Digital Technology for Digital Living.
March 10, 2005
ABC2.
We missed the launch of ABC2 that happened on Monday March 7. So sue us, it was a public holiday here in the West.
From the Media Release.
ABC2 will be a complementary service to the main ABC TV channel offering a block of children’s content (weekdays and Saturday), premier investigative journalism programs such as Foreign Correspondent and Australian Story, quality documentaries, history, arts, science and lifestyle programming.
Work/life patterns in contemporary Australia are rapidly changing - the ABC2 schedule is a response to these changes, and provides more opportunities at more times for viewing a range of great programming. Time-shifted programming means audiences can now see their favourite programs again or catch programs they missed on the main channel, along with a range of new content.
Tune in via channel 21 on your Digital Set Top box. If it doesn’t appear on the list, you might need to re-scan for channels.
Gadgetman | | Digital TV
March 25th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
I’ve been quite enjoying ABC2 — it’s a simple concept, but IMHO the timeshifting aspect works, even though I have a PVR… maybe it’s pushing it to call their extensive repeats ‘timeshifting’ when there are many shows first screened years ago, but that’s just the point — recently I’ve been able to catch up with In the Mind of the Architect for one, which I’d previously not been able to find on DVD.
The fact that they are legally restricted in their content hasn’t really been an issue, frankly I wasn’t aware to begin with and just assumed it was a paucity of ABC content… but the fact that it has more regional content, docos etc., is actually good… sure, you’re not going to watch it ALL the time, but a lot of it’s better than the shit on the others! : )
I just wish they’d start rolling out more of the stuff they produced for the short-lived Fly digital channel… although I guess the channel could get a bit eclectic for some… and what about simulcasting Triple J, or at least excerpts, as one of the digital radio channels? I’d love to be able to record certain segments on the PVR, rather than screwing around to capture the low quality online stream.
The one thing that we’ve been impatient with is how long it’s taking the stations to offer Now & Next, and Extended Info. This is one area that I’d expect the public stations to be more committed to, but they have a way to go yet, despite the ABC’s good online guide, inlcuding RSS feeds, and SBS with their EPG channel, and SMS alerts.