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ABC Family (Australian TV channel)

ABC Family is an Australian free-to-air digital television channel operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (), specializing in family-friendly content designed for co-viewing by children and parents. Launched on 3 June 2024, it replaced the previous ABC TV Plus channel and airs from 7:30 pm each evening, immediately following the ABC Kids programming block, to create a seamless for family audiences. The channel broadcasts a mix of comedies, game shows, documentaries, and movies, featuring Australian and international titles such as Hard Quiz Kids hosted by , Style It Out, Deadly Mission Shark, Expedition with Steve Backshall, Fresh Off The Boat, and Little Lunch. This rebranding aims to enhance discoverability and provide a stronger connection between children's and family-oriented programming, positioning ABC as a leading provider of for multi-generational viewing. ABC Family complements the broader ABC television network, which includes ABC TV, , and ABC Entertains, all delivered via digital terrestrial transmission.

History

Origins and launch

The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) laid the foundational recommendations for digital terrestrial television (DTTB) in Australia through its 1995 report Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in Australia. The report advocated for the adoption of a single DTTB standard with high-definition television (HDTV) capabilities from launch, allocation of a full 7 MHz channel to each licensed broadcaster including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and a target commencement of permanent DTTB services by 2000 following an experimental phase. These guidelines enabled planning for multi-channel digital services, with the ABC proposing non-commercial multi-channelling aligned to its public service charter obligations, as explored in government policy discussions by 1998. In the late , the ABC advanced its digital strategy through submissions like its 1999 Digital Television Programming and Content Strategy, presented to the Productivity Commission Review of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, emphasizing expanded public service delivery via digital platforms. Digital TV services began rolling out in metropolitan areas from 1 January 2001, prompting the ABC to launch initial multi-channels ABC Kids (targeting preschool and school-aged children) and Fly TV (youth-oriented) in December 2001. However, persistent funding shortfalls and limited audience penetration led to their closure on 30 June 2003; the channels collectively cost $7 million annually against the ABC's total $760 million budget, with federal government requests for additional funding denied, resulting in Fly TV reaching only 300,000 viewers monthly and ABC Kids 500,000. ABC Managing Director Russell Balding cited the absence of viable financial alternatives as the decisive factor. The closures underscored the need for a more efficient model, prompting ABC executives to advocate for family-oriented expansion to fulfill commitments without excessive costs. Led by Managing Director Russell Balding, senior management developed a proposal for a supplementary over several months, securing approval in August 2004 for what would become ABC2, positioned under the and Digital Services division to leverage existing . Balding emphasized the 's role in enhancing ABC's presence for families through complementary, time-shifted content. ABC2 launched quietly on 7 March 2005 as a standard-definition digital-only service on channel 21, designed as a low-cost complement to the primary ABC1 channel with an annual budget of approximately $3 million—far less than its predecessors—enabled by digital automation and repeat programming strategies. Operationally, it shared the ABC's allocated 7 MHz digital spectrum multiplex, initially planned for ABC1's , allowing efficient use for both services without additional allocation. The channel focused on supplementary programming to extend ABC1's reach, particularly for audiences, while adhering to initial genre restrictions on , , and . Regulatory advancements followed in October 2006 with the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Act 2006, which lifted genre restrictions on and multi-channels, permitting diverse content like , comedy, and entertainment to accelerate digital TV uptake. ABC Managing Director Mark Scott hailed the changes as enabling greater flexibility for ABC2's evolution.

