ABC

Viewers around Australia have enthusiastically taken to ABC TV’s new internet TV service, with thousands trialling ABC iView in the 24 hours since it was unveiled to the public.

By midnight of Thursday 24 July, the iView homepage had recorded a total of 58,000 visits and 130,000 views. More than 2.3 Terabytes of files were transferred from the ABC secure server for the iView service.

ABC Director of Television, Kim Dalton, says the response to the new service has been wonderful. “This confirms our belief that Australians want quality content on a variety of platforms and the ability to watch this content at a time that suits them. We are confident that they will appreciate the choice that ABC iView gives them.”

ABC TV has begun the next phase of television broadcasting in Australia with the launch of its free internet tv service, ABC iView.

ABC iView is a new way to watch tv. No longer tied to the television set, Australians now have access to a quality, high-resolution, full-screen viewing experience on their computer. At the click of a mouse, viewers can choose what to watch, when to watch, and where to watch ABC content from five channels.

iiNet today announced it will include the ABC's new iView service completely quota-free for all customers. ABC iView is an innovative new platform that enables web users to view ABC programs online. Including the content quota free in iiNet?s Freezone means that iiNet customers can stream and watch ABC iView content without affecting their monthly download quotas. “Being able to provide great content through ABC iView completely quota-free means our customers can now get more value out of their monthly quota,” iiNet Chief Technology Officer, Greg Bader said today.

“For example, if you wanted to watch a one hour episode of Doctor Who on iView, you would expect this to use around 200MB of your monthly quota. Having this in the iiNet Freezone frees up our customer?s quota for everyday emailing, browsing and downloading.”

February 21, 2008

ABC TV AND FILM AUSTRALIA GREEN LIGHT MORE HISTORY PROGRAMMING
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Film Australia and ABC TV last night announced plans to continue their 'History Initiative' partnership to produce another 10 hours of programming that aims to significantly contribute to Australians' understanding of themselves and their history.

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV announced the new commitment in Perth at the Australian International Documentary Conference, and it will take effect from July 1, 2008.

"The first major series from the "Making History" partnership was Constructing Australia, which screened last year on ABC TV, achieving an average audience of over 1.5 million viewers, and we're immensely proud of it. The series included the programs - The Bridge; Pipe Dreams and A Wire Through The Heart." said Dalton.

ABC TV has undergone a transformation. No longer is it just a single channel but two distinctive television channels – ABC1 and ABC2. And it's also not just about broadcast television any more at the ABC as they've launched the only comprehensive range of programs available online in Australia. Underpinning this change in direction is a complete rebranding of the network to support its activity as Australia’s only multi-platform, multi-channel, free-to-air broadcaster.

Director of Television, Kim Dalton, says in 2008, ABC TV will give viewers more choice than ever. “We are helping to reshape the way people use and interact with television by giving them more programs, more ways to view them, and more flexibility around when and how to watch them.

It's a smart move by the network and a shows that they seem to understand the new digital environment and the changing habits of viewers. It's definitely a step in the right direction.

For more information about the new shows and features of ABC1 and ABC2, check out the full press release or watch the new idents for the channels.

ABC TV will today unveil its highly anticipated, new on-air look, as it launches its 2008 season as Australia’s leading multi-platform broadcaster.

No longer just a single channel, this year, ABC TV offers two distinctive television channels – ABC1 and ABC2, and the only comprehensive range of programs available online. Underpinning this is a complete rebranding of the network to support its activity as Australia’s only multi-platform, multi-channel, free-to-air broadcaster.

Director of Television, Kim Dalton, says in 2008, ABC TV will give viewers more choice than ever. “We are helping to reshape the way people use and interact with television by giving them more programs, more ways to view them, and more flexibility around when and how to watch them.

2007 ABC TV RATING HIGHLIGHTS

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said the outstanding performance by the network this year, which sees its second highest ratings share on record, was underpinned by two factors – the strength of our Australian programming and our great strides in expanding our on-line and digital delivery.

“I made a commitment to increasing levels of Australian content. I think this year’s figures, with 14 or our top 20 programs being Australian, has vindicated this approach. The figures demonstrate that Australian audiences want more Australian programs in all genres.

ABC TV & AFC ANNOUNCE FURTHER FUNDING FOR YOUNG DOCO MAKERS

ABC Director of Television Kim Dalton has announced a further $300,000 will be provided for young documentary makers, under the jtv docs initiative. The announcement was made in Brisbane yesterday at a special public screening of two jtv docs.

ABC TV and the Australian Film Commission (AFC) are again putting out a nationwide call to emerging filmmakers, who are 35 years and under, to submit proposals for finance to fund several one-hour or half-hour documentaries.

“This third instalment of funds demonstrates ABC TV’s continued commitment to its younger audience, while helping develop Australia's up-and-coming independent filmmakers,” said Kim Dalton.

ABC TO LAUNCH NEW CHILDREN'S TV CHANNEL IN APRIL 2008

The ABC plans to have a dedicated free-to-air children's TV channel on
air by April 2008, providing commercial-free children's programming.

The ABC has welcomed the Government's commitment to provide $82 million over four years to fund the channel, which is a joint proposal put forward by both the ABC and the Australian Children's Television Foundation. The ALP is also considering the proposal.

ABC Director of Television, Kim Dalton, speaking from the Screen
Producers Association of Australia Conference on the Gold Coast, said
ABC3, as the new channel will be known, will be a tremendous addition to the entertainment choices available to Australian families.

"Australian parents know and trust the ABC brand because of the quality and educational value of ABC Children's TV. We will build on that reputation in providing this dedicated commercial-free children's