ABC2
Encyclopedia
ABC2 is a national public
television channel in Australia. Launched on 7 March 2005, it is the responsibility of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
's television division
, and is available nationally to digital television viewers in Australia. The channel broadcasts a range of original content supplemented with repeats of popular ABC1
programmes, notably children's programmes, magazine shows, and sport.
released a report, titled Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, recommending that the Australian Government
support the early introduction of digital broadcasting as a free-to-air
service with the loan of a 7 MHz channel for each broadcaster. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that it wished to run up to four multichannels at different times of the day or alternatively offer a high-definition television
service. The corporation claimed that up to A$100 million would be needed to prepare for these services, half of which would need to be government-funded.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched, in August 2001 the ABC Kids Channel
, with Fly TV
launching in November 2001. The two multichannels, available only through digital television, broadcasted a range of programming targeted at younger and teenage viewers. Funding issues meant that, in May 2003, ABC Television closed ABC Kids and Fly TV.
Unlike its predecessors, ABC2 launched on 7 March 2005 on channel 21, independent of government funding, instead running on a budget of A$3 million per year. The first programme in the launch schedule was an episode of Landline
- although scheduled to begin at 6.25am, the programme was delayed ten minutes. The channel was officially inaugurated by former Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan
, at the Australian Parliament House
in Canberra
on 10 March 2005.
was launched on 19 September 2006, becoming one the first programmes in its genre to be broadcast on free-to-air television in Australia. Similarly in the same year, programmes produced included Australia Wide
, Short and Curly, dig tv
and Late Night Legends.
Genre restrictions imposed by the Australian government
on digital multichanneling were lifted along with the media ownership laws passed through the Australian parliament
on 18 October 2006. Previously limited in the subjects it could cover, ABC2 was henceforth able to carry shows identified as comedy, drama, national news, sport or entertainment.
On 1 January 2008 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation announced the introduction of live coverage and programme content on ABC2 from the Australian Film Commission
, Opera Australia
, and the Australian Ballet
.
At 12:00pm on 8 February 2008 ABC2 was rebranded with a new slogan and yellow-coloured logo, complementing the new ABC TV logo, which was concurrently revamped as ABC1. The channel also moved from channel 21 to channel 22.
In order to allow automated operation of the channel without the complications of variable length live news broadcasts. Prior to the launch of ABC News 24
, ABC2 broadcasted hourly ABC News
updates produced for ABC Online. also to included the 7pm news on ABC1 primary channel. ABC2 also launched the morning show ABC News Breakfast
on 3 November 2008, a three-hour news program running every weekday. The program is now simulcast on ABC1
and ABC News 24
.
The channel also with former shows such as ABC Asia Pacific News, which is originally produced for the Australia Network
, In addition to these news programs, various ABC News and Current Affairs programs, which include Landline, Lateline
, Four Corners, Australian Story
and Foreign Correspondent
, are only aired on ABC1
, now they screen on ABC News 24
.
In May 2011, ABC News Breakfast
moved to ABC1
, with children's programming moving over to ABC2 and ABC3
respectively.
, Queensland Rugby League
, Victorian Football League
, South Australian National Football League
, West Australian Football League
, and the Northern Territory Football League
. The Women's National Basketball League
and W-League
Women's Football Competition is broadcast live on ABC2 every week. In addition to this ABC2 also broadcasts the Fed Cup
and the Tiwi Islands Football League
Grand Final annually.
transmitters in 576i
SD Digital
, as well as on most satellite and cable services.
ABC2 does not broadcast 24 hours a day. ABC2 usually closes between 1am to 2am and recomences broadcasting programs from 6am. During this time a written message appears advising viewers that programs have concluded for the day and that ABC2 is back on air at 6am. This is broadcast with ABC DiG
radio music playing in the background.
, the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
and the Northern Territory
. The "Big 2" was somewhat similar to the on air mascot of BBC Two
in appearance. ABC2's logo was modified for the promotion of the channels launch, and for various sporting events, notably the channel's launch, where the logo appeared under-construction, and during the promotion of Australians Women's Netball where it took on the appearance of a netball.
