Australian television channel
Television channel
ABC Entertains is an Australian English language general entertainment free-to-air television channel owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . It was launched on 4 December 2009 as a children's channel called ABC3 . It was rebranded on 19 September 2016 to ABC Me . It rebranded once more on 3 June 2024 to ABC Entertains , now focusing on general entertainment programming.[ 1]
In September 2007, the Australian government announced a proposal to launch a new digital-only children's channel, ABC3 .[ 3] [ 4] A new ABC channel appeared on television receivers on 11 February 2008, as a placeholder for the future ABC3 channel.[ 5] ABC3 was considered by the Australia 2020 Summit and given as one of the recommendations to the Government. In April 2009, the Government's official response to the Summit approved the idea,[ 6] and in the 2009–10 Commonwealth Budget $67 million was allocated towards ABC3 as part of the Government's $167 million funding increase to the ABC. The channel would aim to feature at least 50% Australian-produced content.[ 7] It was not constrained by a local content quota.[ 8]
On 18 June 2009, the corporation began its first public ABC3 campaign to scout for new hosting talent.[ 9] On 22 October 2009, eight presenters were announced. Amberley Lobo and Kayne Tremills would host Studio 3 , with Ben Crawley as a roving reporter, he later joined the show What Do You Know? alongside Dr Rhythm. Scott Tweedie would host Prank Patrol , while Hannah Wang[ 10] and Mitchell Tomlinson were named as co-hosts of Rush TV [ 11] and Stephanie Bendixsen and Steven O'Donnell were hosts of Good Game: Spawn Point , made for younger gamers, a spin-off of the ABC2 TV series Good Game , made for older gamers.[ 10]
On 4 December 2009 at 5pm, the hour-long Countdown to 3 special was broadcast on the channel and was simulcast on ABC1 . It featured special performances from Australian artists Cassie Davis and Short Stack , an introduction to various ABC3 presenters and shows and the station's launch around 6pm by then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd .[ 12] [ 13]
In April 2011, James Elmer joined as co-host of Studio 3 along with Tremills and Lobo.[ 14] On 4 December 2011, the winners from the MeOn3 contest were revealed as Alfie Gledhill and Olivia Phyland.[ 15] On 14 September 2012, Alfie left Studio 3 to pursue acting dreams. In October 2012, Comedian Khaled Khalafala joined Studio 3 , and stayed with the crew until early 2013 before leaving. In March 2013 the Janitor (Dave Cartel) and Bubbles the goldfish supposedly left Studio 3 for Venezuela, with Bubbles being replaced with a new goldfish called Alexis.[citation needed ] Tim Matthews, Grace Koh and Ivy Latimer later joined James and Liv in July 2014 after winning The 3 Factor competition.[ 16]
In August 2016, it was announced that ABC3 would rebrand as ABC Me on 19 September 2016,[ 17] as more children watched television on a mobile device.[ 18] The rebranded channel is reported to be "designed to reflect and celebrate the lives, interests and diversity of young Australians" and will increase its focus to primary school children.[ 19] [ 20] To mark the rebrand, ABC ME teamed up with 16-year-old Australian singer Angel Tairua to record a new song Unique (Me2U) to celebrate the launch of ABC ME.[ 21]
In June 2020, many of the ABC Me staff located in Melbourne lost their jobs after the redundancies at the ABC were announced, include the presenters of the channel at the time; Pip Rasmussen, Drew Parker and Ava Madon.[ 22] The network continued to be broadcast without presenters.[ 22]
