The late 1990s saw the ABC seek other avenues for broadcasting as a result of the strict guidelines set by the charter. With only one television channel it was hard to narrowcast, as the charter suggests, so the ABC began to plan its “digital strategy”. (Jacka, 2006, p. 353) The channel was planned to increase information and educational programs. There was much debate about this issue, as the ABC would have needed a substantial infusion of funding from the government for digital conversion and the commercial television sector campaigned against the advent multi-channelling of the PBS (Public Broadcasting Sector). (2006, p. 353)
While the ABC was granted the ability to multi-channel, it came with restrictions regarding funding and content. In 2002 the ABC established two digital channels, FlyTV and Kidz although they were cancelled immediately when the ABC received no additional funding in the 2003 budget.
ABC2 is now the ABCs digital-only national TV channel. (‘ABC Television Contact Us’, 2009, n.p.) It began in March 2005 and features alternative programming from ABC TV (or ABC1). Additional services such as 'dig radio' and 'dig jazz' are also available and in some parts of the country other digital-only commercial and community television channels are available. (2009, n.p.)
iView is a new initiative from the ABC that allows audiences to watch the ABC from their computers. People with high-speed internet can download certain programs to their computer and watch them at their convenience. For audiences with a slower internet connection, shows can still be downloaded onto their computers and are compatible with such programs such as iTunes and video iPods.
Today the ABC is a hybrid organization, with nationwide, metropolitan and rural radio stations, two television programs, an extensive website and ABC shops and centres. According to a Newspoll survey, ABC Online was Australia’s most popular media website, with an average of seven million accesses per month and up to 50 per cent in a year. (Barr, 2000, p. 63)
Take a look at the website for ABC2:
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