ABC TV has recently announced its 2015 slate. The line-up for the New Year showcases the depth, diversity and quality of programming that audiences have come to expect.
“2015 is about cementing ABC TV as the home of Australian stories and national conversations. That’s what will set us apart”, says Richard Finlayson, Director of Television. “The digital media revolution will step up a gear in 2015, but ABC TV’s commitment to entertain, inform and educate our audiences is a constant. Now, equally important is understanding the user experience on new devices and growing opportunities for audiences to watch our shows where and when they want.”
Mr Finlayson announced that in early 2015 iview users will have the ability to buy and download current series and ABC classics, without leaving the iview application.
Finlayson pointed out some of the highlights of the upcoming year include Comedian CHARLIE PICKERING returns to ABC to present a news comedy show that promises to be opinionated and outspoken; Shaun Micallef stars as our third longest-serving prime minister in THE EX-PM – a narrative comedy that fixes its beady eye on the world of grounded high-flyers struggling to stay relevant; and Wil Anderson heads home to Australia for a fresh new take on the world of spin, along with regular GRUEN panellists Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft. While Australian drama will be premiered in 2015 including THE SECRET RIVER – the screen adaptation of Kate Grenville’s classic novel about a good man compelled to participate in a crime of inhuman savagery; HIDING – the tale of a Queensland family who are placed into witness protection in Sydney; THE BEAUTIFUL LIE – a contemporary re-imagining of the greatest tragic romance of all time, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
Marking the centenary of the ANZAC ABC TV will commemorate with a line-up of dedicated programming. Sam Neill presents THE WAVES OF ANZAC COVE – a uniquely personal account of Gallipoli and all it has come to mean to Australia and New Zealand; THE WALER: AUSTRALIA’S GREAT WARHORSE – the compelling story of the 120,000 horses that served our ANZAC expeditionary forces; and VIETNAM ANZACS – a remarkable portrait of war and its long term consequences.
Finlayson also pointed out that Kayne Tremills is back for another exciting series of MY GREAT BIG ADVENTURE; the creators of Upper Middle Bogan bring us LITTLE LUNCH – a comedy about what happens in the primary school playground at snack time; MY LIFE IN 50 WORDS OR LESS sees five Indigenous kids travel a long way from home to explore their dreams in the big city; and sail away to a world of fun and adventure with Sydney the sailboat and Zip the water taxi in BUBBLE BATH BAY.
