Sophia Zachariou, ABC TV's deputy head of entertainment and executive producer of Gruen, Kitchen Cabinet and The Checkout, is departing in January.
In eight years with the broadcaster, Zachariou has overseen the development, commissioning and production of programs across many genres including Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey, Media Circus, The Chaser’s War on Everything, the Kitchen Cabinet election specials featuring Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott, the Agony series, Saturday Night Crack Up and the ABC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.
She also developed unique digital formats such as Canberra al desko with Annabel Crabb, a big hit on ABC iview, and she was the international format executive for the ABC brand The New Inventors when it was sold internationally.
“I’ve been immensely proud of the shows I’ve been able to offer up to Australian audiences, but it’s time for me to take on new challenges outside of the ABC,” she said.
Richard Finlayson, Director of ABC TV, said, “Sophia is a long-standing and much-loved member of the ABC TV team and one of its great creative forces. She leaves a great legacy: a stable of iconic entertainment brands and outstanding Australian talent."
Zachariou was appointed to her current role in early 2014 after being acting head of entertainment between the departure of Jennifer Collins and the arrival of Jon Casimir.
The ABC is yet to name a replacement.
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