On 8 February 2008, ABC2 updated to a yellow logo, and slogan to Connecting 2, as well as moving its digital terrestrial broadcast from Channel 21 to Channel 22. In addition to this, the slogan More Choice, More Often was replaced with Connecting 2. After concerns in some sections of the media that the 43-year-old Lissajous curve
brand was to disappear completely, ABC management reaffirmed that it would remain in use by the corporation. On 1 April 2011 the logo was rebranded to look similar to that of the logo used by ABC1, and the slogan replaced with Always Brighter.
Public broadcasting
Public broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
television channel in Australia. Launched on 7 March 2005, it is the responsibility of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's television division
ABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
, and is available nationally to digital television viewers in Australia. The channel broadcasts a range of original content supplemented with repeats of popular ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
programmes, notably children's programmes, magazine shows, and sport.
Origins
The history of ABC2 can be traced back to 1998 when the Australian Broadcasting AuthorityAustralian Broadcasting Authority
The Australian Broadcasting Authority was an Australian government agency whose main roles were to regulate broadcasting, radiocommunications and telecommunications....
released a report, titled Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, recommending that the Australian Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
support the early introduction of digital broadcasting as a free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
service with the loan of a 7 MHz channel for each broadcaster. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that it wished to run up to four multichannels at different times of the day or alternatively offer a high-definition television
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
service. The corporation claimed that up to A$100 million would be needed to prepare for these services, half of which would need to be government-funded.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched, in August 2001 the ABC Kids Channel
ABC Kids Channel
The ABC Kids Channel was an ABC Television channel available to viewers of digital terrestrial television in Australia. Launched on 1 August 2001, the channel offered repeats of popular ABC Kids programmes both simulcast and timeshifted....
, with Fly TV
Fly TV
Fly TV was an ABC Television channel available to viewers of digital terrestrial television in Australia. The channel featured programming aimed towards teenagers and young adults. It was launched nationally on 1 November 2001, and aired alongside the children's-oriented ABC Kids Channel, which...
launching in November 2001. The two multichannels, available only through digital television, broadcasted a range of programming targeted at younger and teenage viewers. Funding issues meant that, in May 2003, ABC Television closed ABC Kids and Fly TV.
Landline (TV series)
Landline is an Australian national rural issues television program broadcast on ABC1. Presented by Anne Kruger, the program discusses rural issues regarding farming, mining and fisheries from around Australia...
- although scheduled to begin at 6.25am, the programme was delayed ten minutes. The channel was officially inaugurated by former Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan
Helen Coonan
Helen Lloyd Coonan is a former Australian politician, who was a Liberal member of the Australian Senate representing New South Wales from July 1996 to August 2011.-Early life:...
, at the Australian Parliament House
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
on 10 March 2005.
Late 2000s
Weekly video gaming and technology programme Good GameGood Game
Good Game is an Australian video gaming talk show television programme created by Janet Carr and Jeremy Ray currently on ABC2. It premiered on ABC on 19 September 2006...
was launched on 19 September 2006, becoming one the first programmes in its genre to be broadcast on free-to-air television in Australia. Similarly in the same year, programmes produced included Australia Wide
Australia Wide
Australia Wide was a rural-focused half-hour soft news programme produced by the ABC in Sydney. The programme was, up until mid-2007, produced by the Corporation's New Media and Digital Services division in Brisbane...
, Short and Curly, dig tv
ABC DiG
ABC DiG is a digital radio service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in November 2002, emerging from formats developed by Bill Gates and Phil Cullen at ABC Coast FM, which broadcast an Adult Alternative music format and was for many years ABC Radio's only continuous...
and Late Night Legends.
Genre restrictions imposed by the Australian government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
on digital multichanneling were lifted along with the media ownership laws passed through the Australian parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
on 18 October 2006. Previously limited in the subjects it could cover, ABC2 was henceforth able to carry shows identified as comedy, drama, national news, sport or entertainment.
