Kinderkanal appoints managing director

Kottkamp takes over children's publishing co.

By ED MEZA

BERLIN -- Children's pubcaster Kinderkanal (KI.KA) has appointed Steffen Kottkamp as managing director, replacing Frank Beckmann, who is ankling in November to become program director at regional pubcaster NDR.

"Steffen Kottkamp is equally familiar with the public broadcasting system and the commercial production sector and, as a media educator, brings the ideal experience to lead KI.KA and maintain its successful course into the future," said Udo Reiter, head of regional pubcaster MDR, which oversees KI.KA.

The tyke channel, targeted at the 3-13 demo, is jointly operated by MDR parent ARD and fellow pubcaster ZDF.

Kottkamp has for the past three years worked as a producer for Berlin-based Studio.TV, which specializes in children's programming such as ZDF's educational skein "Loewenzahn," and is headed by former KI.KA topper Albert Schaefer.