ABC TV Australia has consolidated its kids television programming department with two key appointments.

Barbra Uecker will take the reins as head of programming and acquisitions for children’s TV starting on April 1. Uecker is an internationally respected children’s broadcaster, who helped establish the German pubcaster KI.KA.

Additionally, Carla de Jong, an award-winning children’s television producer, will join ABC TV as commissioning and development editor for children’s TV on March 10. de Jong has spent the last two years in the UK working for BBC Children’s channels CBBC and CBeebies. She has also played a key role in securing international co-production and co-development opportunities for BBC Children’s News Factual and Learning Department.

Both will be reporting to executive head for children’s TV, Tim Brooke-Hunt.