ABC Oz gets green light for new kids channel

Australian public broadcaster the ABC will get funding to launch a digital kids channel, ABC3, the Federal Government has confirmed. Kim Dalton, the free-to-air broadcaster’s director of programming, said that it will be commissioning new content for the channel as well as using programming already screened on the main ABC channel.

Dalton said: “As well as the popular ABC Kids programs currently screening on ABC TV, we’ll be commissioning and acquiring new material for the channel, working closely with the independent production sector,” he said.

The ABC said the addition of a kids channel to its digital line-up should also boost the wider take-up of digital TV in Australia. ABC3 will join the ABC’s suite of digital channels, which includes simulcasts of the main ABC1 and ABC2 channels as well as an ABCHD high definition offering.

Mark Scott, ABC Managing director, said: “It is wonderful that in this new era of digital television, the ABC will deliver a dedicated channel for children, available free of charge and without advertising, in every Australian home.”