Michael Carrington, who commissioned Bluey for ABC Australia, is retiring after three decades working in children’s media. 

Carrington started his career as a producer at Channel 10 in Sydney before moving to the UK, where he held a series of key kids content roles at companies including LEGO (head of TV & new media), Warner Media (chief content officer of Cartoon Network Europe) and Banijay Group (CEO). He was also the first creative director/controller of CBeebies (2007 to 2010), where he greenlit preschool hits such as In the Night Garden and Charlie & Lola. 

Going full circle, Carrington returned to Australia in 2016 to head up ABC TV. During his six years with the Aussie public broadcaster, he commissioned Ludo Studio’s megahit Bluey and also launched a Fresh Start Fund to support more than 200 local productions. 

For the past two years, Carrington has been consulting for various producers, including working with Australia’s HooRoo Studio to produce and distribute animated preschool series Kiki Can Fly. This was a great way to remain connected in the industry, without the intensity of an executive job, he says. 

“Most recently, I loved mentoring for the Asian Animation Summit,” he says. “That experience was a wonderful reminder of how much I value the creative and collaborative aspects of program development. Working with such talented producers across a great range of projects made the experience a fantastic way to transition out of a full-time career.” 

Reflecting on work life and some of his significant mentors, Carrington pays tribute to Penni-Anne Hamilton-Smith (Channel 10), Theresa Plummer-Andrews (BBC) and Vanessa Chapman (LEGO). “Their guidance has been a huge part of the success of the wonderful programs I’ve had the privilege of working on, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything they’ve shared with me along the way.” 

Carrington has permanently relocated to the UK and is searching for a new home. He plans to spend time with his loved ones, explore hobbies and travel more. “For now, I’m looking forward to embracing a slower pace, taking the time to appreciate the years of work behind me, and enjoying the adventures ahead.”