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ABC names Michael Carrington as temporary successor to Rebecca Heap

Michael Carrington.

ABC head of children’s content Michael Carrington will move to the new role of acting head of distribution for entertainment and specialist, starting on June 4.

This follows the resignation of Rebecca Heap, who departs this Friday after four years with the public broadcaster to pursue new opportunities.

Libbie Doherty, currently commissioning editor for ABC Children’s, will be acting head of children’s while the ABC undertakes a search for Heap’s successor.

Carrington will be responsible for the TV channels ABC, ABC Kids, ABC Me and ABC Comedy plus ABC iview, ABC listen, Radio National and a suite of children’s digital products.

ABC director of entertainment and specialist David Anderson said: “Since joining the ABC as head of children’s in 2016, Michael has reinvigorated our content by focusing on Australian programs that stimulate our audience’s imaginations and curiosity.

“He has championed multi-genre programs underpinned by important themes, such as healthy lifestyles, gender equality, disability or diversity, while enabling our viewers to have fun and to laugh out loud.”

Before joining the ABC Carrington served as CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios in the UK and France, which produced series such as Mister Maker and Floogals, and as chief content officer at Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network Europe/MEAA, where he won an International Emmy for The Amazing World of Gumball.

Earlier he spent six years at the BBC as channel controller and creative director of the CBeebies preschool channel. He also commissioned and was executive producer on the BAFTA-winning programs In the Night Garden, Charlie and Lola and LazyTown.

Doherty, who joined the ABC in 2016, has commissioned a raft of shows including Nowhere Boys, Mustangs FC, My Year 12 Life and Good Game SP. She will work closely with Jan Stradling, ABC children’s executive producer of internal productions.