Michael Carrington

As ABC Director of the Entertainment & Specialist Division, Michael Carrington oversees commissioning and distribution of the ABC's drama, comedy, Indigenous, music, children's, entertainment and factual content across its television and national radio networks, plus digital services such as ABC iview and ABC listen. Entertainment & Specialist also includes the specialist genres of arts, science, religion & ethics, education and society & culture.Michael is an award-winning broadcast executive who has worked across creative development, production management and commissioning of content in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. He joined the ABC in 2016 as Head of Children's & Education and in 2018 was appointed Head of Distribution, with responsibility for programming and programme acquisitions. In September 2018, he was appointed acting Director Entertainment and Specialist. He was formally appointed as Director in August 2019.Michael previously worked at Channel 10 and the Discovery Channel, before joining the BBC as Channel Controller and Creative Director of CBeebies. In a separate role as Chief Content Officer at Turner Broadcasting, he was responsible for content on the Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito. Before joining the ABC, Michael was also Chief Executive Officer of Zodiak Kids Studios.Michael is a first-generation Australian of Russian and English heritage. He grew up in regional NSW and is a strong believer in public service broadcasting. He admires great stories that represent and reflect the variety and richness of Australia's cultures and people. He championed the release of the ABC's inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines - Screen Content, in February 2021, which will ensure more diverse faces, voices, cultures and stories on Australian screens.Programmes such as Bluey, First Day, Total Control, Mystery Road, Stateless and Will Australia Ever Have a Black Prime Minister? demonstrate Michael's deep commitment to diversity and inclusion.Carrington is a member of BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television Arts, a member ACTAA (Australian Film Institute), the International Academy of Arts and Sciences (International Emmys), and a founding patron of the Children's Media Foundation. Carrington is a Board Member of MEDIARING. Show less «