In a bold move the ABC has announced a further move into the digital age.  Manager Director Mark Scott announced on 12 March that the ABC would provide:

"1. ABC PLAYBACK
ABC Playback is an internet television service. For the first time in Australia it offers an authentic, full-screen television experience. It provides catch-up TV so audiences can schedule the ABC’s top programs when they want. There will also be new channels offering the best of the ABC’s content.

2. ABC LOCAL
Sixty new ABC Local sites are now live around the country, replacing the old Local radio sites known as The Backyard.
For audiences, these sites are the richest expression of localism within the Australian digital space – a site full of local broadband content, text, audio, and stills now capturing the diversity and complexity of the local experience in sixty different regions.

3. ABC’S 24/7 CONTINUOUS NEWS CENTRE
This year construction will begin on the ABC's first purpose built Continuous News Centre in Ultimo, set up to provide multiple, simultaneous continuous streams of news content.
A digital age service, the CNC will ultimately deliver news 24 hours a day to every outlet of the ABC – ABC1, ABC2, ABC Online, Australia Network, radio, internet TV, PDA's, to broadband clients, mobiles – any destination within the digital domain.

4. ABC SHOP DOWNLOADS
ABC Shop Downloads offers customers an online browsing and shopping experience unrivalled in the Australian market. The integrated ABC Commercial media player and
download manager gives ABC Shop customers access to a huge catalogue of DVD, CD and Download products to buy or rent in a download format."

Darce Cassidy comments:

There is a great deal that is positive in this news from the ABC.  In particular ABC Local has the potential to confirm and extend the ABC's role as a truly national broadcaster, a service that documents and facilitates both unity and diversity.

At this early stage some questions remain.

• Will these new services be funded by government, or will they be financed on the rob Peter to pay Paul principle?
• Will the ABC Shop have greater prominence, and will its commercial outlook have a greater impact on mainstream ABC program values?