Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Digital children's channel for ABC
The Rudd Government today announced a commitment to establish a dedicated ABC children's digital television channel.
"The ABC has always played a strong role in Australia's national identity and I expect the new children's channel will provide significant cultural and social benefits for Australian children," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.
"This new digital channel will offer high-quality educational, commercial-free viewing options for Australian families."
The Rudd Government's commitment to a digital ABC children's channel forms part of its response to the Australia 2020 Summit announced by the Prime Minister today.
The new channel will be the only dedicated children's channel available free to Australian homes and will operate in addition to, rather than replace, the ABC's existing children's programming on ABC1 and ABC2.
The channel will be delivered digitally, providing Australian families with more great new television content and a further reason to switch to digital.
"A new digital channel specialising in children's content is a great example of the benefits of getting ready for digital television," Senator Conroy said.
"The ABC Children's Channel will broadcast child-appropriate content for 15 hours per day and will be complemented by a variety of interactive elements and online content."
Date: 22 April 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
