ABC 3
ABC 3 is an ambiguous term referring to multiple broadcasting entities. In Australia, it primarily denotes ABC3, a former free-to-air digital television channel operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which served as the country's first dedicated free-to-air children's channel targeting viewers aged 6 to 15. Launched on 4 December 2009, ABC3 broadcast daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on logical channel number (LCN) 23, offering a mix of Australian and international animations, live-action dramas, comedies, documentaries, and educational content.[1] The channel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the ABC's Ultimo studios in Sydney.[1] ABC3 emphasized diversity, creativity, and interactivity, with original Australian productions alongside global programming, and incorporated online extensions for multi-platform engagement.[1] Its schedule balanced entertainment and education, including news bulletins like Behind the News.[2] The channel evolved through rebrands: to ABC Me on 19 September 2016, focusing on 8- to 15-year-olds with enhanced digital services,[2] and then to ABC Entertains on 3 June 2024, expanding to general entertainment (drama, comedy, lifestyle, movies) for tweens, teens, and adults in evenings while keeping morning educational slots for primary schoolers.[3] As of November 2025, ABC Entertains continues this format, following an upgrade to high-definition broadcasting in June 2025.[4] These changes reflect the ABC's adaptation to digital viewing habits, building on ABC3's legacy in youth public media. For details on ABC3's operations, programming, and rebrands in Australia, see the relevant sections below. In the United States, "ABC 3" commonly refers to local television stations affiliated with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) that operate on VHF channel 3. These affiliates, numbering over a dozen across various markets as of 2025, provide local news, weather, and syndicated programming alongside national ABC content. Examples include WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida (serving northwest Florida and southwest Alabama since 1954), and KTWO-TV in Casper, Wyoming (ABC affiliate since 1957).[5] The history and current status of these stations vary by region, with some dating to the mid-20th century; former affiliates have transitioned due to ownership changes or network shifts. See the sections on current and former ABC affiliates for comprehensive lists and details.ABC3 in Australia
Launch and operations
ABC3 was launched on 4 December 2009 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as Australia's first dedicated free-to-air digital children's television channel.[1] The channel was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the ABC's Ultimo Centre in Sydney, marking a significant expansion of the public broadcaster's digital offerings to cater specifically to school-aged children.[6] At its inception, ABC3 targeted viewers aged 6 to 15, providing a 24/7 digital service focused on educational, entertaining, and interactive content tailored to this demographic.[1] The channel became available nationwide via digital terrestrial television on logical channel 23, accessible to households with digital set-top boxes or integrated digital TVs, as well as through the ABC's online streaming platform, ABC iview.[1] Initial broadcast hours were set from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, filling the remainder of the schedule with a test pattern or repeats to comply with digital broadcasting standards.[1] This limited-hour format allowed the ABC to prioritize fresh content delivery while integrating seamlessly with its broader digital ecosystem, including on-demand access via iview for catch-up viewing.[7] As the ABC's dedicated youth network, ABC3 operated as a government-funded public service, independent of advertising revenue, to ensure ad-free programming that promotes Australian stories, creativity, and education.[8] It emphasized a commitment to at least 50% local Australian programming, aligning with the ABC's charter to reflect national identity and support domestic production in children's media.[9] This quota was integral to the channel's operational framework, fostering opportunities for Australian creators and ensuring cultural relevance for young audiences.[10] The initial budget allocation for ABC3 totaled $67 million from the 2009–10 Commonwealth Budget, providing multi-year funding to establish and sustain the channel's operations, including content acquisition and production.[8] This investment supported an estimated annual operating cost of around $30 million, enabling the ABC to transition school-aged children's programming from the existing kids' block on ABC1 to the new dedicated service.[11] Select ABC3 content was simulcast on ABC1 during peak times to reach non-digital households, facilitating a smooth integration and broader accessibility during the early digital transition period.[12] Technically, ABC3 launched in standard definition (SD) resolution at 576i, consistent with the ABC's multi-channel standards at the time, utilizing MPEG-2 compression for broadcast efficiency across digital networks.[13] No high-definition (HD) upgrade occurred for ABC3 during the 2009–2011 period, as the ABC prioritized SD for its digital multichannels to maximize compatibility with emerging digital infrastructure while reserving HD capacity for the main ABC1 service. This setup ensured reliable nationwide transmission via Freeview and supported the channel's focus on content over advanced visual formats in its formative years.[14]Programming and target audience
ABC3 targeted school-aged children primarily between the ages of 6 and 14, with a core focus on those aged 8 to 12, delivering a blend of educational and entertaining content designed to engage young viewers during after-school and weekend hours.[15][16] The channel emphasized Australian-produced originals alongside international imports to foster creativity, cultural awareness, and skill development, reaching an average weekly audience of approximately 562,000 children aged 5 to 14 in 2015.[17] Programming on ABC3 encompassed a diverse mix of genres, including animated series such as Total Drama Island, which aired from 2009 and featured comedic reality-show-style competitions among teen characters.[18] Live-action dramas like Dance Academy (2010–2013) followed aspiring ballet students navigating personal and professional challenges, while comedies such as My Place explored Australian history through the perspectives of children across generations.[19][20] Imported content included the BBC's Horrible Histories, a sketch comedy series that humorously depicted historical events to promote learning.