On 1 January 2008 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation announced the introduction of live coverage and programme content on ABC2 from the Australian Film Commission
Australian Film Commission
The Australian Film Commission was an Australian government agency with a mandate to promote the creation and distribution of films in Australia as well as to preserve the country's film history. It also had a production arm responsible for production and commissioning of films for government...
, Opera Australia
Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
, and the Australian Ballet
Australian Ballet Company
The Australian Ballet is the largest classical ballet company in Australia. It was founded by J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1962, with the English ballerina Dame Peggy van Praagh as founding artistic director...
.
At 12:00pm on 8 February 2008 ABC2 was rebranded with a new slogan and yellow-coloured logo, complementing the new ABC TV logo, which was concurrently revamped as ABC1. The channel also moved from channel 21 to channel 22.
Controllers
As part of a revamp of the entire ABC Television network, the ABC2 hired its very first television controller. That being Stuart Menzies, currently the Head of ABC Documentaries. ABC 1 also hired its very first television controller, Brendan Dahill.- 2010-: Stuart Menzies
Programming
ABC2 is required by charter to meet certain programming obligations. Although it has a strong focus on comedic and lifestyle programming, it also presents documentaries and educational programmes, news and current affairs, children's shows, drama, and sports.News and Current Affairs (2005-2010)
ABC News 24
ABC News 24 is an Australian 24-hour news channel launched and owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The channel replaced the former ABC High Definition simulcast of ABC1 and commenced broadcasting at 7:30pm 5:30 on Thursday, 22 July 2010.-Pre-launch:The ABC announced in January 2010...
, ABC2 broadcasted hourly ABC News
ABC News (Australia)
ABC News is a national news service produced by the News and Current Affairs division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation - the division is responsible for all newsgathering and production of news output for ABC television, radio and online services...
updates produced for ABC Online. also to included the 7pm news on ABC1 primary channel. ABC2 also launched the morning show ABC News Breakfast
ABC News Breakfast
ABC News Breakfast is an Australian breakfast television programme which broadcasts on ABC1 & ABC News 24 from 6am - 9am on weekdays. The program airs live in all Australian timezones on the high-definition digital free-to-air channel ABC News 24...
on 3 November 2008, a three-hour news program running every weekday. The program is now simulcast on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
and ABC News 24
ABC News 24
ABC News 24 is an Australian 24-hour news channel launched and owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The channel replaced the former ABC High Definition simulcast of ABC1 and commenced broadcasting at 7:30pm 5:30 on Thursday, 22 July 2010.-Pre-launch:The ABC announced in January 2010...
.
The channel also with former shows such as ABC Asia Pacific News, which is originally produced for the Australia Network
Australia Network
Australia Network, originally Australia Television International and later ABC Asia Pacific, is a free-to-air international satellite television service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation since 2006. The television and online service broadcasts 24 hours a day on 7 days a week, to...
, In addition to these news programs, various ABC News and Current Affairs programs, which include Landline, Lateline
Lateline
Lateline is an Australian television news and current affairs program produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, airing weeknights at on ABC1. The program has developed a reputation for head-to-head debates on current issues and political interviews. Lateline is followed by its sister...
, Four Corners, Australian Story
Australian Story
Australian Story is a national weekly documentary series, produced and broadcast on ABC Television.Since 1996 Australian Story has featured many Australians from diverse backgrounds and reputations...
and Foreign Correspondent
Foreign correspondent
Foreign Correspondent may refer to:*Foreign correspondent *Foreign Correspondent , an Alfred Hitchcock film*Foreign Correspondent , an Australian current affairs programme...
, are only aired on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
, now they screen on ABC News 24
ABC News 24
ABC News 24 is an Australian 24-hour news channel launched and owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The channel replaced the former ABC High Definition simulcast of ABC1 and commenced broadcasting at 7:30pm 5:30 on Thursday, 22 July 2010.-Pre-launch:The ABC announced in January 2010...
.
