ABC TV will start moving children’s programming currently screening on ABC1 to the dedicated children’s channels ABC4Kids and ABC3 from February 2, 2014.
Parents, caregivers and children will no longer have to search across three channels for age-appropriate ABC TV content. Instead they can go direct to ABC4Kids for preschool programming and ABC3 for school-aged programs where both channels will continue to offer exclusive, commercial-free programming in a children-friendly environment.
The changes will also allow ABC1 to offer a more comprehensive daytime schedule for its adult audiences.
This migration of content will occur in two stages:
1) From February 2, 2014: children’s programming currently screening on ABC1 on Sunday mornings and weekday afternoons will migrate to ABC4Kids and ABC3.
2) From July 21, 2014: all educational programming currently screening on ABC1 weekday mornings will move to ABC3.
“The uptake of digital TV has provided a unique opportunity to further strengthen our children’s destinations within the ABC TV portfolio. With fantastic programming that is now easier to find, ABC4Kids and ABC3 will continue to deliver entertaining and educational programs which preschoolers and school-aged children enjoy,” said Deirdre Brennan, ABC TV Head of Children’s Television.
Brendan Dahill, Head of Programming, ABC1 & ABC2, said: “With digital switchover now complete we can take full advantage of the breadth of our channels to offer something for everyone during daytime. Kids will still get a full complement of programming on ABC4Kids and ABC3, whilst ABC1 will be providing general entertainment for our adult audiences and News 24 will broadcast rolling news coverage.”