On 9 May 2024, it was announced that ABC Me would rebrand as ABC Entertains on 3 June, shifting its format to general entertainment programming (with its launch anchored by premieres of new series of Interview with the Vampire and Wreck ). Youth programming moved to ABC TV Plus, which concurrently relaunched as ABC Family; although some programs for primary school students still air in the morning as the ABC iView brand known as ABC Big Kids. The ABC ME YouTube channel has also rebranded to ABC Big Kids [ 23] and the ABC Education block (from 9–11 am on weekdays)[ 24] largely remains untouched. The ABC is also promoting ABC iview as the main home of its youth and children's output.[ 1]
Current programming [ edit ]
Kayne Tremills (2009–2015, 2019–2022)
Amberley Lobo (2009–2015)
Elliot Spencer (2009–2010)
Scott Tweedie (2009–2013)
Ben Crawley (2009–2011)
Dave Cartel ("The Janitor") (2009–2013)
Mitch Tomlinson (2009–2012)
Hannah Wang (2009–2012)
Stephanie "Hex" Bendixsen (2009–2016)[ note 1]
Steven "Bajo" O'Donnell (2009–2017)[ note 1]
Gus "Goose" Ronald (2011–2018)[ note 1]
James Elmer (2011–2016)
Alfie Gledhill (2011–2012)
Olivia Phyland (2011–2015)
Khaled Khalafalla (2012–2013)
Grace Koh (2014–2018, 2020)
Ivy Latimer (2014–2015)
Tim Matthews (2014–2017)
Pip Rasmussen (2016–2020)
Angharad "Rad" Yeo (2017–2022)[ note 1]
Lawrence Gunatilaka (2018–2019)
Dallas Reedman (2018–2019)
Ilai Swindells (2018)
Gemma "Gem" Driscoll (2018–2024)[ note 1]
Drew Parker (2019–2020)
Jael Wena (2019)
Ava Madon (2019–2020)
William Yates (2019–2020)[ note 1]
^ a b c Baumann, Jasper (10 May 2024). "ABC introduces two new channels - ABC Family and ABC Entertains" . Mediaweek . Retrieved 10 May 2024 .
^ "DTT Register of Service IDs" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017 .
^ Koutsoukis, Jason (23 September 2007). "Free kids' TV channel is as easy as ABC3" . The Age . Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 5. ProQuest 367038877 . Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2008 .
^ Presenter: Antony Funnell (6 December 2007). "The state of Children's television" . Media Report . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Radio National . Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2008 .
^ Knox, David (12 February 2008). "So what's ABC3 anyway?" . TV Tonight . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "New children's channel for ABC" . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009 .
^ Knox, David (18 June 2009). "ABC3 announces new Aussie kids shows" . TV Tonight . Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009 .
^ Bodey, Michael (22 October 2009). "ABC to launch new kids digital TV channel ABC3" . The Australian . Sydney: News Limited. Retrieved 10 May 2023 .
^ Steffens, Miriam (19 June 2009). "ABC3 offering a hue less true blue" . The Age . Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 3. ProQuest 364224173 . Retrieved 10 May 2024 .
^ a b Hassall, Greg (26 October 2009). "Seven completes the digital puzzle - upfront" . The Guide. The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney: Fairfax Media. Fresh Faces. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via NewsBank.
^ Edwards, Amy (1 December 2009). "jaw-dropping sport: the word". Newcastle Herald . Newcastle: Fairfax Media. p. 12. ProQuest 365343711 .
^ "Countdown To 3" . Countdown To 3 . Season 1. Episode 1. 4 December 2009. ABC Television . ABC1. Archived from the original on 8 December 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2015 .
^ Knox, David (4 December 2009). "Countdown to ABC3" . TV Tonight . Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015 .
^ "Hip hop into hosting" . Play Magazine . News Limited. 7 April 2011. p. 41. Retrieved 10 May 2024 – via NewsBank.
^ Knox, David (5 December 2011). "New kids' hosts joining ABC3" . TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2024 .
^ Knox, David (8 July 2014). "New hosts join Studio 3" . TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2024 .
^ "STRICTLY EMBARGOED MEDIA RELEASE: ABC3 becomes ABC ME" (Press release). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016 .
^ Knox, David (19 August 2016). "ABC3 rebrands as ABC ME" . TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016 .
