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Freeview has welcomed the announcement by the ABC of the new channel that will add to the already great channel line-up of 7TWO, Go!, ONE, SBS TWO, and the most recently launched ABC 3 kids channel.

The ABC news channel will provide live continuous news coverage of major breaking stories from Australia and around the world, with in-depth coverage of local, national and international affairs, and combined with the ABC’s unrivalled long-form current affairs reporting.

The ABC will draw upon its 12 international bureaux and 60 regional newsrooms for the channel. The channel will also feature specifically developed new programs focusing on world news, national politics and business, as well as existing the ABC’s TV news and current affairs programs.

A continuous news centre with a new state-of-the-art studio, in the foyer of the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters, will serve as the engine room of the new channel.

Freeview CEO Robin Parkes said the ABC news channel would be welcomed by viewers and help drive free-to-air TV viewing.

“In weeks 36 to 52 of 2009, OzTAM figures showed that free-to-air TV viewing increased by 2.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2008. Australian TV viewers have responded to the launch of the networks’ digital channels last year and the new ABC news channel will no doubt add to digital free-to-air viewing and growth,” Ms Parkes said.

“2010 will be a watershed year for digital free-to-air TV. Freeview is all about providing Australian TV viewers more great content for free and we have some very exciting plans for the year ahead.”

Commenting on the announcement of the ABC news channel, Freeview Chairman and ABC Director of Television, Kim Dalton, said ABC TV was fully embracing the benefits of digital television by creating another genre-specific channel.

“As the country’s leading multi-platform broadcaster, ABC TV offers viewers true choice – be it landmark Australian programming on ABC1 or our kids channel, ABC3,” Mr Dalton said.

“The addition of a news channel to our current line-up ensures that viewers can select the type of quality Australian content they want to watch and enjoy it both on digital television and online.”

The news channel will be launched on the ABC’s HD channel this year and further details of the new channel, including the program schedule and launch date, will be announced in coming months.

For more information, please contact:

Rochelle Burbury or Hannah Furness
Access Public Relations
T: (02) 9279 4100

About Freeview

Launched in 2008, Freeview is the free digital television service in Australia. It comprises all the channels from Australia’s free-to-view broadcasters. Freeview encourages Australians to switch to free-to-view digital television by promoting its benefits including more channels, more moments, better picture and superior sound, for free. Freeview is not-for-profit and owned by ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine, Network Ten, Prime, Southern Cross and WIN.