ABC: Summer highlights

ABC has announced its titles for Summer across its suite of broadcast and online platfoms.

Amongst the Australian titles are The Divorce, Backroads, Adam Hills: Happyism, Kangaroo Dundee, The Yearly With Charlie Pickering, Australian of the Year, New Year’s Eve, Foreign Correspondent, Satellite Boy and The Book Club.

International titles include Doctor Who, Vera, The Musketeers, QI, Would I Lie to You?, Pointless, The Royal Variety Performance, Sherlock, Exile and Inside Men.

ABC2 will devote a week looking at ‘the business of sex’.

Kid’s titles include New Adventures Of Figaro Pho, Adventure Time and Boy in a Dress.

There is also plenty more on iview.

ABC

Sunday Arts Up Late
Sundays from 29 November
Featuring the best arts and culture documentaries from Australia and around the globe, Sunday Arts Up Late returns for its summer season delivering another fascinating selection of films. Highlights include the much-adored Grayson Perry’s Dream Home (Sun 13 Dec at 10pm); the Oscar Award-winning 20 Feet From Stardom (Sun 10 Jan at 10pm) and The Last Impresario, a portrait of charismatic London-based theatre impresario, Michael White “the most famous person you’ve never heard of.” directed by Gracie Otto (Sun 17 Jan at 10pm).

Pointless
Series 9
54×45’
Australian Premiere
Weeknights from Monday 30 November at 6.15pm
Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman present this quiz in which contestants try to score as few points as possible by plumbing the depths of their general knowledge to come up with the answers no-one else can think of.

Backroads
8×30’
Australian Premiere
Mondays from 30 November at 8pm
Transports audiences to some of the nation’s most remote and inspiring communities that highlight rural Australia’s trademark grit, generosity, humour and innovation. Each week acclaimed journalist and charismatic presenter, Heather Ewart uncovers corners of Australia where misfortune has brought some to their knees, but imagination, faith and fun has lifted them back up. The flagship series of the ABC Regional Division.

Foreign Correspondent Specials
4×60’
Australian Premiere
Mondays from 30 November at 8.30pm
Over Summer, Foreign Correspondent presents four one-hour specials from around the world. As world climate talks get under way in Paris, Eric Campbell goes in search of solutions to global warming (30 November); Sally Sara investigates the new civil rights movement that’s been unleashed in America (7 December); Stephen McDonell looks back at the big stories of his 10 years in China and asks where the country is heading (14 December); and Mark Corcoran reveals how the digital revolution is changing the way we get the news (21 December).

Restoration Man
Series 3 15×50’
Australian Premiere
Tuesdays from 1 December at 8.30pm
George Clarke travels up and down the country to new locations, new restorations and amazing stories of people who have gone to extraordinary lengths to build their dreams homes, by restoring and rejuvenating some of Britain’s most cherished but forgotten buildings.

The Book Club’s Five Of The Best
1×60’
Australian Premiere
Tuesday 1 December at 9.20pm
Jennifer Byrne and regular guests Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger are joined by 7:30 host and passionate reader Leigh Sales, and Wheeler Centre director Michael Williams to
discuss five books handpicked by our panellists to kick start your holiday reading. We will also announce the top five books as voted by our audience in our web poll. So, tune in and
get your holiday reading list started right.

The Musketeers
Resumes Wednesday 2 December at 9.30pm
A thrilling world of action, adventure and romance inspired by Dumas’ legendary characters.

QI Christmas Special
1×30’
Australian Premiere
Thursday 3 December at 8.00pm
Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher and comedians Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr join regular panellist Alan Davies for a festive edition of the comedy quiz. Host Stephen Fry asks them a range of unusual questions on topics related to Christmas, with points being awarded for interesting answers as well as correct ones.

Would I Lie To You?
Series 9 9×30’
Australian Premiere
Wednesdays from 6 January at 8pm Rob Brydon hosts the comedy panel show in which two teams headed by David Mitchell and Lee Mack try to hoodwink each other with absurd facts and plausible lies about themselves.