As ABC2 (2005–2017)

Upon its launch in 2005, ABC2 offered a programming mix that included timeshifted content from ABC1, repeats of established shows, a dedicated children's block in the mornings and early afternoons, and original commissions such as the news and current affairs program Australia Wide (2005–2017) and entertainment-focused Triple J TV. This initial lineup emphasized Australian-produced content, with approximately 80% of programming being domestic during the 2005–06 financial year, incorporating elements of bulletins, segments like regional reporting, general repeats (e.g., and ), and introductory sports highlights to complement the parent channel. From 2005 to 2010, the schedule gradually diversified to include more factual documentaries and lifestyle programs, aiming to provide supplementary viewing options without overlapping ABC1's prime-time focus. The channel's sports coverage expanded significantly over the period, serving as a secondary outlet for live events and relays to alleviate pressure on ABC1 during major broadcasts. Notable examples included dedicated afternoon and evening sessions for the , alongside nightly highlights, which exemplified the growing role of ABC2 in sports dissemination. This expansion continued through 2017, with ABC2 providing overflow coverage for international events, contributing to the channel's positioning as a versatile multi-channel asset within the ABC's digital portfolio. Audience metrics demonstrated steady growth for ABC2 from 2005 to 2016, reflecting successful adaptation to digital viewing habits. By mid-2008, weekly reach in the five metropolitan cities averaged 860,000 viewers, peaking at 1.5 million during the Paralympic coverage, with prime-time free-to-air share stabilizing at 0.6%. Children's programming achieved strong market shares, such as 11.5% among 0–12-year-olds, outperforming select pay TV competitors. Later highlights included the 2011 premiere of on ABC2, which drew 262,000 viewers initially and averaged 203,000 in its regular slot, underscoring sustained engagement. Technical upgrades during the era focused on enhancing digital delivery, with ABC2 benefiting from the national rollout of post-2005 launch, including early adoption of MPEG-4 compression in select markets around 2010 to improve broadcast . In the early , ABC's internal decisions on multi-channel strategy were shaped by ongoing funding debates, as government appropriations—comprising 83.4% of the corporation's 2009–10 revenue—had declined 24% in real terms since the mid-1980s, prompting a shift toward (from 65% in-house production in 2001–02 to 45% by 2010–11) and prioritization of high-impact areas like children's content on ABC2. This triennial funding boost for 2009–12 supported drama and regional initiatives but highlighted tensions over rising costs for acquired content (up 8% since mid-2009) amid competition from 16 commercial digital channels. By the mid-, these pressures, coupled with shifting audience demographics toward younger viewers, set the stage for ABC2's eventual in 2017.

Rebranding to ABC Comedy (2017–2020)

On 28 October 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) announced the rebranding of its digital channel ABC2 to ABC Comedy, effective from 4 December 2017, as part of a strategic shift to consolidate its comedy offerings into a dedicated primetime slot targeting adult audiences. The rebrand replaced ABC2's eclectic evening lineup with a focused comedy block airing from 7:30 pm, while retaining ABC Kids programming during the day until 7:30 pm. This move aimed to leverage the ABC's established reputation for "clever and intelligent" narrative comedy and entertainment, which had previously been scattered across channels and platforms, in response to ABC2's stagnant ratings, including a 2.9% overnight share in the weeks leading up to the announcement. The programming overhaul emphasized a mix of Australian and international comedy formats, including scripted series, sketch shows, stand-up specials, and short-form digital content adapted for television. Key launches included the weeknight panel show Tonightly with Tom Ballard at 9 pm from Monday to Thursday, hosted by comedian Tom Ballard with field reporters, alongside binge-style repeats of Australian hits like Rosehaven, The Ex-PM, and Get Krack!n. The channel also featured international acquisitions and classics such as The IT Crowd and Black Books, alongside short-form sketches from creators like Kiki and Kitty, CelesteChallengeAccepted, and The Chinaboy Show. This curation sought to appeal to adult viewers seeking humorous, satirical content amid the growing saturation of multi-channel television landscapes in . Viewer reception was mixed, with some praise for the refreshed focus on high-quality Australian comedy but criticism over the reduction in broader family-oriented repeats that had characterized ABC2's evenings. Ratings remained modest, hovering around low single-digit shares, reflecting ongoing challenges for secondary digital channels in a fragmented media environment. ABC director of television David Anderson noted the rebrand's goal to unify comedy across TV, radio, digital, and podcasts, including a new YouTube channel and ABC listen app integrations, to better engage audiences in an era of on-demand viewing. The ABC Comedy era concluded in late 2020 amid a major ABC-wide restructuring driven by federal funding cuts of $84 million, leading to up to 250 job losses and programming reductions. On 24 June 2020, the ABC confirmed the channel's to ABC TV Plus effective 1 January 2021, shifting to a more generalist entertainment format to broaden appeal and incorporate diverse content beyond .