[21] Other notable entries were supernatural live-action like Dead Gorgeous and prank-based shows such as Prank Patrol, which encouraged viewer participation through hidden-camera antics.[22][23] The daily schedule was structured to align with school routines, featuring morning slots from around 10:00 a.m. to noon dedicated to content for younger viewers, including educational programs during school terms, followed by afternoon peaks targeting tweens with more adventurous and tween-oriented fare.[24] Themed blocks enhanced this approach, such as weekend movie presentations that showcased family-friendly films to build extended viewing sessions.[15] ABC3 prioritized diversity and representation, particularly Indigenous perspectives, as seen in series like Lockie Leonard, which portrayed everyday life in a coastal town with Indigenous characters integrated naturally into the narrative.[25][26] Programs such as Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids promoted literacy and numeracy through moral storytelling and cautionary tales that encouraged critical thinking and ethical discussions among viewers.[27] Viewer engagement extended beyond broadcasts via multiplatform initiatives, including online games and interactive content linked to shows, which saw 78% of ABC3's online program plays accessed via mobile devices in 2016.[2][28] The channel committed to producing new Australian content annually, exemplified by commissions for original dramas and documentaries that supported local talent and cultural storytelling.[15]Rebranding and legacy
On 19 September 2016, ABC3 underwent a significant rebranding to ABC Me, shifting its target audience from children aged 6-15 to a broader range of 8-15-year-olds with an increased emphasis on teen-oriented programming, including pop culture reviews and unscripted series.[29][30] This change was driven by the need to appeal to a more digitally savvy demographic, integrating the channel with a dedicated app and enhancing accessibility through ABC iview for on-demand viewing.[31][32] The channel evolved further on 3 June 2024, rebranding as ABC Entertains to focus on entertainment programming for tweens and teens, featuring shows such as We Bare Bears alongside Australian comedies and general entertainment content.[3][33] These rebrands were motivated by audience growth strategies, the rising prominence of digital streaming platforms like ABC iview, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) efforts to consolidate youth services into more discoverable, multi-platform experiences.[3][34] ABC3's legacy endures in Australian children's television through its role in nurturing emerging talents, as exemplified by the teen drama Dance Academy, which aired on the channel and won the 2011 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children's Drama.[35] The channel's original programming contributed to the development of youth-focused content that influenced subsequent ABC youth initiatives, with many ABC3-era shows receiving Logie nominations for their impact on diverse storytelling for young viewers.[36] Archival ABC3 content remains accessible on current platforms, allowing ongoing engagement with its historical contributions to educational and entertaining media for children.[37] As of 2025, ABC3's youth-oriented successor operates as ABC Big Kids on YouTube and ABC iview, providing bonus content and streams tailored for school-aged viewers, including Australian-produced shows and international animations.[38]ABC 3 in the United States
Current ABC affiliates
As of 2025, ABC affiliates operating on virtual channel 3 or incorporating "ABC 3" into their on-air branding serve as primary network outlets in numerous mid-sized U.S. markets, delivering ABC's national programming alongside localized content such as news, weather, and community events. These stations typically maintain full affiliations without recent disruptions, with many leveraging digital subchannels to multicast additional ABC feeds, classic programming, or complementary networks like MeTV or Ion. Ownership is distributed among major groups including Gray Media, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and TEGNA, reflecting the fragmented structure of local broadcasting. No significant affiliation shifts have occurred for these outlets since the early 2020s, ensuring stable coverage in their respective designated market areas (DMAs). These affiliates emphasize local relevance, often ranking among the top stations in their markets for viewership during key newscasts and prime-time slots. For instance, in the Palm Springs market (DMA rank 145), KESQ-TV operates as the ABC affiliate with "News Channel 3" branding on cable slot 3 (over-the-air virtual 42), providing essential coverage for the Coachella Valley since 1968 under News-Press & Gazette Company ownership. Similarly, in Rapid City (DMA rank 169), KOTA-TV has held the ABC affiliation on virtual channel 3 since 1953, now owned by Gray Media, with recent expansions to subchannels for enhanced local and network access. Other stations focus on regional needs, such as severe weather reporting in the Midwest or tourism-driven stories in coastal areas.[39] The table below highlights representative examples of current ABC affiliates fitting this profile, including market details and operational notes.| Call Sign | Market (DMA Rank) | Virtual Channel | Affiliation Since | Owner | Branding Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KATC-TV | Lafayette, LA (124) | 3 | 1955 | E. W. Scripps Company (pending sale to Gray Media) | KATC 3: Acadiana's News Channel; local news emphasis for Cajun region.[40] |
| KEYT-TV | Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, CA (89) | 3 | 1953 | News-Press & Gazette | News Channel 3-12; covers Central Coast with shared services for expanded reach.[41] |
| KESQ-TV | Palm Springs, CA (145) | 42 (cable 3) | 1968 | News-Press & Gazette Company | News Channel 3; focuses on desert communities, weather, and entertainment.[39] |
| KIII-TV | Corpus Christi, TX (130) | 3 | 1964 | TEGNA | 3NEWS; coastal Texas coverage including hurricanes and energy sector news. |
| KOTA-TV | Rapid City, SD (169) | 3 | 1953 | Gray Media | KOTA Territory News; Black Hills regional focus with subchannels for ABC overflow. |
| WEAR-TV | Pensacola-Mobile, FL-AL (57) | 3 | 1955 | Sinclair Broadcast Group | ABC 3 / WEAR News; dual ABC-NBC operation serving Gulf Coast markets. |
| WHSV-TV | Harrisonburg, VA (173) | 3 | 1953 | Gray Media | WHSV 3; Shenandoah Valley news with multi-network subchannels including ABC primary. |
| WSIL-TV | Paducah, KY-IL (90) | 3 | 1953 | Allen Media Group (pending sale to Gray Media) | ABC 3 WSIL TV; tri-state area coverage for news and agriculture. |