Would I Lie To You At Christmas?
1×30’
Australian Premiere TBA
A festive edition, hosted by Rob Brydon with David Mitchell and Lee Mack the team captains, joined by celebrity guests. The aim of the game is to fool the opposition into mistaking fact for fiction and fiction for fact.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Weeknights from 7 December at 10.40pm
For eight hilarious weeks over summer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will screen on ABC every weeknight at 10.40pm.

The Divorce
4×30’
Australian TV Premiere
Monday 7, Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 December at 9.30pm
A contemporary, comedic opera written and designed especially for the screen. After a long and satisfying marriage, wealthy couple Iris and Jed are happily getting a divorce and are throwing an elaborate party at their elegant home to celebrate. But by the end of the evening, Iris and Jed’s divorce has triggered a renegotiation of all certainties and the characters are set on an unanticipated course. Starring Lisa McCune, Hugh Sheridan, Marina Prior and Kate Miller Heidke.

Adam Hills: Happyism
1×60’
ABC Premiere
Thursday 10 December 8.30pm
An uplifting stand-up show from one of Australia’s foremost funnymen. This show sees Adam recount tales from his globetrotting adventures. Whether describing the thrill of appearing onstage with the Muppets, or recalling the time he made the Dalai Lama laugh, he animates his material with energy and wit.

Kangaroo Dundee
6×30’
ABC Premiere
Tuesdays from 15 December at 8pm
Follows the life and work of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns – a man who has dedicated his life to rescuing and raising orphan kangaroos. From his sanctuary in the bush outside Alice Springs, Brolga cares for his orphans, and spends months training and preparing them so that they can one day be released.

The Yearly With Charlie Pickering
1×60’
Australian Premiere
Wednesday 16 December at 8.30pm
The Yearly: if a week is a long time in news, surely a year can be condensed into an hour of television. Charlie, Tom and Kitty wrap up the year for anyone who missed it, and maybe even spot some things we all missed. Plus their international correspondents wrap up the year from the US, UK and Africa.

The Royal Variety Performance 2015
1×120’
ABC Premiere
Friday 25 December at 7.30pm
Promising to be an unforgettable evening of the best UK and international musical performers, extraordinary theatre, and brilliant comedy as well as a number of sensational surprises, this year’s Royal Variety Performance will be hosted by award-winning actor and comic Jack Whitehall. Jack will introduce performers from around the world, including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, One Direction, a magical show-stopping moment from the cast of Disney, plus lots more.

Doctor Who Christmas Special
Saturday 26 December at 7.30pm
Professor River Song will return in the highly anticipated 2015 Doctor Who Christmas Special. It’s Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveller River Song meets her husband’s new incarnation for the first time this Christmas.

Vera
Series 1 & 2
4+4×90’
ABC Premiere
Sundays from 27 December at 8.30pm
Based on the bestselling Inspector Stanhope books, Vera and her team are faced with a series of daunting challenges. Each enthralling story is enhanced by captivating performances of this shambolic yet brilliant detective in action. Combined with beautifully shot landscapes and atmospheric production, each film creates a haunting backdrop for Vera’s inner turmoil as she discovers hidden truths about her own past, which threaten to change her life forever.

New Year’s Eve 2015
1×240’
Australian Premiere
Thursday 31 December from 8.30pm
The team who brought you the Saturday Night Crack Up now brings you ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular. Counting us down to the sensational fireworks on Sydney Harbour, Eddie Perfect will guide us through the biggest night of the year. New Years Eve 2015 will again be a four-hour live show from the forecourt of the Opera House at Bennelong Point, Sydney Harbour. The program will feature some of ABC TV’s key network talent as well as live musical, theatrical and comedic performances. ABC Children’s (ABC Kids/ABC3) will kick off the celebration with 30 mins packed with family friendly content from 8.30pm leading us into the 9pm family fireworks, launched by the winner of the ABC3 “Design your own Firework” competition. This four-hour entertainment bonanza will feature a range of family friendly entertainment with the Pub Quiz, Year in Review, live crosses and musical performances leading up to the Midnight Fireworks. While the harbour is showered with fireworks, home viewers will be dazzled by a night of comedy, music and more celebrities than you can shake a sparkler at.