As ABC TV Plus (2021–2023)

On 1 January 2021, the Broadcasting Corporation () rebranded its secondary digital channel from ABC Comedy to ABC TV Plus, transitioning from a comedy-centric format to a general service designed to offer diverse supplementary content alongside the main ABC TV channel. Airing from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily on digital channel 22, channel 134, and channel 126, the channel aimed to celebrate culture, creativity, and storytelling through inclusive programming that connected audiences with local talent. This rebrand marked a return to a broader scope, differing from the narrower humor focus of its predecessor by emphasizing eclectic to complement primetime offerings on the primary network. ABC TV Plus featured a mix of premieres and repeats across genres, including documentaries, dramas, and shows to appeal to varied interests. Notable examples included the documentary series : Life on the Edge, which explored personal narratives, the special as a primetime premiere, and lifestyle program George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, showcasing innovative and home designs. The schedule also incorporated , religion, , and content three nights a week, alongside and international acquisitions, fostering a generalist approach that prioritized cultural and educational value over specialized themes. The profoundly influenced ABC TV Plus operations in 2021 and 2022, exacerbating production challenges across the Australian screen sector. Disruptions included halted shoots due to lockdowns, actor and crew quarantines, and location unavailability, which increased costs through enhanced health protocols and insurance premiums. Scheduling adjustments were common, with scripts revised for remote filming or smaller casts, leading to delays in new drama and documentary releases; this resulted in heavier reliance on archival repeats and international content to maintain the broadcast slate. These impacts highlighted broader vulnerabilities in , prompting adaptive strategies like accelerated digital distribution via ABC iview. Viewership for ABC TV Plus showed modest growth in metro and regional audiences during 2021-2022, with average shares hovering around 2-3% amid overall ABC TV declines, but internal analyses revealed opportunities for stronger through more defined programming niches. By , audience feedback indicated the model, while versatile, lacked targeted for key demographics like families, contributing to calls for refinement. In response, a strategic review in early led to the announcement on 8 May that ABC TV Plus would rebrand as ABC Family on 3 June, aiming to enhance discoverability and align with shifting viewer preferences for co-viewing content.

Rebranding to ABC Family (2024–present)

On 9 May 2024, the (ABC) announced the rebranding of ABC TV Plus to , effective from 3 June 2024. This change aimed to create a dedicated space for family-oriented programming, with airing from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, followed by ABC Family content until 5:00 a.m. the next day. The rebrand's strategic rationale centered on addressing fragmented viewing habits among families by integrating daytime children's programming with evening suitable for co-viewing between parents and older children or teens. ABC executives emphasized that this approach would simplify the channel lineup, enhance content discoverability, and adapt to evolving audience behaviors in a digital landscape, where families increasingly seek shared viewing experiences across linear and platforms. By consolidating titles such as comedies, game shows, and programs into evening slots, the channel sought to foster intergenerational engagement while maintaining the ABC's commitment to Australian-made content for young audiences. Early reception to the rebrand has been positive, with significant ratings growth in family-targeted time slots. Three months after launch, ABC Family reported more than double the primetime child audience (ages 0-12) compared to the former channel. Co-viewing in the pre-bedtime zone also doubled, alongside increased iView viewing minutes across the ABC's multichannel portfolio, indicating stronger engagement in family-oriented programming. In 2025, ABC Family has seen expansions through new commissions tailored to family and teen audiences, including the animated series Do Not Watch This Show by Andy Lee, the preschool action-comedy Knee High Spies, and the animated Piki Lullaby featuring Christine Anu, all premiering on the channel and ABC iview. Additional developments include the return of Teenage Boss: Next Level and new episodes of Kangaroo Beach and Gardening Australia Junior, broadening teen content with themes of empowerment, adventure, and education. These additions reflect ongoing investment in original Australian productions to sustain family appeal. In November 2025, the ABC appointed Wearne as Head of Children's and Family, effective early 2026, to lead the division overseeing the largest slate of children's programming in . Looking ahead, ABC Family forms a key element of the ABC's multi-channel strategy, which prioritizes platform-agnostic content delivery to reach digital-native families through broadcast, iview streams, and . Future developments include four dedicated iview digital streams for children's and family viewing, alongside continued commissioning of local to adapt to shifting demographics and viewing trends as of late 2025.

