Deirdre Brennan


NBCU rebrands Sprout as Universal Kids

US children’s channel Sprout has been renamed Universal Kids, though the brand remains as a daily programming block. Sprout parent NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Lifestyle Networks has made the move after acquiring DreamWorks Animation last year. The new look network, aimed at 2-11s, will launch on September 9, with DreamWorks Animation Television shows such as All […]

ABC3 locates Nowhere Boys movie

Australian kids channel ABC3 is bringing a feature-length version of its live-action series Nowhere Boys to television. The property, which Matchbox Pictures produces, has been successful as a series the ABC’s kids division, which is set to lose its controller, Deidre Brennan. Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows will now debut on ABC3 on Sunday, […]

Aussie pubcaster moving educational shows to ABC3

Australia’s pubcaster the ABC has decided to move its educational children’s programming to dedicated kids channel ABC3. The ABC says mobbing the shows from ABC1 will allow it to double its educational offering by increasing its programming block to two hours. Learning programmes will air on weekdays from 10am to 12pm during school terms from […]

ABC1 drops children’s programming

Australian broadcaster ABC1 will move children’s programming to dedicated digital channels as the country completes its digital switchover, it was announced today. From 2 February children’s programmes – including mainstay Play School, which has been broadcast on the ABC since 1966 and acquired shows including Peppa Pig (pictured) – will be transmitted on ABC3 and […]

ABC Australia rejigs management, ditches controller roles

Australian public broadcaster the ABC has reorganised its senior management structure and is dispensing with the role of individual channel controllers. From 2014 the new structure will mean that a ‘head of programming’ position will replace the individual channel controller positions. Two channel managers will assist the new programming chief. Brendan Dahill, currently head of […]

BBC Worldwide poaches ABC exec

BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand has tapped Australian pubcaster the ABC to find a new director of television. Natalie Edgar, currently ABC1’s deputy controller, takes up the role to replace Deirdre Brennan, who is going the other way to join ABC as kids TV controller next year. Edgar will oversee editorial for BBCWW Australia […]