Children's programming on ABC Television
ABC Kids is a name given to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's children's programming.
Its use began as a replacement for the "ABC for Kids" branding used on ABC TV and ABC Online in around 2000. In 2001(?), a half-day ABC Kids channel launched nationally. It was available on digital terrestrial television, and subscription services Austar and Optus Television. It could not gain carriage on Foxtel due to Foxtel's financial interests in the Australian rights to competitors' Nickelodeon and Fox Kids.
The ABC launched the channel without additional funding for it, hoping that its success would prompt an additional government grant. This strategy did not succeed. In July 2003, it went off air.
The brand survived on ABC TV and ABC Online.
On March 7 2005, a new channel ABC2, launched. It carried many hours of ABC Kids programming, in addition to that broadcast on ABC TV.
Currently, ABC Kids offers a wide range of children's programing aimed at 6–12 year olds. A related sub-brand, rollercoaster, covers programs aimed at 12–16 year olds and a related website and magazine.
Broadcasting schedule
ABC Kids runs non-stop for 13 hours on ABC TV and ABC2 on weekdays:
- 6am–10am ABC TV
- 10am–3pm ABC2
- 3pm–6pm ABC TV
- 6pm–7pm ABC2
On Saturdays, both channels overlap:
- 9am–12am ABC2
- 11.10am–12am ABC TV
On Sundays:
- 6.30am–9am ABC TV
- 2pm–4pm ABC2
Unfortunately, it does not currently have its own all-in-one subscription or logical digitial terrestrial channel.
Recent Programmes
- Bananas in Pyjamas
- Bob the Builder
- Eugenie Sandler P.I.
- Pingu
- Play School
- The Saddle Club
- Sesame Street
- Thunderstone
- Potatoes And Dragons
- Vampires, Pirates And Aliens
- Chalk Zone
- Sheeep
- Arthur
- The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill And His Best Friend Corky
- Peppa Pig
- Gordon The Garden Gnome
- Miffy And Friends
- Play With Me Sesame
- Boo!
- The Wiggles Show
- Pingu
- The Fimbles
- Andy Pandy
- Fireman Sam
- Franny's Feet
- The Hydronauts
- Basil Brush
- Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
- Postman Pat
- Brum
- BB3B
- Out There
- Speed Racer
- Freaky Stories
- The Tribe
- Ace Day Jobs
- Ace Lightning
- Corneil And Bernie
- Lizzie McGuire
- Parallax
- Kenny The Shark
- Girl Stuff, Boy Stuff
- Being Ian
- Blue Water High
- Freaky
- I Dream
- Pigeon Boy
- Flatmania