ABC’s Michael Brockman to Resign Post : Network: The non-prime-time programmer cites ‘philosophical difference of opinion’ with management.

Michael Brockman, president of late-night, daytime and children’s programming at ABC, said Friday that he will exit his post after 18 months with the network, citing a “philosophical difference of opinion” with management.

A successor was not immediately named.

In unrelated program areas, meanwhile, ABC said Friday that it would be replacing “China Beach” with “Under Cover” in January, a series from the creators of “China Beach” about U.S. government spies. And CBS said that it was placing its low-rated first-year mystery series, “Over My Dead Body,” on indefinite hiatus to make room for “Sons and Daughters,” a family drama.

Brockman would not comment on whether he had been fired or quit.

“There really is a philosophical difference between myself and the management in the way I thought the areas (late-night, daytime and children’s programming) would need to move in order to show growth,” he said in an interview. “It’s just that--a simple difference of opinion.”

Brockman declined to be more specific, saying that revealing the details of the disagreement could “tip competitive positioning” for the network. But he added that “it’s not been a hostile and horrendous relationship here by any means; the guys have been terrific. I look back at the past year and a half with tremendous affection; it’s been a great deal of fun. Obviously, I wish there could have been a little more of an agreement.”

Brockman, who has overseen non-prime-time TV at all three networks, joined ABC in April, 1989, leaving his post as CBS’ vice president of daytime, children’s and late-night programming, where he helped launch the ill-fated “Pat Sajak Show.”

The newly created position at ABC gave him unprecedented autonomy in the non-prime-time arena; Brockman reported directly to ABC-TV Network Group President John Sias, rather than to the president of the entertainment division. At ABC, Brockman launched the network’s late-night entry “Into the Night With Rick Dees,” which is currently struggling in the ratings but has been picked up though mid-April.

ABC’s only comment on the situation was a terse statement Friday confirming Brockman’s departure. “We appreciate his contributions to (his) programming areas, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the statement said.

In the prime-time arena, ABC said that “Under Cover,” which stars John Denison and Linda Purl as a married couple who are spies, will premiere Jan. 7 as a two-hour movie, then will take up its regular 10 p.m. Saturday slot on Jan. 12. “China Beach” will be on hiatus, the network said.

Hiatus is also in store for CBS’ “Over My Dead Body,” which stars Edward Woodward. Beginning Jan. 4, “Dallas” will move from 10 p.m. to 9 p.m.