Programming

Overview and broadcast schedule

ABC Family is an Australian free-to-air operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (), focusing on family-oriented entertainment designed for co-viewing among older children, teenagers, and parents. The channel emphasizes a mix of Australian-produced and international content, including comedies, documentaries, game shows, and movies, to provide engaging viewing experiences that appeal across generations. The channel broadcasts daily from 7:30 pm to 4:00 am AEST/AEDT, sharing multiplex bandwidth with ABC Kids, which airs from 5:00 am to 7:30 pm. This arrangement optimizes spectrum use within the ABC's digital terrestrial network, allowing seamless transitions between children's daytime programming and evening family content. In terms of schedule structure, ABC Family typically features primetime slots from 7:30 pm to around 10:00 pm dedicated to fresh family and teen entertainment, followed by late-night repeats and additional content until sign-off at 4:00 am. This format supports consistent weekly viewing patterns, with emphasis on accessible, high-quality programming that integrates with the ABC's online platforms like iview for on-demand access and extended availability. The channel transmits in standard definition at 576i resolution, ensuring compatibility with most Australian households while prioritizing content delivery over high-definition upgrades. Historically, the evening schedule has evolved from the broader general-interest focus of the ABC2 era, adapting to more targeted family programming under the current branding.

Current programming

ABC Family's current programming lineup emphasizes family-friendly content with a strong focus on originals, targeting children aged 6-14 and their families, featuring a mix of , live-action , and genres to appeal to both kids and teens. The channel prioritizes educational and entertaining shows that promote creativity, problem-solving, and cultural representation, with many titles commissioned or co-produced by the Broadcasting Corporation () to support local talent. Key original Australian productions include Hard Quiz Kids, a live-action comedy quiz show hosted by Tom Gleeson, where young contestants compete on topics like Bluey and Australian wildlife; its second season premiered on ABC Family in October 2025, drawing strong viewership among 8-12-year-olds for its humorous take on trivia. Another highlight is The Strange Chores, an animated adventure-comedy series about teenage monster hunters tackling supernatural household tasks, with season 3 episodes airing regularly in 2025 as an ABC-commissioned production emphasizing quirky Australian humor. Little Lunch and The Inbestigators, both live-action comedies created in Australia, feature schoolyard antics and mystery-solving by primary school kids; these staples repeat frequently, appealing to 7-11 demographics with relatable, mockumentary-style storytelling. Animation forms a core genre, with ongoing repeats of the beloved Australian original , following a playful Blue Heeler puppy and her family in everyday adventures, which remains a top-rated show for preschoolers and families since its 2018 debut but continues to air new specials in 2025. , a British-Australian co-production animated series about a clever sheep and his farmyard friends, airs daily episodes, blending slapstick humor and mild adventure for 5-9-year-olds. Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, an animated adventure targeting 4-7-year-olds, follows young Jedi trainees on galactic missions and premiered its second season episodes on ABC Family in 2025, introducing themes of teamwork and bravery. Live-action and documentary-style shows add variety, such as , a comedy about an immigrant family's American experiences, airing weekly repeats in late evenings for teen viewers aged 12-15, highlighting cultural adaptation. Expedition with , an adventure documentary series exploring remote wildlife habitats, features the naturalist in high-stakes explorations and airs as part of ABC Family's 2024 launch slate, engaging 8-14-year-olds with educational content on conservation. The Secret Life of Our Pets, a factual series revealing animal behaviors through science and animation, appeals to animal-loving families and continues with episodes in 2025. Fantasy adventure is represented by repeats of , the British series following the young wizard's exploits in Camelot, scheduled for older kids and teens (10-15) in primetime slots, offering magical storytelling that ties into the channel's teen appeal. Overall, the programming integrates seamlessly with ABC Family's evening schedule, prioritizing Australian content like Hard Quiz Kids and as exclusive commissions to foster national storytelling.

