ABC Australia restructures ahead of kids channel launch

Australian public broadcaster the ABC has reorganised its kids department ahead of the launch of ABC3, its digital kids channel. Several new positions have been created including acquisitions and scheduling manager, a role being taken on by Emma Mungavin, previously programming manager at Nickelodeon.

The ABC has confirmed it will be commissioning content for the new channel and Simon Hopkinson, former president of the Australian Writers Guild, will be development and commissioning editor, responsible for developing shows ordered from third party producers.

Other new roles include an acquisitions and scheduling manager for preschool programming, which will be filled by Emma Dobinson, already an ABC staffer. Kerry O’Dowd has been promoted to key brand manager, another new role, and will manage off-air activity around key ABC shows.

Other appointments include Jan Stradling, who joins from Disney Channel as executive producer. Aaron Mulheron has been promoted to development and commissioning coordinator.

The ABC announced the channel, which is aimed at school-aged children, in April.  It will launch before end-2009.