ABC and SBS television

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) are Australia’s national broadcasters, providing a diverse range of television, radio and online services.

ABC Television

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s national public broadcaster.

Under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, the ABC is a statutory authority with programming and operational independence from the Government. The board of directors is, however, guided by the ABC Charter which sets out the functions of the ABC. Under the Charter, the principal function of the ABC is to provide services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians.

ABC television consists of an analogue television service, digital simulcast of the analogue television signal, a high definition digital service and ABC2, a second digital channel which began broadcasting on 7 March 2005.

ABC2 broadcasts a range of new and repeat programming including children’s, regional, documentary, arts, international and regional news.

Additionally, Australia Network is an international television service broadcasting via satellite and rebroadcast arrangements to Asia and the Pacific, under contract for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

ABC television reflects the diversity of interests in the community nationally through a range of distinctive programs of broad and specialist appeal. ABC television commissions, produces, purchases and schedules all general programs as well as current affairs programs. It is watched by approximately 8.8 million Australians every week.

Funding

The ABC is financed mostly by the Federal Government primarily through triennial funding arrangements. In 2005–06, the total Government funding for the ABC will be $863 million. For the three years to 2009, Government funding to the ABC will total nearly $2.5 billion.

Transmission and access

As at June 2007, ABC television is available via analogue signal to 98.28 per cent of the population. The analogue service is transmitted via 961 terrestrial transmitters around Australia, including 521 Self-Help and Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS)

facilities, which are operated and maintained by local councils or community groups.

Both the ABC and SBS are in the process of progressively rolling out their digital television services and will eventually have equivalent coverage to that of their analogue television services. As at June 2007, ABC television was available via digital signal to 97.02 per cent of the population.

The ABC digital television service is also retransmitted on various digital subscription platforms, including FOXTEL, Optus TV, AUSTAR, TransACT and Neighbourhood Cable.

Australia Network is transmitted via satellite and rebroadcasting in countries across Asia and the Pacific.

SBS Television

The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is Australia’s multicultural and multilingual national public broadcaster.

Under the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991, SBS is a corporation with programming independence from the Government. The Board of Directors are, however, guided by the SBS Charter which sets out the functions of SBS. Under the Charter, the principal function of SBS is to provide services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and reflect Australia’s multicultural society.

SBS television consists of a national analogue television service and digital simulcast of the analogue signal including standard definition and high definition services. SBS television also produces a digital TV multi-channels: the World News Channel.

With more than 400 international and local program sources, SBS draws on international news and current affairs, documentary, feature film, sports, and other programs, as well as locally commissioned and produced content that articulates an Australian perspective on the world. Around half of the programs on the principal channel are broadcast in languages other than English. These programs are made accessible to all Australians through the use of English subtitles. In all, SBS television is watched by more than 8.15 million Australians every week.

Funding

SBS is financed mostly by the Federal Government through triennial funding arrangements. SBS’s total funding from Government in 2007–08 will be $188 million. For the three years to 2009, Government funding to the SBS is in excess of $565 million.

Unlike the ABC, SBS is permitted to accept advertising on its domestic broadcasting services.

Transmission and access

As at June 2007, SBS television is available via analogue signal to approximately 96.9 per cent of the population. The analogue service is transmitted via 250 terrestrial transmitters around Australia plus an additional estimated 341 self-help transmitters owned and operated by local councils or communities.

As with the ABC, SBS is progressively rolling out its digital television services. As at June 2007, SBS digital television, including the multi-channels, was available to more than 94.6 per cent of the population.

• Document ID: 8441 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 2:10pm