Former programming blocks

ABC2 featured a dedicated news and current affairs block from its launch in 2005 until 2010, serving as a supplement to the main ABC channel by airing late-night bulletins, analysis programs, and international feeds such as , which provided daily updates from the Asia-Pacific region. This block included shows like Lateline and in off-peak slots, extending ABC's journalistic reach to digital audiences during non-prime hours. The segment helped fill the channel's schedule under initial genre restrictions imposed by the Australian government, which limited digital multichannels to supplementary content rather than competing directly with primary services. Sports coverage formed another key programming block on ABC2 from 2005 to 2017, featuring live relays and dedicated slots for events including the Olympics, state-based competitions, and niche leagues. For instance, during the 2008 Olympics, ABC2 broadcast live sessions from 1pm to 5pm and 7:30pm to 11pm, hosted by commentators like Steve Robilliard, allowing overflow from the main channel to reach broader viewers. The block also included relays of matches, such as historical replays and select live domestic games, alongside programs like Offsiders for sports analysis, and coverage of events like the Paralympics, VFL, SANFL, WAFL, W-League, and Marngrook Footy Show. This programming positioned ABC2 as a hub for extended sports viewing, particularly for regional and niche audiences, until rights and production shifted. Under the ABC Comedy rebrand from 2017 to 2020, the channel introduced a specialized block airing from 7:30pm, focusing on scripted series, stand-up, and panel shows to target adult humor enthusiasts. Key examples included Australian originals like , , and At Home With Julia, alongside British imports such as and international hits like , with late-night slots for emerging talents via Comedy Up Late. The block emphasized irreverent and satirical content, including local commissions such as The Roast and Fancy Boy, to differentiate from the main 's broader fare. This phase-out occurred with the 2021 rebrand to ABC TV Plus, which broadened the evening schedule to incorporate documentaries, , , and general entertainment, diluting the exclusive focus. Discontinuations of these blocks stemmed from evolving budget priorities, shifting audience viewing habits toward platforms, and post-2006 regulatory relaxations that freed multichannels from strict limits, enabling more flexible scheduling. The block ended in May 2011 amid ABC's strategy to consolidate on the primary channel while expanding ABC2's daytime kids programming to 7pm, reflecting cost efficiencies and a pivot to youth demographics. Sports relays phased out by 2017 due to outsourced rights deals and reduced TV budgets for live events, with increasingly handled by radio or streaming. The block's broadening in 2021 responded to audience data showing demand for diverse evening content, optimizing limited multichannel funding amid declining linear TV viewership. No major regulatory mandates drove these changes after 2006, but internal ABC reviews emphasized resource allocation to high-impact digital and family-oriented programming. These blocks significantly shaped ABC2's identity as a versatile digital companion to the main service, with establishing journalistic depth, fostering through local and national events, and injecting cultural relevance during its dedicated era. Their phase-out facilitated the channel's evolution toward inclusive, family-centric content by , aligning with broader shifts in viewer preferences for accessible, multi-genre .

