Richard Finlayson has been announced as the ABC’s new Director of Television, moving across from the SBS after seven years as the broadcaster’s Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Finlayson brings extensive experience to the role, having overseen extensive structural reform within SBS.

As COO, Richard has championed a reshaping of SBS, redirecting operational resources to focus on creative capacity, leading its successful subscription channels (World Movies and Studio) as well as being responsible for key deals at SBS, including bringing the A League to free-to-air TV.

He is a current member of the Freeview and IAB boards and a strong advocate for public broadcasting.

Prior to SBS, Richard served as Director of Programme Acquisitions at XYZ Networks, then Australia’s largest subscription television production house, working programming strategy across seven channels. Previously, as Managing Director of Cox Inall Communications, Richard produced television for Prime, Seven Network and Network Ten and founded The Weather Channel as a joint venture with Austar.