More moves at ABC as Doherty becomes head of children’s production

Acting head of children’s content Libbie Doherty is now ABC’s head of children’s production.

THE ABC has had Doherty as its acting head of children’s content for the past year, ahead of the official appointment.

ABC has appointed Libbie Doherty as head of children’s production as the staff movements continue at the public broadcaster.

Doherty, who has been with the ABC broadcaster for four years, will commission more than 350 hours of content across the ABC’s two children’s television channels, which reach up to 94 per cent of Australians under 15 years, in her new role.

Doherty has been acting head of children’s content for the past year, working on ABC programs including Bluey and First Day.

“Libbie has been an invaluable member of ABC Children’s, bringing huge levels of innovation to the team and leading many successful diversity projects such as International Day of the Girl and the DisRupted initiative,” said Michael Carrington, acting ABC director of entertainment & specialist.

The move comes just over a month after the public broadcaster tapped Virginia Trioli for the high-profile hosting role on its Melbourne Mornings radio program.

Trioli, who has been ABC television’s News Breakfast co-presenter since 2008, will take over from Jon Faine at a yet-to-determined date.

Barrie ­Cassidy, the outgoing host of ABC’s flagship political television show Insiders, is reportedly going to be replaced by Sky News David Spears. ABC hasn’t confirmed the appointment of Spears, who is under contract with Sky News until the end of the year.

The appointment of a new Q&A host is believed to be months away, with Tony Jones staying around for the remainder of the year. Jones’ is moving to China with his wife and former Four Corners host and incoming ABC Beijing bureau chief Sarah Ferguson.

Four Corners has been without a host since February, when Ferguson’s move was publicly announced.