Distribution and availability

Digital terrestrial television

ABC Family is available nationwide on logical channel number (LCN) 22 through , Australia's platform. The channel operates as a part-time service, sharing its LCN with ABC Kids programming during daytime hours (typically 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), transitioning to ABC Family content in the evenings. Transmission occurs in 576i standard definition (SD) using the DVB-T standard within the ABC multiplex, which also carries ABC TV (LCNs 2 for SD and 20 for HD), ABC Entertains (LCN 23), and ABC News (LCN 24). Frequencies for the multiplex vary by region to optimize coverage; for instance, in Sydney, it is broadcast on VHF channel 12 at 226.5 MHz from the Gore Hill transmitter, while other areas use UHF channels such as 28 in parts of regional New South Wales. The service is fully compatible with digital televisions and set-top boxes supporting MPEG-2 SD decoding, with no high-definition (HD) variant or post-2024 signal upgrades implemented for ABC Family. The channel provides comprehensive national coverage via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's extensive terrestrial network of 614 digital television transmitters, serving 99.5% of the population (as of 2023–24) and extending to remote and communities through and translator sites. This infrastructure ensures reliable over-the-air delivery across metropolitan, regional, and rural areas, originally established with the launch of ABC2 on on 7 November 2005.

Online streaming and other platforms

ABC Family content is accessible through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) video-on-demand platform, ABC iview, which provides of the channel's broadcast schedule, catch-up episodes for recently aired programs, and an extensive on-demand library featuring family-oriented shows. This service allows Australian viewers to watch content for free across multiple devices, including computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices, with live streams reflecting the schedule and consuming up to 2GB per hour in . As the primary option remains , ABC iview complements it by offering flexible, internet-based access without requiring a traditional broadcast setup. The ABC iview app is available for download on and devices, enabling mobile and tablet users to stream ABC Family programming on the go, though licensing restrictions prevent offline downloads of content. Users must create a free account to access personalized features like watchlists, but the app focuses on uninterrupted, ad-free streaming of over 5,000 hours of content, including family titles. Access to ABC iview, including ABC Family streams, is geo-restricted to viewers within due to content licensing agreements, with attempts to use VPNs often blocked as the service detects and masks location data. Overseas, a limited selection of flagship programs is available in the "ABC Australia" category on the iview website, but full ABC Family access requires an Australian IP address. ABC iview integrates with the Freeview Australia app and service, allowing users to discover and stream ABC Family content alongside other free-to-air offerings through a unified interface on compatible smart TVs and mobile devices. Following the 2024 rebranding to ABC Family, iview has emphasized expanded delivery of school-age and family content via curated digital pathways, enhancing on-demand accessibility without altering the core streaming model.

Branding and logos

2005–2017 (ABC2 era)

ABC2 launched on 7 March 2005 as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's first digital multichannel, with initial branding that positioned it as a supplementary service to the main ABC TV channel, featuring a prominent "2" integrated into promotional materials to signify additional viewing options. The original , "More Choice, More Often," underscored this role, appearing in early promos that placed the channel logo in iconic Australian settings. In February , ABC2 underwent its first major refresh alongside the rebranding of ABC TV to ABC1, introducing a yellow-toned with bolder for greater visibility and the new "Connecting 2" to emphasize audience engagement across platforms. This update aligned the channel's visual identity with the broader ABC family while maintaining a focus on its connective, supplementary function. On-air graphics evolved to include dynamic idents depicting landscapes and cultural motifs, such as urban scenes and vistas, to reflect the channel's diverse supplementary content. A further evolution occurred in April 2011 with a visual revamp—the first since —featuring updated graphics optimized for modern viewing, including brighter colors and quirkier animations under the "Always Brighter." This refresh aimed to modernize the brand for a contemporary audience while retaining the core emphasis on expanded offerings. Bumpers and idents during this phase incorporated thematic elements like vibrant patterns and abstract representations of connectivity, reinforcing the channel's position as an accessible extension of programming for families and news enthusiasts. Branding campaigns throughout the era promoted ABC2 as delivering "more ABC" through targeted ads highlighting its role in providing supplementary family-oriented and news-related content beyond the primary channel. Toward the end of 2017, promotional teases began previewing the channel's rebrand to ABC Comedy, marking the conclusion of the ABC2 era with a pivot to specialized programming.

