ABC Chief Content material Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor can be leaving the broadcaster after almost two years within the function.
In a be aware to employees managing director David Anderson, who himself can be departing in March, mentioned, “Once we created the Chief Content material Officer in March 2023, we introduced all of our non-news content material groups into one division, ABC Content material. We made an necessary structural change to make sure the ABC might adapt to quickly altering viewers wants and market tendencies.
“Certainly one of Australia’s most profitable and skilled producers and content material leaders, Chris has been integral to that transition. Underneath his management, ABC Content material has delivered important outcomes for the general public throughout a difficult interval for the whole media business. This contains the ABC TV Community (all channels) attaining the primary ranked tv broadcaster in 2023–24, with a attain of 36.4% or 6.6 million folks throughout the five-city metro inhabitants.
“Final yr we elevated ABC Audio to a separate division, only one method wherein that construction has continued to evolve. In the meantime our Display screen and Digital content material groups have continued to fulfill the altering wants of audiences.
“Chris has made the choice to re-focus his efforts on different roles and I do know he’ll proceed to be an advocate for the ABC in no matter course his profession takes him in subsequent.”
His departure is the most recent in a line of administration and structural change. Underneath recently-appointed ABC Chair Kim Williams, former 9 CEO Hugh Marks begins in March.
Oliver-Taylor, who beforehand had administration roles at Netflix, Matchbox Photos and Fremantle, mentioned in a be aware to employees, “The Chief Content material Officer function on the ABC, created in late 2022, was initially designed to supervise Audio, Digital, and Display screen content material. Over the previous yr, the function and obligations have significantly shifted, with audio now reporting on to the MD and a few digital content material moved elsewhere. These modifications, together with a redefined inventive imaginative and prescient set by the Board, have prompted me to mirror on the ABC’s future wants.
“After discussions with the Managing Director and reflecting on my ongoing conversations with the ABC Board and the Chair throughout many months, I imagine this can be a second in time to permit the ABC to proceed to reset its construction. With a brand new MD, a renewed Board and what I feel is a really optimistic and hopeful future for the ABC, I’ve determined to make that tough determination and transfer on from the ABC for brand new alternatives outdoors of the ABC.
“There may be disappointment on this determination but additionally pleasure and pleasure with the slate that can roll out throughout 2025 and in future years. I’m extremely proud to have led the commissioning of applications in partnership with the impartial manufacturing sector and the ABC inside groups, like The Meeting, Austin, The Piano, Man Mont’s Spelling Bee, I Was Truly There, The Household Subsequent Door, Do Not Watch This Present and Portrait Artist of the 12 months to call only a few. I can’t wait to see them ship for audiences proper throughout Australia.
“The ABC is a crucial cultural establishment that can proceed to ship world-class content material. I’ll at all times be a powerful supporter of the ABC and public broadcasting and am deeply grateful for my time right here, in addition to the dedication of my ABC colleagues and the manufacturing firms that contribute to its success.”
Oliver-Taylor will end on 28 February, with Head of Display screen Jennifer Collins to step into the function of Director Content material from right this moment till additional discover.
