Barbara Uecker, head of programming and acquisitions for ABC TV Children’s, is leaving the public broadcaster on Friday.
A six-year ABC veteran who was instrumental in the launches of ABC4 Kids and ABC3, Uecker tells IF she plans to take a break.
“I need a proper holiday and to recharge the batteries before I look at the opportunities that are out there,” she said. She was acting controller of children’s TV at ABC last year after Tim Brooke-Hunt stepped down, pending the arrival of head of children’s TV Deirdre Brennan.
During Barbara’s reign she launched local series including Matchbox Pictures' Nowhere Boys and Werner Film Productions’ Dance Academy and was executive producer of the new animated Bananas in Pyjamas.
“I have had a fantastic six years,” she said. “We have a great team in place and the channels are in great hands.”
Brennan said, “Barbara has made a significant contribution to both the ABC and Australian families who trust and rely on our children’s services. We wish her all the best for her next exciting role within the international children’s sector.”
Barbara was a key player in the establishment of German public children’s channel KI.KA and also worked for Germany’s ARD affiliate Sender Freies Berlin, where she produced programs for children, teenagers and family audiences. In 2005 she was appointed head of family, education and nature TV programs for ARD’s affiliate, Hessischer Rundfunk.
The ABC has not yet indicated who will replace her as head of programming and acquisitions.