SINGAPORE, Dec. 31 -- The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's new international television service, ABC Asia Pacific starts broadcasting Monday via satellite with a mix of information, education and entertainment program.
Initially, the service will consist of a 4-hour repeating program loop, refreshed with up to date news services. This loop will expand to six hours in May. ABC Asia Pacific Team Leader John Doherty branded the new station as "television for the region from the region."
Though he acknowledged there were many overseas subscription and satellite television services available in the Asia-Pacific region, he believes the ABC's offering will have a unique, local emphasis.
"The ABC anticipates that it will be initially difficult to secure access to all markets, as there is serious and entrenched competition. Overtime, we are confident of developing a mass audience because we do a have some competitive advantages, particularly through our close commitment to the region," Doherty said.
ABC Asia Pacific will based strong competition from other broadcasters with regional appeal like AXN, a dedicated action and adventure television network, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment company, and STAR TV and its various services, part of News Corporation.
News and current affairs will comprise around 30 percent of ABC Asia Pacific programming on a weekday and around 20 percent on weekends. Three news programs are being especially produced for ABC Asia Pacific.
A daily education program with a current affairs style format will meet the growing regional demand for English language skills, ABC Asia Pacific said in a statement. The program will be a vehicle for showcasing many facets of Australian life, from business, science and technology, to multiculturalism.
Where programming rights permit, mainstream sports will be also telecast. Premier sporting events will include the Australian Football League, Rugby Union, soccer, basketball and the Melbourne Cup. Supporting the television service will be a online component.
"It will not only support television programming through supplying information on specific programs, particularly education, but will have a much wider application," Doherty said.
For instance it will carry a news and current affairs service sourced from existing Radio Australia facilities; there will be a comprehensive directory service to Australian industrial, educational, tourist, government, cultural and business information and a question and answer service providing rapid turn around answers to individual audience questions, Doherty said.NEWLN: Content: 01016000 01021000 04003000 04008000 04016000