^ "ABC3 to rebrand as ABC ME" . Mediaweek. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016 .
^ Canning, Simon (19 August 2016). "ABC drops 3 for ME in children's channel rebrand" . Mumbrella. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016 .
^ "ABC ME introduces Angel" (Press release). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 September 2016. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018 .
^ a b Knox, David (25 June 2020). "ABC ME staff gone from Melbourne" . TV Tonight . Retrieved 6 October 2020 .
^ McNamara, Lauren (9 May 2024). "ABC to launch two new channels and new digital streams" . Mumbrella . Retrieved 30 June 2024 .
^ "TV Guide" . ABC Education . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 June 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "ABC Entertains" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 June 2024 .
^ Knox, David (10 June 2014). "ABC Educational programming moving to ABC3" . TV Tonight . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Knox, David (16 May 2024). "Here's what's in store on ABC Family / ABC Entertains channels" . TV Tonight . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "Dragon Ball Super" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 24 July 2023 .
^ "Transformers: EarthSpark" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ Knox, David (29 May 2024). "Airdate: The Cleaner" . TV Tonight . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ ABC Me (30 November 2015). Adventure Time: coming soon to ABC3 (Television promotion). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 July 2023 – via YouTube .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Animalia - The Ballad Of The Creeper - 9:20am Wednesday, February 13 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Astro Boy" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 26 May 2024 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Bindi's Bootcamp - 10:40am Thursday, February 14 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Blue Water High - 3:35pm Monday, April 22 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC ME Program Guide: Week 46" (PDF) . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024 – via TV Tonight.
^ "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Bushwhacked! - Grey Nurse Shark - 10:40am Tuesday, April 02 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Charlie And Lola" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Chop Socky Chooks" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "CJ The DJ - Testing Times - ABC3 Television Guide" . ABC TV . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Dance Academy" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Deadly 60" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Deltora Quest" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Dennis And Gnasher - Masters Of the House/ Game On - 8:30am Monday, June 24 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Edgar And Ellen" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Escape From Scorpion Island - 11:05am Thursday, April 18 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Erky Perky - The Inseparables - 6:25am Saturday, June 29 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The Flamin' Thongs" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Flipper And Lopaka - The Secret Weapon - 6:00am Saturday, May 25 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Grizzly Tales For Gruesome Kids - Nobby's Nightmare - 6:55pm Wednesday, March 27 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Heartbreak High" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Jade Armor" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "Jibber Jabber" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "K-On!" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Lab Rats Challenge" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The Legend Of Korra" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 24 July 2023 .
^ "Log Horizon" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 24 July 2023 .
^ "M.I. High" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Mortified" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Anime that aired on ABC3" . MyAnimeList .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Outback 8 - 11:35am Friday, February 15 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The Pinky & Perky Show" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The PM's Daughter" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 23 August 2024 .
^ "Radiant" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 July 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Richard Hammond's Blast Lab: The Experiments - 10:10am Monday, February 25 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Ruby Gloom" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Rush TV" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The Sleepover Club" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Spectacular Spider-Man - Survival Of The Fittest - 8:40am Saturday, June 01 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Stoked" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Summer In Transylvania" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Summer Memories" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 24 July 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Sumo Mouse - That's A Wise Mouse - 1:20pm Sunday, February 03 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Sword Art Online" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "Total Drama Island" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 26 May 2024 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Trapped! Ever After - Bootle - 5:25pm Sunday, August 05 2012" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 9 June 2024 .
^ "ABC Television | The complete TV guide for ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News24 & ABC iView" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - Wolfblood - Family Ties - 6:30pm Thursday, March 28 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Wolverine And The X-Men" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "ABC Television - ABC3 - You're Skitting Me - 8:45am Sunday, May 26 2013" . ABC Television . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Young Dracula" . ABC iview . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
ABC TV Multichannels Defunct International Online See also