ABC TV Kids' Programmer Jumps Ship
A media release from ABC TV (January 16) announces the resignation of one of television’s institutions: Deirdre Brennan, the programmer of one of the Corporation’s most successful wings: kids' TV.
According to the release, director of television, Kim Dalton, said he was sorry to see Brennan leave after "more than 20 years of stellar service."
Brennan isn’t hanging about either: her resignation is effective January 31 and she will - according to an ABC spokesperson - be joining kids' TV rival, cable channel Nickelodeon. When you look at the figures (not something the ABC is supposed to care about, but of course does) it's instantly apparent why they appear to have made her an offer she can’t refuse.
According the the ABC: "In 2006, ABC Kids achieved monthly shares of up to 65% of 0-4 year olds weekday mornings (8.00-8.30am) and 81% of 5-12 year olds weekday afternoons (4.30-5.00pm)."
If Brennan could generate numbers like that for Nickelodeon she’d be worth her weight in gold, never mind nickel.
