ABC Managing Director Mark Scott has announced the appointment of Bruce
Dover as the new Chief Executive of Australia Network, the Corporation’s
international television service to Asia, the Pacific and the Indian
sub-continent.
“We are delighted that Mr Dover with his extensive media experience and
understanding of the region will be leading Australia Network”, Mr Scott
said.
“He joins the network as it continues to grow its audiences in 41 countries
– its mix of news, current affairs, education, lifestyle, drama and sport is
now available in more than 20 million homes across Asia, the Pacific and the
Indian sub-continent.”
Mr Dover’s career as a journalist, editor and business executive has
included senior appointments in print, television and new media. He has been
based in Asia on a number of occasions since the early 1980s whilst working
for Australian and international media companies. His activities in the
region have included executive roles with News Corporation and CNN. In 1986
he received the Graham Perkin Award as Australian Journalist of the Year.
“The ABC takes great pride in the role Australia Network plays in increasing
the awareness of Australia and Australian perspectives across the region”,
Mr Scott said.
“It is doing so in a crowded television landscape, with up to 200 other
satellite and subscription channels on offer and new digital media
technologies making rapid inroads. Mr Dover will bring the required
background experience and regional insights to this highly-competitive and
fast changing environment that will ensure the continued strength of the
network.”
Mr Dover said, “I look forward to building on the extraordinary work done to
date by the ABC in establishing this unique service promoting Australia’s
engagement in the Asia Pacific”.
“Australia Network represents an enormous opportunity to establish a
credible, authoritative Australian voice in the region. With the advent of
new distribution platforms and broadband technologies there is the potential
to bring the very best of Australian television to audiences living and
working in the most dynamic economies of the world today.”
Mr Dover will take up his appointment as Chief Executive of Australia
Network on 6 August and will be based in Sydney.
Mr Dover succeeds Ian Carroll, who was appointed the ABC’s Director of
Innovation earlier this year. He will report to the Director of ABC
International, Murray Green. ABC International brings together Radio
Australia, International Projects and Australia Network.
Australia Network is supported by funds from the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade as well as advertising revenue.