Our Zoo
6×50’
ABC Premiere
Saturdays from 2 January at 7.30pm
Starring Lee Ingleby, BAFTA nominated actress Anne Reid, Liz White, Ralph Little and Peter Wight, this charming drama is based on the inspiring real story of the Mottershead family who established Chester Zoo in the 1930s. With incredible single-mindedness, George Mottershead drove himself and his family to realise his ambition to transform a ramshackle house on the outskirts of Chester into a unique zoo that would change the way animals are kept for forever.

Satellite Boy
1×95’
ABC Premiere
Saturday 2 January 8.30pm
Abandoned by his mother, 10-year-old Pete (Cameron Wallaby) lives with his elderly grandfather, Jagamarra (David Gulpilil), in a deserted outdoor cinema in the outback town Wyndham. When his grandfather’s home is threatened with demolition, Pete’s world in jeopardy so with his best friend, Kalmain (Joseph Pedley), sets off for the city. Together the boys travel through epic Kimberley country, and when they get lost in the bush, Pete and Kalmain find true friendship. Starving and thirsty, Pete must remember some of the traditional bush skills his grandfather has taught him to survive.

Exile
3×60’
ABC Premiere
Mondays from 4 January at 9.30pm
Tom Ronstadt is a successful London journalist whose career and life is in ruins. Returning to his hometown, he finds his father Sam in the grip of Alzheimer’s being cared for by his younger sister Nancy. Tom begins to unravel the mystery that drove him away years ago, and becomes increasingly frustrated with his father’s failure to remember. He persists, unaware that he is unearthing a devastating crime that will reveal secrets he could never have imagined. Stars Jim Broadbent and John Simm.

Inside Men
4×60’
ABC Premiere
Tuesdays from 5 January at 9.20pm
A study of how men behave when they step out of their comfort zones. What does it take to cross that moral line? What does it mean to risk your freedom? A thrilling drama about three employees of a security depot who plan and execute a multimillion pound cash heist. What would you steal for?

20 Feet From Stardom
1×90’
ABC Premiere
Sunday 10 January at 10pm
Award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century – including Australia’s Jo Lawry. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, the film boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few.

Sherlock
Series 3 3×90’
ABC Premiere
Thursdays from 21 January at 8.30pm
Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade. The iconic details from Conan Doyle’s original books remain – they live at the same address of 221b Baker Street, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Death Or Liberty
1×60’
Australian Premiere
Sunday 24 January at 10pm
A stirring lyrical journey into the dramatic and heroic lives of the convict rebels exiled to the prison without walls; revered in their homelands their convict lives are an amazing untold story – until now. A dramatised documentary featuring celebrated troubadours and a revered group of historians and experts.

Australian Of The Year
Australian Premiere
Monday 25 January
Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of extraordinary Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards. As the home of Australian stories, culture and conversations, the ABC will deliver an unmatched, truly national program of events in 2016.

ABC2

2 $Exy: The Business Of Sex
From Sunday 6 December
Everyone knows sex sells, right? So in a world where more sex is being sold to more people on more devices than ever before, what’s the real price? And who’s really paying? It’s time to find out.
ABC2 spends a week looking at ‘the business of sex’, from sex work to porn to stripping to sex in gaming. Examining the sex industry both in Australia, and around the world, a range of documentaries look closely at the connection between sex and money, and the consequences for young relationships.
At the heart of the week will be a live discussion show Australians on Porn, made in collaboration with triple j’s Hack and Essential Media, and hosted by Tom Tilley. This program will unpack Australia’s love affair with porn and ask who’s really watching it, how often, and what is it doing to our relationships.
We’ll also broadcast Revenge Porn (Australian premiere), a cautionary tale that investigates a rapidly growing phenomenon and the devastation that results when intimate photos are maliciously shared. We’ll revisit Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars and Sabour Bradley’s Head First: The Porn Ultimatum. The conflicting consequences of sex work are put under the spotlight with a range of films exploring the issues including Maddie Parry: Brothel Hostess (world premiere), A Very British Brothel (Australian premiere), Male Hookers Uncovered; Sexwork, Love and Mr Right, Nick Broomfield’s acclaimed Sex: My British Job, as well as Caro Meldrum Hanna’s profoundly moving Four Corners: Escorts on transgender sex workers. Strippers looks at the growing number of women who are turning to lap dancing to make a living in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and both Websex: What’s the Harm and Sexters look at the impact of modern communication avenues to access sex. In a special episode the Good Game team investigate the role of sex in gaming.
Once again ABC2 is tackling an issue that has never been more relevant to young Australians and their relationships. It’s time to find out about the good, the bad and the downright dirty impact of porn on the psyche of everyday Australians, and the wider implications of a world addicted to the business of sex.

