ABC TV
Lizzie McDermid
ABC - the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC is a network spanning across TV, radio and the internet. Founded on July 1st 1932, the network is 81 years old as of this year (2013). According to the official website, "85% of Australians believe the ABC provides a valuable service to the community." The television branch of the ABC consists of several channels which all provide different programs and services.
ABC 1
This was the first TV channel founded by the ABC and is described on the official website as "Australia's pre-eminent provider of quality television," which offers a "diverse range of programming with a distinct Australian focus." The slogan for this channel is "think entertainment," and this reflects the content as ABC1 shows a mix of documentaries, comedy/drama series and interviews.
ABC 2
The next channel, ABC2 provides daytime programming for preschool-aged young children called ABC 4 Kids. After 7pm, the channel switches to "alternative entertainment programming for adults."
ABC 3
This is a more recently founded channel created in mid-2009 for school kids aged 6 - 15 years. It is "distinctively Australian, commercial-free and designed for maximum fun." It broadcasts daily from 6am - 9pm and has hosts or short animations/cartoons that are shown in between programs.
ABC News 24
This is a channel that broadcasts continuous news daily, commercial-free. It features "coverage of major breaking stories in Australia and around the world." It can only be viewed on an HD TV.
ABC iView
The ABC also provides an online service called iView which allows users to "catch up on the latest from ABC TV whenever you want to, in full screen." It offers viewers the ability to "watch [their] favourite TV shows on [their] computer, gaming device or internet-connected TV."
The ABC
Overall, the ABC provides a range of targeted programming for Australians of any age with any interest. The average audience of these channels are preschool-aged kids, school-aged kids, young adults, adults and also even elderly people. ABC aims to satisfy all ages and demographics, and has one of the largest loyal audiences in Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programming
The ABC are known for providing indigenous programming and resources, specifically tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers. ABC1 broadcasts a show entitled 'Message Stick', which is described as "a half-hour TV program about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles, culture and issues." It features "profile stories, interviews video clips, short films and cooking segments," and it also "provides a slot where special half-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander documentaries can be shown."
ABC online
ABC TV also has its own website which provides viewers with information on upcoming programming, extended details about shows, promotes all the ABC channels and provides a full TV guide as well as a special kids' TV guide. The website offers a newsletter service delivered weekly via email. It contains informations about all of ABC TV's programming, services and links to articles and pages from the official website as well as advertisements for current and upcoming shows. The ABC TV network also has a blog accessible via the official website that provides a quick user-friendly information on upcoming programming, specials, events and articles. It features posts and content from Twitter (@ABCTV), and Facebook.
Funding
The ABC is primarily funded by Australia's taxpayers, thereby its funding is controlled by the federal government. It costs taxpayers about $55 each per annum, which equates to 15 cents a daily. This number is an estimated 10% less than in the late 80's. The reduced funding has cost approximately 1000 jobs in the past decade.
Audience
ABC's audience consists of a wide range of viewers from many different demographics. The ABC prefers not to use ratings to measure the audience, instead reach is used. Contrary to many other entertainment organisations, the rating system, which is designed to determine the cost of advertising, is replaced by the reach system, which measures how many people within a week switch to the ABC. During peak viewing times the ABC averages about 620,000 viewers, which equates to 14% of peak prime time audience.
Regulation
Australian Parliament has issued the ABC with a charter of functions under the corporations act. Under this, the ABC must follow functions such as innovative and comprehensive broadcasting, deliver programs outside Australia, and promote the arts. These functions require the ABC to broadcast programs that are Australian and educational, transmit its content to overseas countries, and encourage or promote performing arts within the country.