company that I have admired for many years.”

She leaves ABC next month to begin the role in the new year.

Collins has been in the role since April 2012, responsible for the development, commissioning and production of programming across ABC1, ABC2 and online including Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, Adam Hills Tonight, The Chaser Decides, Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery, The Agony of Life, Gruen Nation, Gruen Sweat, Gruen Planet and Kitchen Cabinet election specials.

She previously spent three years as Head of Factual where she commissioned hundreds of hours of factual and documentary content, including The Checkout, Poh’s Kitchen, and Who’s Been Sleeping in My House?

“Across all the roles I’ve taken up at the ABC over the years, I’ve never underestimated the privilege of working for the public broadcaster. I’ve had an extraordinary career at the ABC, enriched by the quality of the creative teams and colleagues both from within and outside the organisation. Personally it has been both rewarding and satisfying and I’ve been immensely proud of the shows I’ve been able to offer up to Australian audiences,” she said.

Director of Television, Richard Finlayson said, “Jen is not only a longstanding and much-loved member of the ABC TV team, she has been one of its strongest creative forces.

“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.

“Recruitment for a new Head of Entertainment will commence immediately and in the interim I have asked Sophia Zachariou to act in the role.”

Screentime also announced the promotion of Simon Steel to Head of Factual. Having been with the company for four years, Steel has developed and produced four series of RBT and Taking On The Chocolate Frog and has executive produced Outback Coroner.

In making the announcement Bob Campbell said: “Simon has built up considerable momentum with an innovative and commercial factual slate and will continue his great work in factual production, reporting to the Head of Non-Fiction.”

Simon Steel said: ”We have some really exciting shows in production at the moment and I am looking forward to continuing to build an even stronger factual slate next year.”