Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) head of children’s and family content Libbie Doherty will leave the broadcaster in June 2024 after nine years of service. Commissioning editor Mary-Ellen Mullane will take over as head of children and family on an interim basis from mid-June.
Doherty joined the ABC as a commissioning editor in 2015, after working as a producer in the independent production sector. She was named acting head of children’s content in 2018, following the promotion of Michael Carrington to acting director of entertainment and specialist, before taking on the role permanently a year later.
Since then, Doherty has overseen in-house productions and is responsible for commissioning programs such as “Crazy Fun Park”, “First Day”, “My Year 12 Life”, “The Unlisted”, “Mustangs FC”, “Hardball”, “Beep and Mort, Ginger & The Vegesaurs”, “Tomorrow When the War Began”, and “Little J and Big Cuz”, as well as global juggernaut “Bluey”, which she executive produced.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved together as the children and family team,” Doherty said. “Our global partners have supported our vision and together we have put Australia on the map as a creative powerhouse. I am incredibly passionate about public service media, the ABC, and am excited to see what this dream team will do for the most important audience – our kids.”
ABC head of screen Jennifer Collins thanked Doherty: “Libbie leaves the ABC after an impressive nine years and we wish her the very best in her continued creative endeavors in the industry.”
Doherty's work as an executive producer has garnered five International Emmys, five AACTAs, and four Logies. In 2021, she was voted by the global children’s industry as their favorite broadcast or streaming platform partner in the inaugural Kidscreen Industry Awards and Outstanding Ally by the ABC Pride Group.
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