About ABC2
ABC2 is the ABC's free digital-only national TV channel. It offers an exciting alternative - innovative, fun programming of the quality you expect from ABC. It will also screen some of your favourites from ABC1 at different times. You can watch ABC2 in all homes equipped with free-to-air digital set-top-boxes and on all the major subscription TV platforms.
ABC2 been on air since March 2005 and features programs you won't see anywhere else on television, as well as some of your ABC TV favourites. That means that you have more choice of ABC viewing - whether it's to catch shows like Gardening Australia, At the Movies or Four Corners at a time that suits you or to access the quality ABC Kids programs that families love or to find something new. The choice is yours! For more information check out abc.net.au/newtv
Not only will you receive ABC2 by switching to digital, there are other benefits too.
A Better Picture*:
Digital television can overcome many problems like ghosting and electrical interference that might be making your current viewing experience less than satisfactory.
Widescreen:
Nearly all prime time viewing on both ABC services is now wide screen (aspect ratio of 16:9 instead of 4:3) and digital television lets you view programs in this format.
Additional services:
As well as receiving ABC TV and ABC2, you'll be able to get additional services from the ABC like dig radio and dig jazz. For viewers in some parts of Australia, additional digital-only commercial and community television channels are available.
*If your aerial is relatively new and in good condition it should be able to receive all the digital channels in your area. If you experience any problems receiving digital television, you may need to install a new aerial.
How to get ABC2
There are two ways to receive ABC2.
1. Free to air: You'll need either a digital set top box (STB) or a television with an inbuilt digital decoder (also known as an integrated digital television). The STB is a small box about half the size of a video recorder. It receives the digital signal and transmits it either through the aerial socket or through the coloured A/V leads on an existing television.
The cost of standard definition set top boxes start at less than $100. They can be purchased from most electrical retailers.
Once you've connected your STB, simply go to channel 22. If your receiver doesn't recognise "22" you may need to re-scan (ie re-tune) to pick up the new service.
Some set top boxes and TV sets allow higher quality picture and sound for which you'll need special connecting leads. Check with your retailer for details.
With the appropriate hardware components, you can also receive digital television on your computer. A number of TV tuner cards on the market, ranging in price and features, can be installed into computers with the appropriate specifications.
2. Subscription television: ABC2 is also available on Foxtel Digital, Austar Digital, Neighborhood Cable and TransACT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I receive ABC2 if I live in regional Australia?
A: Australia has been broadcasting free-to-air, digital TV services since 1 January 2001. At launch, it was only available in five capitals. Now over 96% of the Australian population can receive ABC free to air digital transmissions - in both regional and metropolitan areas.
Q: ABC2 is a national service - will it be shown in the right time zone throughout the country?
A: As a free-to-air service, ABC2 is available in the correct time zone for each state. Audiences watching via a subscription cable television service (Foxtel digital cable, TransACT and Neighborhood Cable) will also receive ABC2 in the correct time zone for their state.
However the high cost of satellite capacity prevents us from providing a version of ABC2 for each time zone for viewers of Foxtel satellite or Austar services. For those audiences, ABC2 is available only in Sydney time (ie Eastern Standard time in winter, and Eastern Daylight Time during daylight saving).
Q: There doesn't seem to be as much on-air promotion as the main ABC service. Why is that?
A: ABC2's tight budget prevents us from producing detailed promotions for all programs, although more general information about viewing times is being broadcast. Detailed information about each program, including a synopsis, is available on ABC2's online schedule, including links to program web sites as appropriate.
Q: Is there anything on ABC2 that I won't see on the main ABC TV channel?
A: Yes. ABC2 is a completely different channel to ABC1. You can watch dramas, comedies, documentaries and more that will not be seen on ABC1. For details of the ABC2 program guide, check the website at abc.net.au/tv/abc2/. You can also sign up for ABC TV's email newsletter which will give you highlights information for both ABC1 and ABC2. Signup at abc.net.au/tv/newsletter.
Q: Where can I find information about ABC2's programs?
A: ABC2 program information is available:
On screen
Information on what is on now and what is coming up next is available on your free-to-air television screen by using your remote control, usually by pressing the "I" or "info" button. Viewers in Sydney can also access channel 4 on digital free-to-air, which lists programs for the evening ahead on all free-to-air channels, including ABC2.
If you have subscription television, check your service's electronic program guide which offers up to a week's program information in advance.
Online
A comprehensive program guide for ABC2 is available via our website at abc.net.au/abc2. This gives information 3 weeks in advance and includes a print-friendly version. Weekly online guides are also available from www.yourtv.com.au au.tv.yahoo.com and tvguide.ninemsn.com.au
In print
A current monthly ABC2 schedule is available in the ABC's monthly magazine 'Limelight', available from newsagencies and ABC Shops ($6.95). ABC2 listings are now also available in The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Courier Mail, The Hobart Mercury, Border Mail (Albury Wodonga), Canberra Times, Barrier Miner (Broken Hill) and Sunday Mail (Adelaide). ABC2 is continually endeavouring to secure new print listings and will keep viewers updated via the website.
Sign up for our regular email update to find out what's happening on ABC2.
Q: Is ABC2 a 24-hour service?
A: Not yet! ABC2 programs are being broadcast from 6.20am to 2.00am from Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 2.00am on Sundays. However, scheduled programming may later increase beyond these times. In the non-program times, ABC2 screens a guide service with ABC TV and ABC2 program highlights, a weather map and the dig radio service complete with artist and song information.
Q: Why can't I get sound on ABC2 on my DGTEC set top box?
A: This is a fault with the DGTEC box that can be easily fixed. Make sure the box has its audio preferences set to "mpeg2" & not to "Auto". If they are on "auto" there will be no audio when watching ABC2 digital. This can be fixed by using the remote control to go to "menu" then "A/V Set-up" then "Audio Preferences" then "Mpeg 2 Audio". This will fix the problem.
Q: I am experiencing problems with the reception of ABC2
A: Call our Reception Advice Line on 1300 139 994 to check whether there are any difficulties with your local transmitter.
If this is not the cause, you may need to seek advice from an antenna installer or electrical retailer.
Q. Why have I lost access to ABC2 on my set top box?
A: On February 11 this year, we changed the numbering system for ABC channels on the free-to-air digital network to make it more logical. You will need to reset your set top box as follows (Note this does not affect viewers watching ABC via pay tv services):
| WAS | NOW | |
|---|---|---|
| ABC1 | 2 and 22 | 2 and 21 |
| ABC1(HD) | 20 | 20 |
| ABC2 | 21 | 22 |
For more information, check the digital reception page