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ABC TV Head of Online to depart

The man who led ABC's iview launch is moving on from the ABC.

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2014-05-19_1409This will be a big loss….

Arul Baskaran, Head of Online and Multiplatform for ABC TV, will depart to pursue new opportunities in digital media.

Baskaran has led ABC TV’s digital innovations for nearly a decade, being instrumental in the launch of the much-loved iview platform and digital properties, particularly for ABC3 and ABC4Kids.

iview has grown from 122,000 monthly visitors in 2008 to more than 1.3 million today, and expanded to 13 platforms including tablets and mobile, gaming consoles and connected TV devices. With more than 19.5 million program plays, it is Australia’s most widely used internet TV service.

Baskaran was also responsible for ABC3 and ABC4Kids portals, commissioning games, interactive content and apps, several of which won international awards, and helped commission ABC’s first ‘straight to on-demand’ programs for iview, the Fresh Blood comedy initiative, Wastelander Panda, and Noirhouse, a web festival-winning comedy.

“It’s been a privilege to work at the ABC and to lead our digital expansion, especially with iview which is now a household name in Australia,” said Baskaran.

“I’ve had the chance to head an exceptional team working on innovative products and I look forward to the next challenge.”

ABC’s Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, said: “After nearly a decade with the ABC, Arul’s contribution to the growth of iview has been simply outstanding. He has grown a market-leading platform from virtually nothing to one that supports more than 200 million views a year and he leaves the ABC ideally positioned for the next phase of digital transformation. We wish him every success in his future ventures.”

Prior to joining the ABC in 2004, Baskaran worked in New York and Europe for digital agencies with a focus on broadband services and interactive production.

4 Responses

  1. “…it is Australia’s most widely used internet TV service.”

    For good reason. It is outstandingly well done and maintained. Nothing else comes close.

    I’m not sure if BBC’s iPlayer is an influence or in any way connected, but it garners similar levels of praise for many of the same reasons. Providing the service that viewers want, in a simple straight-forward interface, available on multiple platforms.

    How other Networks manage to get this so wrong is a mystery.

  2. Any chance of him improving the resolution of iView before he leaves? Doesn’t need to be HD, just the same as SBS’ catch-up stream.

  3. One of the unsung heroes that none of us would recognise on the bus. I use iView all the time (most often to catch up on Good Game, Spicks & Specks and The Checkout). It’s been brilliantly done and is a real leader in its field.

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