Stuart Menzies to be the first controller of ABC2

The ABC has appointed Stuart Menzies, currently head of ABC TV Documentaries, as the first controller of digital channel ABC2.

The broadcaster’s announcement says that Menzies “will be responsible for the channel’s strategic vision, for all its commissioning and programming, and its branding. He will start in late July and be based in Sydney.”

Menzies joined ABC TV six years ago. Prior to joining ABC TV, Stuart was a partner and producer at Melbourne-based documentary producer December Films.

Kim Dalton, director of ABC TV said “Stuart will bring to this new role a long and diverse background in film and television along with a strong commitment to public broadcasting and Australian content.

“His overriding achievement at the ABC has been to put Australian independently produced documentaries back at the centre of our prime-time schedule and to develop consistent, at times very large and always appreciative audiences for them. I am confident Stuart will take ABC2 into its next chapter with large measures of both determination and imagination.”

Menzies said “ABC2 has enormous potential to grow and mature as a distinctive and unique channel. I am thrilled to be part of the team that will lead it forward.”

His appointment comes as part of the ABC management restructure previously announced by Dalton.

ABC2 launched five years ago, but with the arrival of Freeview has seen a growing reach although it still only accounts for about 2% of free to air TV viewing.