From July 7, ABC TV will be revitalising the channel schedules for ABC4Kids and ABC3.These changes will ensure that the most appropriate programmes for 2-14 year olds at the times that best suit them as well as their families are delivered, enabling everyone to find their favourite programmes easily throughout the day.
“ABC TV cares about kids and we value the trust that Australian families place in us to educate and entertain their children, with quality local and international programming. Changes to the programme times can have an impact on both parents and kids, but we are excited to offer new channel schedules that better reflect the lives of our audience,” said Deirdre Brennan, ABC TV Head of Children’s Television.
From July 7, the changes on ABC4Kids and ABC3 will be:
ABC4Kids:
ABC4Kids will now commence at 5am, seven days a week. This comes as a result of feedback from parents of younger children who would like the channel to start earlier. From 5am, early-rising preschoolers will now be able to enjoy programmes such as Waybuloo, Pingu and The Koala Brothers.
ABC TV’s flagship programme Play School can now be seen four times every weekday (6am, 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm) and on weekends (9.30am, 3.30pm).
Giggle & Hoot will now start at 7.30am every morning. Featuring popular preschool programmes Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Peppa Pig, Octonauts, Charlie & Lolaand Bing.
Bedtime messages will now begin at 5.30pm. ABC TV understands the importance of bedtime routines for little ones, so, to support our youngest viewers,Giggle & Hoot bedtime messages will now begin at 5.30pm, helping children prepare for bed with songs like The Birdbath Boogie, Five Steps to Bed and The Night Watch. Each day on ABC4Kids will end with Hoot’s lullaby.
From 6-7pm, ABC4Kids will be broader in nature to appeal to the older end of our demographic (4-6 year olds). Programmes from July 2014 will include much-loved shows Shaun The Sheep, Peter Rabbit, Guess How Much I Love You and Grandpa In My Pocket.
ABC3
3House weekdays from 3.30pm. From July 21, ABC3 will launch a new zone called 3House which is designed to provide a safe and fun place for 5-8 year olds to enjoy age appropriate programming. Programmes will include: Arthur, Jamie’s Got Tentacles, Masha and the Bear and the network premiere of Pearlie.
Studio 3 is moving to 5pm weeknights and 4pm on weekends. Our daily entertainment show for 8-13 year olds, is moving to the afternoons to allow kids more time to enjoy an engaging mix of comedy, drama and real life adventure. Studio 3 is the place to see all the best new Australian and international programmes including Blue Zoo, Bushwhacked, Operation Ouch, Wolfblood, Wizards Vs Aliens, Strange Hill High, Hank Zipzer, Dr Dimensionpants,Endangered Species and the award-winning Nowhere Boys.
3News weekdays at 4.50pm and 6.45pm. Unique to Australia’s public broadcaster and specifically tailored for younger audiences, 3News will air at 4.50pm, then at 6.45pm we present a flagship bulletin for kids designed to complement the adult news service at 7pm on ABC1. Hosted by Sarah Larsen (BtN), these bulletins will help place local and world events in a context that children can understand.
Family viewing weeknights at 7pm (6pm weekends). To better meet changing viewing patterns of Australian families, ABC3 will offer a new entertainment block, where parents and children can enjoy programmes together such as Horrible Histories, Dance Academy, Outnumbered, Leonardo and Sinbad.
Teenage viewing daily from 8pm. Featuring series such as Degrassi Next Generation from September 1 and a two-hour anime block every Friday and Saturday night.
