It’s amazing to think that this time last year - just 12 months ago - multi channelling in Australia was limited to just ABC2, SBS NEWS and part time HD break aways from Seven, Nine and Ten. The SBS NEWS channel essentially played nothing more than non stop foreign news bulletins - the same news shown now on SBS ONE and TWO. The number of free to air channels was 7 full time and 3 part time channels.
In the last 12 months, we have seen Ten launch ONE HD, SBS switch from SBS NEWS to SBS TWO, Nine launch GO - the most successful multi-channel to date, and Seven launch 7TWO. In December, the ABC launched their 3rd channel ABC3. The channel count now is 11 full time channels.
In 2010, we will see more channels added. ABC last month announced their decision to launch a 24 hour news service using the ABC HD signal, while both Nine and Ten announced new channels as part of their 2010 programming package. Seven, when 7TWO was launched made a vague indication to the prospect of a 3rd channel but nothing more has been said.
ABC’s new news channel (which I’ll call ABC4 for now - the name may end up being ABC NEWS or NEWS TV (like they already have News Radio)) will be the 4th full time channel for the ABC, but it will come at the expense of ABC HD - which currently is a full time simulcast of ABC1 allowing a few shows to be seen in HD.
Both Nine and Ten are well into their plans for their respective third channels, but neither will be up and running prior to June 30. Now, it has come out that SBS are also looking into a 3rd channel (I’ll call it SBS THREE for now) which would be news based. That would mean that both the ABC and SBS would offer free to air full time news channels.
Assuming that Seven also launches a third channel in 2010 (and why wouldn’t they if arch rival Nine do, and Ten have one up as well), the total number of free to air digital channels will be 16 by the end of the year - with all 5 free to air networks having 3 channels, other than the ABC with 4.
Add to that, community TV which starts going digital in March (in Sydney, it will be digital channel 44), then some people will have 17 free to air digital channels.
Simon
Just so long as no Simpsons marathons run on this channel. If you know what i mean i can watch one or two in a row then i get bored, especially with the newer episodes. I think they should show the shows they didn't show and bring a couple of new australian comedies to the screens. Since Kath And Kim, we've had no good comedies. Give us a laugh. I Hope 7 launch a third channel this year. If they do and it's called 17, I Reckon it'd be on channel 70 (Or 60 here in Newcastle), or 71 (61).Hope that we get this third ten channel the same time metropolitan areas get it.laz
Thank goodness for 10 to bring another channel! About time they have a dumping channel for shows they don't show on 10...ie Supernatural, Dexter, Beverly Hills 90210 (not that i watch), Melrose Place (which i would probably watch).