ABC nabs Essential’s O’Neill for factual post

Australia’s ABC Television has hired an LA-based Essential Media & Entertainment executive to become its commissioning editor, factual.

Michael O’Neill (pictured) will join the Australian pubcaster on April 4 to join its factual team, which ABC TV head of factual Steve Bibb runs.

At Essential, he was VP, unscripted development. On his watch, more than 60 hours of television were commissioned by broadcasters in the US and Canada.

He was also co-executive producer on National Geographic Channel’s The Human Experiment and executive producer of historic restoration series Restored. He has also worked on projects for the likes of Discovery Canada, Discovery Networks International and Disney.

Back in Australia as head of unscripted development for Essential’s local production arm, he worked on ABC1’s Dingo: Wild Dog at War and Getting Frank Gehry among other programmes.

“I’m delighted to welcome Michael to the Factual team,” said Bibb. “His passion for storytelling and his ability to spot a really good idea will help cement ABC TV’s position as Australia’s leading factual and documentary destination. He joins a dynamic and ambitious team.”