In May 2011, ABC News Breakfast
ABC News Breakfast
ABC News Breakfast is an Australian breakfast television programme which broadcasts on ABC1 & ABC News 24 from 6am - 9am on weekdays. The program airs live in all Australian timezones on the high-definition digital free-to-air channel ABC News 24...
moved to ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
, with children's programming moving over to ABC2 and ABC3
ABC3
-Future shows:Programming confirmed for future broadcast will include:* After School Care * Bindi's Boot Camp * Bushwacked! * Dance Academy * Dancing Down Under...
respectively.
Sport
ABC2 broadcasts exclusive national coverage of many sporting competitions, which include the New South Wales Rugby UnionNew South Wales Rugby Union
The New South Wales Rugby Union is the organisation responsible for the sport of rugby union in most of the state of New South Wales, Australia...
, Queensland Rugby League
Queensland Rugby League
The Queensland Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League and selects the members of Queensland State of Origin teams....
, Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
, South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
, West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
, and the Northern Territory Football League
Northern Territory Football League
The Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
. The Women's National Basketball League
Women's National Basketball League
The Women's National Basketball League is the pre-eminent women's professional basketball league in Australia. It currently is composed of ten teams. The league was founded in 1981 and is the women's counterpart to the National Basketball League...
and W-League
W-League (Australia)
The W-League is the preeminent women's semi-professional football league in Australia. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League, with the eighth team based in Canberra...
Women's Football Competition is broadcast live on ABC2 every week. In addition to this ABC2 also broadcasts the Fed Cup
Fed Cup
Fed Cup is the premier team competition in women's tennis, launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Federation...
and the Tiwi Islands Football League
Tiwi Islands Football League
The Tiwi Islands Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.Australian Rules football is the most popular sport on the Tiwi Islands....
Grand Final annually.
Availability
ABC2 is available on all of ABC Television's digital televisionDigital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
transmitters in 576i
576i
576i is a standard-definition video mode used in PAL and SECAM countries. In digital applications it is usually referred to as "576i", in analogue contexts it is often quoted as "625 lines"...
SD Digital
Standard-definition television
Sorete-definition television is a television system that uses a resolution that is not considered to be either enhanced-definition television or high-definition television . The term is usually used in reference to digital television, in particular when broadcasting at the same resolution as...
, as well as on most satellite and cable services.
ABC2 does not broadcast 24 hours a day. ABC2 usually closes between 1am to 2am and recomences broadcasting programs from 6am. During this time a written message appears advising viewers that programs have concluded for the day and that ABC2 is back on air at 6am. This is broadcast with ABC DiG
ABC DiG
ABC DiG is a digital radio service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in November 2002, emerging from formats developed by Bill Gates and Phil Cullen at ABC Coast FM, which broadcast an Adult Alternative music format and was for many years ABC Radio's only continuous...
radio music playing in the background.
Logos
The channel launched with a three-dimensional logo of the numeral two. The previous idents were produced in part by Amanda Dennis (known for her work on Australia Wide, and Good Game), and were used in some form since the channel's launch, until the 2008 rebrand. ABC2's previous slogan was More Choice, More Often. All promos featured the "Big 2" placed in famous, and iconic Australian locations, such as Port JacksonPort Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
, the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is the name given to two adjacent buildings next to the Yarra River in South Wharf, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
and the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
. The "Big 2" was somewhat similar to the on air mascot of BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
in appearance. ABC2's logo was modified for the promotion of the channels launch, and for various sporting events, notably the channel's launch, where the logo appeared under-construction, and during the promotion of Australians Women's Netball where it took on the appearance of a netball.
On 8 February 2008, ABC2 updated to a yellow logo, and slogan to Connecting 2, as well as moving its digital terrestrial broadcast from Channel 21 to Channel 22. In addition to this, the slogan More Choice, More Often was replaced with Connecting 2. After concerns in some sections of the media that the 43-year-old Lissajous curve
Lissajous curve
In mathematics, a Lissajous curve , also known as Lissajous figure or Bowditch curve, is the graph of a system of parametric equationswhich describe complex harmonic motion...
brand was to disappear completely, ABC management reaffirmed that it would remain in use by the corporation. On 1 April 2011 the logo was rebranded to look similar to that of the logo used by ABC1, and the slogan replaced with Always Brighter.