ABC Entertains

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"ABC3" redirects here. For other uses and American Broadcasting Company television affiliates, see ABC 3.

ABC Entertains
Logo used since 2024
TypeAdult programming • General entertainment[1]
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaNationwide
NetworkABC Television
HeadquartersSydney, New South Wales
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
Sister channelsABC TV
ABC TV HD
ABC Kids
ABC Family
ABC News
History
Launched4 December 2009; 15 years ago (4 December 2009) (as ABC3)
Former namesABC3 (2009–2016)
ABC Me (2016–2024)
Links
Websiteiview.abc.net.au/channel/abc2
Availability
Terrestrial
ABN Sydney (DVB-T)548 @ 12 (226.5 MHz)[2]
Digital terrestrial televisionChannel 8 (Hobart)
Channel 12 (Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth)
Channel 30 (Darwin)
FreeviewChannel 23
Streaming media
ABC iviewABC iview live stream

ABC Entertains is an Australian 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]

History

[edit]

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 change its name to 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.[22] The network was then broadcast without presenters.[22]

On 9 May 2024, it was announced that ABC Me would change its name to 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 Family; although some programs still air in the morning (from 5–11am) and the ABC Education block (from 9–11am on weekdays) largely remains untouched.[23][24] The ABC is also promoting ABC iview as the main home of its youth and children's output.[1]

On 19 May 2025, it was announced that ABC Entertains, along with the ABC News channel, would be converted to MPEG-4 HD, with the switchover beginning on 11 June and concluding on 26 June.[25]

Programming

[edit]
Further information: List of programs broadcast by ABC (Australian TV network)

Presenters

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  • 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]

Logo history

[edit]
  • 4 December 2009 – 18 September 2016
    4 December 2009 – 18 September 2016
  • 19 September 2016 – 2 June 2024
    19 September 2016 – 2 June 2024
  • 3 June 2024 – present
    3 June 2024 – present

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Host of Good Game: Spawn Point.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Baumann, Jasper (10 May 2024). "ABC introduces two new channels - ABC Family and ABC Entertains". Mediaweek. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ "DTT Register of Service IDs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Knox, David (12 February 2008). "So what's ABC3 anyway?". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Bodey, Michael (22 October 2009). "ABC to launch new kids digital TV channel ABC3". The Australian. Sydney: News Limited. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Edwards, Amy (1 December 2009). "jaw-dropping sport: the word". Newcastle Herald. Newcastle: Fairfax Media. p. 12. ProQuest 365343711.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ Knox, David (4 December 2009). "Countdown to ABC3". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Hip hop into hosting". Play Magazine. News Limited. 7 April 2011. p. 41. Retrieved 10 May 2024 – via NewsBank.
  15. ^ Knox, David (5 December 2011). "New kids' hosts joining ABC3". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  16. ^ Knox, David (8 July 2014). "New hosts join Studio 3". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Knox, David (19 August 2016). "ABC3 rebrands as ABC ME". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  19. ^ "ABC3 to rebrand as ABC ME". Mediaweek. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "ABC ME introduces Angel" (Press release). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 September 2016. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  22. ^ a b Knox, David (25 June 2020). "ABC ME staff gone from Melbourne". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  23. ^ McNamara, Lauren (9 May 2024). "ABC to launch two new channels and new digital streams". Mumbrella. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  24. ^ "TV Guide". ABC Education. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  25. ^ "ABC NEWS Channel and ABC Entertains move to High Definition". About the ABC. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
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