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ABC shakes up kids schedule

Australian public broadcaster ABC has outlined further changes to its children’s channels’ schedules to make them “better reflect the lives” of their audience.

ABC said last week that it intended to introduce a two-hour programming block when it moves all of its children’s educational content from ABC1 to dedicated children’s channel ABC3 next month.

As previously announced, a range of learning programmes will air on weekdays from 10.00 to noon on ABC3 during school terms, beginning July 21. Currently, a one-hour ABC TV Education block airs in the mornings on ABC1.

On top of that, ABC3 will launch a new zone called 3House, specialising in age-appropriate programming for 5-8s on weekday afternoons from the same date. The block will include Pearlie, Arthur, Jamie’s Got Tentacles and Masha & the Bear.

ABC will also introduce a family viewing block on weeknight and weekend evenings, featuring UK programmes including Horrible Histories, Outnumbered and Leonardo, as well as a two-hour animé block on Friday and Saturday night.

Meanwhile, ABC4Kids will now start at 05.00 every day, with programmes such as Waybuloo, Pingu and The Koala Brothers, followed by Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Peppa Pig, Octonauts, Charlie & Lola and Bing.

ABC said that ABC4Kids will be “broader in nature” between 18.00 and 19.00 from July to appeal to 4-6s, with Shaun The Sheep, Peter Rabbit, Guess How Much I Love You and Grandpa In My Pocket all set to feature.

“Changes to the programme times can have an impact on both parents and kids, but we are excited to offer new channel schedules that better reflect the lives of our audience,” said Deirdre Brennan, ABC TV’s head of children’s television.

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