ABC Oz confirms entertainment boss

Australian pubcaster the ABC has confirmed the executive who has been acting director of its entertainment and specialist content division has the job permanently.

Michael Carrington

Formerly head of ABC Children’s, Michael Carrington had been filling the role since the departure last year of Rebecca Heap.

He continues to manage the ABC’s drama, comedy, Indigenous, music, children’s, entertainment and factual content across TV and national radio networks plus digital service iview. His purview also includes the specialist genres of arts, science, education, religion and ethics, and society and culture.

ABC MD David Anderson said: “Michael brings a track record of outstanding content and creativity to the leadership team and entertainment and specialist, which he has managed with great success over the past year.

“He is a talented and accomplished individual who has shown the ability to innovate and grow audiences through diverse content across multiple platforms. He is a champion of Australian stories and I am confident he will lead our world-class content team well into the future.”

Carrington added: “I’m determined to maintain the range and ambition of our Australian content and our commitment to the highest production and editorial standards. The ABC represents the diversity and richness of Australian culture across radio, television and online and I’m thrilled to be part of its future.”

He previously worked at the BBC as channel controller and creative director of the CBeebies channel and at Turner Broadcasting as chief content officer.

The pubcaster is yet to make permanent appointments to the positions of head of specialist and head of distribution, entertainment and specialist. These roles are currently held in an acting capacity by Richard Buckham and Cath Dwyer respectively.