Maddie Parry
3×30’
Australian Premiere
Wednesdays from 9 December at 9.30pm
In this new series by young Australian journalist Maddie Parry, we see Maddie tackle some of Australia’s most controversial workplaces – an abortion clinic, a Tasmanian logging operation and a brothel. She unpacks stereotypes and must battle her own prejudices while searching for the truth of these polarising issues. An Essential Media & Entertainment and Projector Films production.

Banged Up Abroad
Series 8 & 9
10+10×60’
ABC Premiere
Tuesdays from 15 December at 9.30pm
This series takes viewers inside accounts of capture, incarceration, and terror far away from home with intimate personal interviews and dramatic reenactments. Hear firsthand accounts not only from those who were locked up, but also from those who were directly part of the story. Whether it is the undercover agent compiling the evidence against the suspect, or the person making the drug dealing offers, you’ll see the stories from every angle.

Burger Bar To Gourmet Star
6 X 30’
ABC Premiere
Wednesdays from 16 December at 8.30pm
Some of Britain’s best chefs train up some of the country’s worst. The newbies then pose as seasoned professionals in world class kitchens. Will they get away with it?

This Old Thing With Dawn O’Porter
6X50’
Australian Premiere
Fridays from 8 January at 8.30pm
Dawn O’Porter loves clothes, but isn’t a follower of fashion. She wants to prove to people hooked on the high street that buying way too many clothes is not the way to go. Dawn O’Porter shows how to shop vintage and fill your wardrobe with beautiful, timeless pieces that look great.

Live At The Apollo
Series 11
6×45’
Australian Premiere
Saturdays from 9 January at 9.30pm
Stand-up comedy at its best. Each episode features a stand-up legend treating the crowd to a rip-roaring set before introducing two of the most exciting acts around.

ABC3

Adventure Time
39×22’
ABC Premiere
Weekdays from 7 December at 4.50pm
Finn, the boy with the awesome hat, and Jake, the wise dog, are close friends and partners in strange adventures in the land of Ooo. Whether it’s an Ice King kidnapping a princess or ninjas stealing diamonds from an old man, one thing is certain – it’s adventure!

Project MC2
3×28’
ABC Premiere
Weekdays from 9 December at 4.15pm
McKeyla, Adrienne, Bryden, and Camryn are four super smart girls recruited to join the spy organization, NOV8 (that’s “innovate”!).They use their love of science and spy skills to help save a prince’s space launch. Smart is the new cool.

The Ridonculous Race
26×22’
Abc Premiere
Weekends from 12 December at 9.30am
An action-filled outrageous animated reality series in which 18 pairs of unforgettable characters are put to the test in a frantic race around the world. Each new leg of the race features an adventure to a new country where teams will face off against brutal challenges, baffling local customs, competing teams, and travellers’ diarrhea as they race to the next chill zone on their way to the ultimate finish line. They’ll all push themselves to the limit, but only one team will win the race and the prize of one million dollars!

Make It Pop
21×22’
ABC Premiere
Weekdays from 14 December at 4.15pm
Follows three unique girls – social media maven Sun Hi (Megan Lee), bookish Corki (Erika Tham), and fashion-forward Jodi (Louriza Tronco) – who come together along with their classmate DJ Caleb (Dale Whibley) over their love of music to form their own K pop-inspired band.

Boy In A Dress
1×60’
ABC Premiere
Thursday 24 December Time TBA
Dennis is an ordinary boy; he plays football, lives with his dad and brother, but life has never really been the same since his mum left. However, transformation can happen in the most unexpected places. In Raj’s newsagent a fashion magazine seems to be calling Dennis – can it be that Kate Moss is really telling him that it’s okay for boys to like Vogue? Aided by Lisa, the coolest girl in the school, Dennis creates a whole new persona and puts it to the ultimate test – but can a boy wear a dress, and what will everyone think if they find out? Based on David Walliams’ best-selling children’s book, with an all-star cast including Jennifer Saunders, James Buckley, David Walliams and Kate Moss.

