Deirdre Brennan
ABC Kids Programmer
ABC TV

How many hours or slots do you program per year?
ABC Kids represents all the children’s programming blocks on Australia’s national broadcaster ABC TV - up to 37.5 hours per week, even more during holiday periods. The ABC Kids schedule targets three key demographics 0-4 year olds, 5-9 year olds and 8-12 year olds. In 2003/2004, 1882 hours of children’s television were broadcast, over 2000 hours planned for 2004/2005.

What percentage or number of hours are commissioned vs. acquired? (Ie. 60% commissions/ 40% acquisitions)
25-30% Australian content per week (co-produced or internal productions). Currently acquiring an average of 400-450 hours per year.

What is the average amount for acquisitions and/or license fee?
Acquisition licence fees vary depending on production quality, target audience and holdback negotiations.

What are you looking for right now?
In February 2005, we are launching a new hosted block weekdays 5.00-6.00pm called Roller Coaster targeting the 7-14 demographic. The schedule has been designed to offer a variety of animation, live action comedy, drama and music-based series. Programming within that hour will no longer be stripped, providing us greater flexibility in terms of series durations and episodes. Roller Coaster will remain an acquisition priority for the year ahead. We also have an ongoing requirement for non-violent, entertaining animation for the 5-8 year audience. With our existing program commitments and current inventory, we are not looking for any major new preschool programs at this time, however animated series between 5-10 minutes would be considered.

How do you prefer to be pitched?
Email (brennan.deirdre@abc.net.au) with concise details relating to the program/concept, target audience and availability. Send additional material by mail for further consideration.

What is your biggest pitch turnoff?
Being presented concepts that obviously do not meet the objectives of public broadcasters. Pitches that focus on merchandising potential rather than program content.

What is your market circuit?
MIPCOM Jnr, MIPCOM, Kidscreen Summit