ABC introduces two new channels - ABC Family and ABC Entertains
The new channels will replace ABC TV Plus and ABC ME.
The ABC is launching two new channels in June – ABC Family and ABC Entertains – and four new digital streams that will bring together kids, family, and general entertainment titles.
The four new digital streams delivering live action, animation, education, and family content will launch with the new channels on ABC iview on 3 June.
The new channels will showcase ABC's catalogue of family and entertainment programs and feature new titles and original premiere Australian commissions such as Hard Quiz Kids hosted by Gold Logie-winning comedian Tom Gleeson launching on ABC Family in June.
ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said the changes are designed to enhance audience experience and boost discoverability.
“The multichannel changes are designed to simplify and modernise the ABC channels and form part of the ABC’s overall content strategy to adapt and evolve in line with changing audience trends and behaviours,’’ he said.
"The ABC is uniquely placed to offer audiences the best range of entertainment and family viewing and having two clearly defined channels plus new digital streams that will make it even easier for Australians of all ages to discover and enjoy their favourite ABC content.”
ABC Family, which replaces ABC TV Plus, is designed for family viewing, with comedies, game shows, natural history, and movies. It will be broadcast from 7:30pm after ABC Kids finishes each day.
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ABC Entertains, which replaces ABC ME, will build on ABC's catalogue of comedy and entertainment. It will be the home of the Australian TV premiere of season two of the supernatural series Interview with a Vampire. Plus, new seasons of the comedy horror Wreck and Louis Theroux Interviews.
ABC head of programming, acquisitions and streaming Roberta Allan said: “We are excited to be making these changes to the broadcast channels. We will be adding more family-friendly shows, long running entertainment titles and comedies, plus movies, and much more, further establishing the ABC as a premier destination for family and entertainment viewing."
The launch of the channels comes as the ABC also announced this week 10 new TV programs for its 2024 slate. The details came during a mid-year programming event held in Melbourne.
