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ABC appoints new Children’s TV exec

Michael Carrington, CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios, to return to Australia for exec role at ABC.

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ABC has announced Michael Carrington to the role of Head of Children’s and Education, replacing Deirdre Brennan who departed earlier this year.

Carrington, who grew up in Parkes NSW, is currently Chief Executive Officer of Zodiak Kids Studios, working in London and Paris.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in the children’s television industry, from production and program acquisition roles to channel management and content commissioning.

His previous roles include Vice President, Global Content & Executive Producer – HIT Entertainment Ltd; Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network; Channel Controller, CBeebies – BBC; as well as various roles at LEGO Media, Discovery Communications, Amazon Films and Network TEN.

Richard Finlayson, Director of ABC TV, said, “Michael brings to the ABC a wealth of knowledge and international experience in children’s television. We look forward to working with Michael in the important new role of Head of Children’s and Education, as we continue to lead the way in sharing trustworthy, entertaining and educational content with our youngest audiences.”

Carrington said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Zodiak Kids. It’s a company full of great people with huge ambitions and an inspirational leader in Jean-Philippe Randisi. However, when the call came with the offer to return to the place of my birth, Australia, to take up this exciting and challenging new role for the ABC, I couldn’t say ‘no’.

“The ABC has several fantastic children’s channels, the renowned ABC KIDS iview app, and first class talent both in front of and behind the camera. I’m really looking forward to joining them and playing my role in building upon their success in engaging and inspiring generations of Australian children.”

A start date has not been revealed but he begins in coming months.

2 Responses

  1. Children’s programming could easily be among the most profitable for the ABC if they’re willing to invest in it.

    International shows like Avatar: Last Airbender/Legend of Korra, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure Time and so forth are all able to hit it big with both young and old audience, bringing it big on both dvd and merch sales.

    What Australia needs is an animated series with the budget and quality of international standards to get big with geekdom.

  2. This is terrific news. Michael Carrington is one of the best children’s TV executives in the world with a fantastic understanding of public and commercial broadcasting. The ABC is very lucky to have someone of this calibre return home. Well done ABC and Richard Finlayson.

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