Australia Day Smackdown
1×22’
Australian Premiere
Tuesday 26 January at 8.30am
It’s Australia Day and that means Smackdown time! This year the ABC3 presenters must tackle a series of gruelling tests that will decide who is the fastest, strongest, smartest human! The prize? Their lives! An apocalyptic asteroid is heading for earth and only this year’s winners will get to hide away in a protective bunker. Might as well play to win, it’s the end of the world, after all! Stars Bajo, Grace, Hex, Ivy, James, Kayne, Liv, Nancy, Paul and Tim. An ABC3 Production.

New Adventures Of Figaro Pho
8×7’
Australian Premiere
Tuesday 26 January from 9am
Everyone of us has got at least one irrational fear… in the case of Figaro Pho, he has them all. The Adventures of Figaro Pho is a series about a warm-hearted, adorable, quirky and mischievous character who just happens to be afflicted with every phobia imaginable. He’s afraid of vampires, toilets, mad dogs, aliens, and being stared at by a duck! He’s also petrified of being alone, and so Figaro has created a mechanical companion – a dog-like robot he calls Rivet.

ABC KIDS

This summer on ABC Kids we are celebrating Christmas with three days of festive fun, along with all your favourite Christmas episodes online. Also, as we approach the 50th anniversary year of beloved Play School, we will have an exciting new series with a new host, as well as the premiere of Maurice’s Big Adventure. We are also very excited to premiere the new reboot of Teletubbies, as well as brand new episodes of Octonauts and Hey Duggee, and new series of Thomas & Friends, Mike The Knight and The Hive.

ABC IVIEW

Binge On The Best – Comedy
Thursday 10 December – 7 February
It’s the summer of gorge. Binge On The Best of Australian comedy this summer, available for free and on demand on ABC iview. Launching 10 December, Binge On The Best serves up a lovingly prepared feast of ABC comedy favourites including over 50 hours of programming, 106 episodes and 10 full series to devour on demand, wherever you are. Featuring a stellar line up of Australian comedy Binge On The Best includes: Upper Middle Bogan, Sammy J & Randy, Black Comedy, Summer Heights High, We Can Be Heroes, Soul Mates, 8MMM, Librarians, and Please Like Me.

3 Best Fest
The ABC3 Best Fest series continues on iview over summer with all episodes of our some of our best titles available for the whole of January. This Best Fest includes series one to six of Heartland, the brand new reality series featuring horse-loving New Zealand sisters Keeping Up With The Kaimanawas and perennial favourites Life with Boys, Mortified and So Awkward.

Australia Day Coverage
Australians all let us rejoice. Celebrate what makes this nation great with our comprehensive coverage of the 2016 Australia Day celebrations in Canberra. Live streamed on iview, join us as we meet the inspirational 2016 nominees in the Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero awards, welcome the nation’s newest citizens and hear the Governor-General’s address to the nation.

ABC IVIEW ARTS CHANNEL

A world of art and culture is at your fingertips this summer with an exclusive range of series, documentaries, films, original commissions and ABC archival gems on ABC iview’s Arts Channel. Check in for thought provoking

Good Game Pocket And Good Game News
Good Game Pocket is your daily dose of Good Game, presented by Nich ‘NichBoy’ Richardson. Tune in weekdays for a punchy package of pixels including reviews of the latest titles, looks at current trends and breaking news from the dynamic world of gaming.

ABC NEWS 24 & ABC

One Plus One: Nature Plus Nurture
Weeknights at 8.30pm from January 4
Jane Hutcheon presents a series of one-on-one special interviews. Guests include Damon Gameau, actor and director of That Sugar Film, Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council, Adam Liaw, chef/Masterchef winner, Prof. Emma Johnston, marine ecologist, and Jackie French, children’s author, wombat conservationist & outgoing Senior Australian of the Year.
***Please note: dates and times are a guide only and subject to change, please check TV listings nearer the time