ABC1
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see ABC1 (disambiguation).
Template:Infobox TV channel ABC1 is a television channel from Disney which initially launched exclusively on the British Digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on September 27, 2004. On December 10 2004 it was launched on Telewest's digital cable service, and soon afterwards on the NTL digital cable service.
The schedule consists of American drama, comedy and soap. These are mainly from the ABC network, such as Sports Night. The channel also shows two programmes from sports network ESPN which is also Disney-owned. It also broadcasts Ellen, the 90s sitcom by comedian Ellen Degeneres. A few of its programmes such as 8 Simple Rules and Home Improvement were also seen in the UK on Disney Channel, but were later moved over completely to ABC, when ABC1 was aired on Sky Digital, to coincide with the full cartoon evenings.
On February 28 and March 1, 2005, the network shook up its schedule by introducing two major new comedies, Hope and Faith and Less Than Perfect to sandwich around the big ratings success of 8 Simple Rules. On May 31 the channel indroduced Rodney to its schedule at 4pm weekdays and from the 4th July ABC1 began to air Scrubs, which is also seen on other UK channels.
On August 30, 2005, ABC1 was launched on the Sky Digital satellite platform. The channel is encrypted as part of the basic Sky package, and is therefore not free-to-air, in contrast to its unencrypted status on Freeview and Cable television.
For the first year after launching ABC1 broadcast from 6am to 6pm only. Commencing 26 September 2005, the channel has broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky Digital and NTL services. However, the channel did not go 24-hours on the Telewest digital cable service until 21 October 2005, and remains a 12 hour service (6am - 6pm) on Freeview. In October 2005, ABC1 was carried on the NTL Ireland digital TV platform.
ABC1 added US drama Kevin Hill to its schedule on 26 September. The channel aired Less Than Perfect Season 2 and Sports Night, and 8 Simple Rules Season 3 in early 2006.
ABC1 has plans to introduce a block of programming from Playhouse Disney, possibly including Higglytown Heroes. ABC1 also airs Commander In Chief, and other new shows that are due to be shown on ABC1 are The Guardian and Ghost Whisperer, the latter to be shown in 2007 after premiering on E4.
Commercial placement
Unlike most UK broadcasters, for its first six months ABC1 did not carry any commercials. However, it did have full-length ad-style breaks featuring trailers for its own shows and those of the Disney Channel
On ABC1, the advertising slots are placed in the American style of being close to the beginnings and ends of programmes, unlike the European fashion of between programmes and in the middle. However those slots are shorter.
Disclaimer
ABC1 is not associated with the former ITV company for the Midlands and the North, ABC.