Carrington appointed ABC kids boss

Children’s TV veteran Michael Carrington is leaving his role as CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios to become head of children’s and education at ABC in Australia.

Michael Carrington

Carrington, who began his TV career in the children’s department of Network Ten in Australia in the 1980s, will begin at ABC in a few months, relocating from Paris and London to Sydney.

The former CBeebies and Cartoon Network exec replaces Deirdre Brennan, who left ABC to join Corus Kids in Canada earlier this year.

Carrington joined Zodiak Kids in 2014 to oversee its European production business, having previously worked for Hit Entertainment and, before that, Turner, where he exec produced series such as The Amazing World of Gumball.

As controller of UK preschool channel CBeebies between 2006 and 2010, Carrington commissioned acclaimed programmes including In the Night Garden, LazyTown and Charlie & Lola. He has also held roles at Lego Media, Discovery Communications and Amazon Films during his career.

“Michael brings to the ABC a wealth of knowledge and international experience in children’s television,” said ABC’s director of television, Richard Finlayson.

“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,” said Carrington.

“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,” he added.