Martin Markle, CBC Television’s senior director of children’s content, is no longer with the pubcaster after less than a year on the job, according to Playback’s sister publication Kidscreen. 

Markle returned to CBC in September 2015 to lead Kids’ CBC following the departure of longtime children’s content creative head Kim Wilson last April. He’s since been overseeing the development and production of all Kids’ CBC content across linear and digital platforms. And he was also at the helm of Kids’ CBC upcoming rebrand to CBC Kids in winter 2017.

Markle’s departure was confirmed by CBC head of public affairs Chuck Thompson. “We’ll have a transition plan in place by the end of today that will see us through the next couple of months while we determine who will lead Kids’ CBC going forward,” he said.

The role has seen its share of upheaval over the past 16 months. CBC programming GM Sally Catto temporarily oversaw the children’s department in the time between Wilson’s departure and Markle’s return.

From 2003 to 2006, Markle was executive in charge of production for the children’s and youth department at CBC Television, where he evaluated pitches and oversaw original comedic youth programming from development to delivery. He then worked as an independent producer under the Markle Productions banner, which played a hand in several animated productions for Comedy Central and the original kids series JiggiJump, which airs on Kids’ CBC.

Among his duties since re-joining the pubcaster last year was overseeing the unit’s rebrand, which will bring a sharpened focus on interactivity across platforms while introducing new content, hosts, puppet characters and a revamped set. (As part of those changes, this fall marks the last season on the network for longtime Kids’ CBC host and associate producer/writer Patty Sullivan.)

When the channel rebrand was announced earlier this summer, Markle noted that the new block will lead with fun, interactive and uniquely Canadian stories and that new content, including interstitials, will be reflective of how kids are consuming content today, whether on YouTube or through social media.

From Kidscreen