ABC open to formats for the greater good

Back in 2010 then-ABC Director of Television Kim Dalton had a ban on the public broadcaster picking up international formats.

But times have changed.

Since then ABC has successfully screened shows such as Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, War on Waste and Back in Time for Dinner to wide acclaim and strong ratings.

Jennifer Collins Acting Director, Entertainment and Specialist tells TV Tonight there are definitely times a format is a good fit.

“I’m really selective about formats. I’m not interested in a show just because it’s a format and it’s worked elsewhere. It’s got to be a particular format that works with a public service broadcaster, and it has some public value.,” she said.

(Back in Time for the Corner Shop) is just such a great format because it’s history. War on Waste, similarly is a format, but it really does heavy lifting for us, in terms of its public values. Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds is such a gift. Old People’s Home for Teenagers gave it a new spin. That’s the first time the Teenagers (version) has been done in the world.

“We’re open to adapting and reinvigorating formats. I think Australia has a history of doing that really well, actually.”

Back in Time for the Corner Shop screens on March 7 while War on Waste returns later this year and Collins hopes to announce more from Old People’s Home for Teenagers.