ABC Broadcast Network

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ABC Broadcast Network

History of the Network

The company was founded on 1 July 1932. The Australian Government, through the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act, nationalized the company (ABC 1). The commission was announced during the official inauguration on 1 July at 8pm and it was heard all across Australia. 12 stations broadcasting live sport, music and programs on information were the initial items presented on each day. This grew to 26 stations by mid 1939. Up until cable was laid all across Bass Strait, speech was the only mode of communication between Sydney and Perth. This was because; landline could not carry music suitably into the mainland and Tasmania.

The first ABC journalist was appointed in 1934. Even so, news bulletins were either read from newspapers or just written. Frank Dixon was appointed as a news editor in 1936 and championed for the company’s independence. Radio news was able to provide information immediacy that print sources like newspapers could not provide like the death of the Prime Minister. Robert Menzis, the Prime Minister in 1956 was invited to launch the ABC Television by Michael Charlton (ABC 1). On the same day, James Dibble was able to present the inaugural news bulletin of ABC Television. Subsequently, there was the introduction of children’s programs on the television.

New concepts of the news treatment were introduced in the 1960s through Four Corners. The company’s first 24-hour rock station known as Double J was introduced and evolved into triple J, gave rise to more informal presentation favoring the informal young entertainers. They typified this by playing music that had been banned in other stations (ABC 1). ABC online went live on the internet in the year 1995 with a website dedicated to the company. Through emerging technologies of the internet like vodcasting, pod casting, streaming and video on demand, several audiences could be reached and this proved that the company was a leader in electronic media in the country.

The first Australian digital radio station was launched by ABC in the year 2002. This continued to grow through the mainland cities of capitals, metropolitan radio services of local areas, four national networks together with digital services. A digital television channel that was free-to-air was launched by the company in the year 2005 (ABC 1). This was launched through ABC1 and ABC3. Consequently, a 24-hour channel was launched in the country through ABC News 24 platform. 2008 saw the company launch free internet television service that allowed the audience to catch on programs of ABC at their own choice of time and convenience.

New technology Initiatives

One of the major new technology initiatives by the company was the adoption of agile software development. This emphasizes the collaboration between technology teams and businesses, to enhance quick address of business needs. Cloud-based architectures handle complex operations. The company’s technology team uses Prometheus software to collect and manage all assets and data and presents them as feeds. This enables the viewer or client of particular information to have personalized access to the targets in real time. An accurate timing and description of content is available as the technology gathers data from various sources such as automation, broadcast systems, satellite network and human interfaces that have been customized.

The company is also set to unveil an access of 24-hour live feed that includes all its programs across the network. The target markets include Philadelphia and New York (Digital Approach 1). The mobile users in these regions utilize an operating system developed Apple company. The mobile users have subscribed to ABC through cable and access the full catalogue services of the company. This will assist in setting the trend of switching customers from television to mobile phone or desktop while still maintaining a traditional model of subscription. It is a significant shift away from television. It will enable the company maximize the high number of customers.

Video platforms at the company have also set out to utilize adaptive bit-rate streaming together with technologies based on clouding (Broadcasting and Cable 1). This will enable the company centralize all its processes of manipulating signals. Once the broadcasting signal is handled, a cloud processing solution is prepared, secured and delivered to the local markets. This will be through a cost-effective means. Contents for delivery are prepared in different operating systems and devices. Available bandwidth for the users will then be considered after the signal manipulation depending on the demographic devices and characteristics. This will be rolled out on smart phones and tablets for a wider customer attraction.

ABC has also come up with ABC iView that is a free internet service of broadcasting which offers full-screen video-on-demand (Walter 1). Customers are able to catch up with the best television viewing from the comfort of their computers, internet-connected televisions and play stations. They are also offered the option of downloading the contents. It also facilitates viewing of programs after their scheduled broadcast time has elapsed. Several programs are added on a daily basis while the previous programs are available on a two-week basis. The technology is suited for broadband connection that is of high-speed.

Works Cited:

“Goodbye TV? ABC & BT Sport Both Launch Major Online Initiatives.” < http://www.simplyzesty.com/Blog/Article/May-2013/Goodbye-TV-ABC-BT-Sport-Both-Launch-Major-Online-Initiatives>

Walter Fischer. Digital Video and Audio Broadcasting Technology: A Practical Engineering Guide. Berlin: Springer, 2008. Web. 13 June. 2014.

“About the ABC.” Web. 13 June. 2014. < http://about.abc.net.au/who-we-are/abc-history/>

“The Business of Television: Broadcasting and Cable.” Web. 13 June. 2014. <http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/abc-owned-stations-launch-new-websites/131189%20http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/rival-nets-watch-abc-steals-show-new-streaming-app/44051>

“Disney/ABC Breaks Ground with Digital App Approach.” 28 October. 2013. Web. 13 June. 2014.  <http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/disneyabc-breaks-ground-digital-app-approach/123933>