2017–2021 (ABC Comedy and ABC TV Plus)

On December 4, 2017, the Broadcasting Corporation rebranded its secondary channel from ABC2 to ABC Comedy, marking a dedicated focus on comedic programming including scripted series, stand-up specials, and panel shows. This shift aimed to provide a comprehensive platform for and humor, responding to audience demand for genre-specific content amid evolving viewing habits. The rebrand departed from the supplementary style of the prior ABC2 era, which emphasized general repeats and brighter, blue-toned visuals, by prioritizing laughter-driven narratives and talent development. The ABC Comedy logo introduced a humorous, playful design featuring the word "COMEDY" in a bold font, constructed with a Meccano-like assembly of interlocking pieces for a whimsical, buildable appearance, often rendered in vibrant, lurid colors such as green, yellow, or red to evoke energy and fun. Idents during this period centered on live-action comedic sketches in dynamic backgrounds, where three animated dots progressively formed the channel name alongside the iconic ABC Lissajous symbol, reinforcing motifs of surprise and laughter. Promos highlighted sketch-style previews of upcoming shows, tying into marketing campaigns that spotlighted emerging Australian comedians like Tom Ballard in flagship programs such as Tonightly with Tom Ballard, which launched concurrently to drive viewer engagement. The color scheme transitioned from ABC2's cool blues to warmer, saturated tones, enhancing the channel's approachable and irreverent identity. On January 1, 2021, ABC Comedy was rebranded as ABC TV Plus, expanding its scope to encompass a broader range of programming including documentaries, , , and live performances, as part of the ABC's strategy to celebrate creativity amid cost efficiencies and diversified audience preferences. The new logo adopted a clean, versatile aesthetic, integrating "TV Plus" in a straightforward style next to the ABC to symbolize added content variety without the playful exaggeration of the previous iteration. Idents and promos shifted to eclectic previews showcasing diverse genres, such as cultural highlights and premiere documentaries, with a neutral color palette of whites, grays, and subtle accents replacing the comedy era's bold hues for a more inclusive, modern feel. This evolution facilitated smoother viewer adaptation by aligning with multi-platform consumption trends, where audiences increasingly sought control over varied, on-demand experiences, and integrated marketing tie-ins like cross-promotions with ABC iview to boost discoverability of non-comedy offerings.

2024–present (ABC Family)

In June 2024, the launched the ABC Family branding as part of a broader multichannel restructure, replacing the ABC TV Plus identity to emphasize family co-viewing and intergenerational entertainment. This rebranding, announced on 9 May 2024, positions the channel as a continuation of ABC Kids programming, airing from 7:30 p.m. daily with content suitable for older children, parents, and the whole family, including comedies, game shows, documentaries, and movies. The shift aims to create a safer, more discoverable viewing environment amid evolving audience behaviors toward on-demand and bingeable content. The new logo, introduced on 3 June 2024, features the text "ABC FAMILY" rendered in the ABC Sans font, preserving the corporation's established typographic heritage while adopting a clean, approachable style to convey inclusivity and warmth. ABC heritage colors—primarily reds, whites, and blues—are integrated to link the design to the broader brand family, with subtle rounded elements in the lettering suggesting softness and accessibility for family audiences. This supports the channel's goal of fostering shared viewing moments, evolving from the more generalist ABC TV Plus aesthetic to one tailored for household co-viewing. On-air elements under the ABC Family branding include a suite of idents that debuted with the launch, featuring short animated vignettes of diverse families in everyday co-viewing scenarios, such as gathering around the TV for game nights or nature documentaries. These idents, produced in vibrant colors matching the logo palette, reinforce themes of connection and joy, often transitioning smoothly into program promotions. Promotional campaigns launched alongside the rebrand highlight "family time" narratives, with cross-promotions linking ABC Family to ABC Kids content—such as trailers for shows like Kids and Style It Out—to encourage seamless evening viewing routines across the ABC's youth and family lineup. Digital assets were updated concurrently, including refreshed icons and graphics on the ABC iview platform and to improve family accessibility, with intuitive for age-appropriate recommendations. Four new dedicated iview streams—focusing on family favorites, cartoons, live-action, and educational content—launched on 3 June 2024 to complement the linear channel, enabling on-demand co-viewing options.

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