Channel 5 children’s head Jessica Symons is parting ways with the British free-to-air broadcaster’s Milkshake! preschool programming block, which she had managed since 2012.
Clair Robinson is now serving as interim head of children’s until a replacement is found.
Under Symon’s leadership, Viacom-owned Milkshake! achieved its highest viewing figures on record, including its best-ever share of kids viewing last year.
Symons was responsible for a number of original commissions, including the anticipated Absolutely Cuckoo-produced series Dave’s Dinosaurs, which signified Milkshake!’s first original commission to be snapped up by Nickelodeon in the US since Viacom acquired Channel 5 in September 2014 for US$726 million.
Other commissions under Symon’s watch include Shane the Chef and Winnie and Wilbur. Symons also led the launch of a number of live events, as well as the Milkshake! Magazine.
Prior to joining Channel 5 in 2006, Symons worked in theater management, as a script supervisor on feature films and in television production.