the (red) set*

Spied this report in the SMH yesterday by Chief Political Correspondent Phillip Coorey: Children’s channel lights up on the budget radar that hints to the fact a DEDICATED free-to-air children’s television channel could be recommended by the Federal Government next week.

In late 2007 there were announcements floating around industry newsletters, websites and conferences claiming that the ABC was to launch a new children’s TV channel in April 2008

” The ABC plans to have a dedicated free-to-air children’s TV channel on air by April 2008, providing commercial-free children’s programming….. ABC3, as the new channel will be known, will be a tremendous addition to the entertainment choices available to Australian families.” At the time Kim Dalton was quoted “As well as the popular ABC Kids programs currently screening on ABC TV, we’ll be commissioning and acquiring new material for the new channel”

“Planning is already underway at the ABC for the provision of ABC3, which will be a digital channel, available free to viewers who have a digital television or a digital set-top box. Mr Dalton said, “Provided the funds are approved by government soon after the election, we will be on air by April 2008.”

Earlier this year the ABC did a shout out for content from local producers and production companies for childrens television programs – so one year later than anticipated ABC 3 – a free to air digital channel – may just get up.

Coorey noted in his piece yesterday that “the channel was recommended at last year’s 2020 summit (by the working group on creativity headed by the actress Cate Blanchett) and formally adopted by the Rudd Government…. All budget measures, including the children’s channel, will have to pass the expenditure review committee, but {a} Labor source said it would find the channel hard to reject if it were unveiled as part of the 2020 summit response.”

Apparently the channel will be ad free and comprised of more than 50 per cent Australian content.

pic: still from Aussie kids show Lockie Leonard