ITV kids controller Hughes steps down

Estelle Hughes has stepped down as controller of kids' programming at ITV as the broadcaster seeks to significantly cut output in the genre.

The cuts include a selloff of ITV's in-house children's production unit and a reduction in kids' output on ITV1 from eight to just two hours per week.

Hughes, who helped launch digital service CITV five months ago, said that she had "acheived everything I wanted to achieve" at ITV.

Director of television Simon Shaps added: "As well as maintaining CiTV's track record in the highest quality children's programming, she has also overseen the highly successful launch of CiTV, which in a few short months has established itself as one of the biggest players in a very competitive market place."

Hughes' role at ITV1 will now be taken by daytime controller Alison Sharman, while her leadership of CITV will be assumed by Steven Andrew, programming director for digital channels.