Paul Robinson exiting KidsCo

TBIvision understands that Paul Robinson, managing director of the KidsCo kids channel is in the process of leaving the company and an NBC Universal executive, Hendrik McDermott, has been appointed as interim managing director.

KidsCo gave TBIvision a statement that read: “Paul remains in our employment and there is no further comment.”

However, it is understood that Robinson has been replaced on a day-to-day basis by McDermott, who had the title of director of business development and strategic planning, NBC Universal International at the Comcast-owned company.

The channel is a three-way joint venture between NBC Universal, Cookie Jar and Corus.

Robinson could not be reached for comment, but it is known that he owns a small stake in the kids channel operator, which launched in 2007 and is in 95 territories. Another member of the launch team, Chris Borde, also has a small share in the channel and NBCU owns a 26.7% stake.

Market watchers have speculated that NBCU would like full control of KidsCo and that could involve buying out one or both of its remaining partners. Should that happen, and NBCU wanted to incorporate the company, it would need to buy out minority shareholders.