Turner appoints UK kids TV boss

Turner Broadcasting has handed the director of UK kids channels role to Sean Gorman.

Gorman has been at Turner for eleven years, previously as senior programming manager for its UK kids channels.

In his new role he will oversee acquisition, commissioning and on-air creative for a trio of channels: Cartoon Network, its preschool sibling Cartoonito and classic toons channel Boomerang.

He will report to Anthony Lukom, Turner Broadcasting System UK and Ireland’s vice president and general manager.

Jamie Ondarza, senior VP and general manager of Turner’s UK, French and Italian businesses said: “I’m particularly pleased about Sean’s appointment. It rewards his talent and the great job he has done in programming for Turner kids. It is great to rely on internal talent for strategic leadership positions. In 2013 our kids’ channels in the UK achieved their best audience performance ever.”

The appointment follows a period of change at Turner’s kids and wider business. Under the leadership of Gerhard Zeiler the channels operation has been restructured with new regional bosses appointed and headcount reduced in Europe and Asia.

On the kids side high profile departures included chief creative officer for the kids channels Michael Carrington, who is now at Hit Entertainment.

Turner said that Cartoon ranks first among boys 4-to-15 in the UK and the channel’s rating are up 60% year-on-year. Boomerang’s ratings are up 12 per cent year on year and the channel is number one for kids in the 4-to-9 demo.

Sean Gorman said: “I am delighted to be taking on a role which helps build and develop this great network. We have some of the best content in this sector and this is an exciting time for our business.”