ABC3 delayed to 2009

Plans to launch ABC3 next month have been put on hold.

The ABC has been hoping to launch a dedicated television channel for children and teenagers for some time. It strategically announced its ambitions before the November Federal Election, which were a supported in an $82m pre-election promise by the Howard Government.

The Rudd Government has always played coy when it comes to ABC3, delaying any answers until the Federal Budget. Now Labor insiders have said pressure to keep spending under control meant only election promises would be funded in the May 13 budget.

The ABC would have to wait until the 2009 budget and argue for the children’s channel funding as part of its three-year funding review, which is due next year.

The ABC has been asked to lodged its funding request by the end of this year. Its managing director, Mark Scott, and chairman, Maurice Newman, were in Canberra lobbying ministers last week.

As part of the campaign to win support, ABC chiefs and board members will host a reception at Parliament House for MPs tonight featuring many of their TV and radio stars, including Bananas in Pajamas and Play School presenters. Part of that campaign also appears to be a move by the ABC to send out a message that it’s “them not us” who is the cause of the delay. Will it work?

Source: Sydney Morning Herald