ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor announced Thursday that he will leave the broadcaster on February 28 after two years in the executive role.
The head of the content division was appointed to the position in March 2023 by the now outgoing CEO, David Anderson, who will depart in March 2025.
It was a move intended to unite the audio and display teams into a single division, but they have since been separated once again following Oliver-Taylor’s departure.
“The chief content officer role at ABC, created in late 2022, was originally designed to oversee audio, digital and screen content.” Oliver-Taylor told staff.
‘Over the past year, the role and responsibilities have changed considerably – audio now reports directly to the CEO and some digital content has moved elsewhere.
“These changes, along with a redefined creative vision set by the Board, have prompted me to reflect on the future needs of the ABC.”
ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor (pictured) announced on Thursday that he will leave the broadcaster on February 28 after two years in the executive role.
Oliver-Taylor, who previously held senior roles at Netflix, Matchbox Pictures and Fremantle, went on to say it was “time” to leave ABC.
He explained that he had numerous conversations with the CEO and “reflected” on the “ongoing conversations with ABC’s board of directors and the president.”
“There is sadness in this decision, but also pride and enthusiasm for the list that will be implemented throughout 2025 and in future years,” he added.
The executive said he was “incredibly proud to have led the commission on shows” such as The Assembly, Austin, The Piano and Guy Mont’s Spelling Bee.
Other shows under his charge include I Was Actually There, The Family Next Door, Do Not Watch This Show and Portrait Artist of the Year.
“The ABC is a vital cultural institution that will continue to deliver world-class content,” continued Mr Oliver-Taylor.
“I will always be a strong supporter of the ABC and public broadcasting and am deeply grateful for my time here.”
He concluded by praising “the dedication of my colleagues at ABC and the production companies that contribute to their success.”
The head of the content division was appointed to the position in March 2023 by the now outgoing CEO, David Anderson, who will depart in March 2025.
Screen boss Jennifer Collins will take over as chief content officer from today, ahead of Oliver-Taylor’s departure on February 28.
In a note to the chief people officer, Mr. Anderson said that under Mr. Oliver-Taylor’s leadership, “ABC Content has delivered significant results for audiences.”
“This includes ABC TV Network reaching the number one television broadcaster position in 2023-24, with a reach of 36.4% or 6.6 million people in the five-city metropolitan population,” he said.
He later added: “(Mr Oliver-Taylor) has made the decision to refocus his efforts on other roles and I know he will continue to be a supporter of the ABC in whatever direction his career takes him.”
Oliver-Taylor’s departure from the network comes amid job changes at the station.
The most recent structural changes saw Sarah Macdonald unceremoniously dumped by the ABC late last year.
His departure was accompanied by that of Simon Marnie, who was also told his contract would not be renewed, while Richard Glover and Robbie Buck left their respective shows.
Ben Latimer, head of audio at ABC said ABC staff in a statement at the time said the changes were “driven by rapidly evolving audience expectations.”
It was a move intended to unite the audio and display teams into a single division, but they have since been separated once again following Oliver-Taylor’s departure.
“Change is never easy and of course the impact on some of our colleagues is difficult,” he wrote.
He added that decisions for the 2025 roster have been “carefully thought through and discussed” and noted that the ABC is “going through a significant transition period.”
In other changes to Radio Sydney’s lineup, Dom Knight will present Friday Drive and Saturday Mornings, while science and technology journalist Rae Johnston will present Sunday Mornings.
Chris Bath will also begin his new role presenting Monday to Thursday Drive and Charlie Pickering will present Thank God It’s Friday!
Macdonald, 59, announced his “disappointment” at leaving the ABC, telling his live audience: “I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year.”
‘The ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings… I’m proud of what I’ve done.
“Ratings are up, I’ve done a lot of stories, I had my first interview with the new Governor-General, I got the Premier of New South Wales to take his calls regularly, I led election coverage, I managed the move to our studios in Parramatta .’
Former Media Watch presenter Paul Barry took to social media at the time to express his disbelief at Macdonald’s dismissal after decades of service.
‘She’s brilliant, one of the best things about radio. WTAF,” Barry, 72, wrote in a social media post.
Morning show rival Ray Hadley also praised Macdonald.
“I don’t know Sarah Macdonald, but I do know one thing about her: she is a quality broadcaster and I would say quality broadcasters are in short supply on the ABC,” he told listeners.
Marnie’s emotional final show after three decades of performing was attended by hundreds of people outside Government House in Sydney in early December.
Among those attending were Robbie Buck, Governor General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley.
Buck, 52, told Marnie, “We love you…we’re going to miss you,” before quietly announcing that he was also dropping Tia off his show that same night.
“I wanted to thank you,” Governor General Mostyn told Marnie.