16/12/2020

National Indigenous Television (NITV) has announced updates to its senior content editorial leadership team to support the continued growth and evolution of the channel, as it marked its eight-year anniversary of becoming available to all Australians free-to-air as part of the SBS network in December 2012.

Tanya Denning-Orman, a Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman who has led NITV since it joined SBS, was appointed SBS's first Director of Indigenous Content earlier this year. She continues to oversee management of NITV as a channel dedicated to Indigenous voices and perspectives, in addition to playing a key role in the development and delivery of First Nations storytelling across the SBS network.

NITV's senior leadership team includes Kyas Hepworth (nee Sherriff) who has been appointed Head of Commissioning and Programming for NITV. Since joining the channel as Senior Commissioning Editor last year, Hepworth has led NITV's commissioning, and in her new role, will lead the creative direction and delivery of NITV's distinctive offering across commissioned and acquired content, as well as its programming and scheduling to bring it to audiences. She will be responsible for NITV's biggest commissioned content offering in 2021, which includes the return of award-winning children's animation series, Little J and Big Cuz, and the premiere of drama series, Copping it Black.

Rhanna Collins, a proud palawa woman who has been with NITV since 2014, has also been promoted to Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, from her position as Executive Editor. Collins leads the commissioning and output for the channel's news and current affairs offering which includes NITV News, Nula and The Point, and provides a vital platform for Indigenous perspectives. It comes after a year that saw NITV significantly increase its output, providing essential news and information keeping communities informed and safe, and The Point attracted its highest audiences as it provided an authentic voice and perspective during the Black Lives Matter movement, exploring its resonance in Australia. Following the announcement, Lindy Kerin (Arrernte) has been appointed Acting Executive Editor, and Jodan Perry (Worimi & Wiradjuri) has also been promoted to Executive Producer of NITV's news and current affairs programs.

In recognition of the range of projects delivered across sport, lifestyle and entertainment programming on NITV, Latj Latji and Gurang Gurang man, Adam Manovic, has been announced as the Head of Indigenous Events, Entertainment & Creative for NITV. Adam has been Managing Producer at NITV since 2018, and has been working at the channel since 2008. He will continue to lead NITV's internal productions including Going Places with Ernie Dingo, events like NAIDOC, its sport offering including live events and football shows Yokayi Footy (AFL) and Over the Black Dot (rugby league), as well as oversee a growing number of activations covered and supported by NITV, while also managing marketing and creative for the channel.

Award-winning journalist and Western Arrernte woman, Karla Grant, will see her role shift in the new year to have a broader content focus as the Executive Producer, Living Black & Special Projects for NITV. She will remain the host of Living Black and Karla Grant Presents programs, while also expanding across other projects including working with the Indigenous production sector leading NITV's Our Stories content initiative, which provides opportunities for regional and remote factual stories across the channel.

Acclaimed Birpai-Dunghutti writer and journalist, Jack Latimore, is also stepping into the new interim role of Acting Managing Editor, from his current role of Digital Editor, to oversee news content across NITV's digital platforms as the channel's plans are further developed in the new year. Latimore also continues to co-host and produce NITV's weekly podcast, Take it Blak.

Announcing the updates this week, Denning-Orman said: NITV has had an incredible year, reaching more Australians than ever with powerful storytelling, entertainment connecting with audiences of all ages, and trusted news ensuring Indigenous voices are at the forefront of the issues impacting our communities.

I'm proud to have such a strong and experienced all-Indigenous content editorial leadership team steering NITV into its next phase of growth. Over the last eight years available free-to-air, we've firmly positioned the channel as the home of First Nations storytelling, and we want to continue to inspire more Australians with more world-class content in the years ahead, championing the voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

It's an exciting time for NITV, and for First Nations media in Australia, as we continue to grow and deliver more stories celebrating our culture and achievements, by and for our mob, and inspiring all Australians.

To read a PDF version of this media release, click here.

LINK:	https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/national-indigenous-television-announce...
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