‘Channel changes at the ABC: good for children?’

In June, the ABC introduced two new channels – ABC Family and ABC Entertains – and four new digital streams with the aim of bringing together “the best kids, family, and general entertainment titles”, and making it “easier for audiences to find the programs they love”.

Channel 22 now carries ABC Kids (mainly for primary and younger children) till 7.30pm and then switches to ABC Family (“for big kids and their parents” – previously ABC TV Plus).

Channel 23 (previously ABC ME for older, school aged children) has become ABC Entertains and will carry comedy, drama, lifestyle and entertainment.

The 4 digital channels are Cartoons: Animation for children aged 7–12 years; 100% Faves: Live action favourites for children aged 7–12 years; Family Faves: Family content available 24/7; and BTN: BTN and other educational content for kids.

All this looks good for kids: preschool and younger primary school aged children seem well served both on TV and on internet based services.  But is there an audience that has missed out?

….

It seems that upper primary and early to mid teens might be that audience.

The content which used to be shown on ABC ME is now said to be streaming on ABC iView, which is fine if the family has internet access.  If not, that audience is effectively disenfranchised. It only has a choice from programs for younger children until 7.30pm, and after 7.30pm has to wait for something suitable among the family programs (which may not be age-appropriate – and can be M after 8pm).

Here’s the views of a 15 year old (whose family does not have their TV connected to the internet):

I am deeply annoyed with the decision that has been made to change ABC ME to ABC Entertains.

This decision is affecting the people who have no access at all or most of the time to ABC iview. There is no longer any channel for pre-teens and young teenagers. It’s as if ABC have skipped that age group and gone from young children to older teenagers.

This decision has also made it so that there are less options among the few children’s channels that were appropriate for teens or that they would enjoy watching. I honestly don’t see the point for this decision to be made and if it does continue there should be a better plan for it other than blending family friendly shows with a few tweens/young teenager shows and shows that are not appropriate for young audiences.

On that matter I would not let a twelve year old watch something like Wreck or Interview With The Vampire, which are both shows that are not appropriate for young audiences (both with MA15+ ratings). Back in the day, ABC ME was my go-to channel since it had all the shows that I would like to watch such as Hardball, Miraculous, MaveriX, The Strange Chores, Detention Adventure, and So Awkward (all rated G or PG). I honestly am not supportive of this decision and I don’t see why ABC had to get rid of ABC ME which was a go-to television station for me and my friends with no availability to streaming services.

And the view of a 12 year old:

When I come home from school and I just want to watch some TV because I’ve done all my jobs, there’s just bad shows like Dr Who, Spongebob Squarepants, or Tipping Point. Some good shows are on at weekends and during the day when I’m not around to see them. If I go on 22 (ABC Kids) there’s just baby shows.

When it was ABC ME, me and my sister were excited to sit and watch shows with cliffhangers, and others we could look forward to. Now there’s hardly any like that, and Holly Hobbie, that I loved, is now on Netflix. It was nice to sit with my sister after school but now there’s nothing on to watch, she just goes in her room on her phone. Sometimes I now watch Channel 9 or 13, but not the ABC, it’s just not good any more.

So ABC!  It seems there’s a need for access and equity here.