ABC International sees audience growth across all platforms in 2023 – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s International Services division has delivered strong audience growth across its television, radio and digital services in 2023 as the public broadcaster accelerates investments in Indo-Pacific content, transmission and media development activities.
In the latest audience figures compiled for the ABC’s 2023 Annual Report, the ABC’s international television network ABC Australia increased its monthly viewers by 8% year-over-year (YOY) from 3.62 million to 3.91 million and ABC Radio Australia also increased its YOY monthly listeners by 12% from 287,300 to 321,225.
ABC Pacific, a digital offering for Pacific audiences launched in 2022, also witnessed significant audience growth. ABC Pacific Facebook reached a weekly average of 1.3 million users over the past 12 months and its followers have increased by 9% YOY in the latest data, currently sitting at 405,000.
The results come as ABC International Services rapidly scales up production of content relevant to international audiences under new dedicated funding from the Federal Government announced in the October 2022 and May 2023 Budgets.
Recent initiatives include a new weekly news television program The Pacific, special international editions of popular ABCTV programs Gardening Australia, Landline and Back Roads and the tripling of Pacific-focused sport, music and cultural programming on ABC Radio Australia.
ABC Radio Australia will also be expanding its FM transmission footprint with plans to cover all Pacific Island Forum nations within the next two years while ABC Australia will begin transmission of separate Asia and Pacific streams later this year to better serve regional audiences across diverse time zones.
Managing Director David Anderson said:
“As one of the region’s longest-serving and most trusted broadcasters, the ABC is investing additional funding from the Federal Government to engage audiences across the Indo-Pacific in a meaningful way, which is resulting in the strong audience growth we are witnessing across all platforms. It’s a fantastic achievement for the ABC at a time when Australian and international audiences have more options available than ever before.”
ABC International Services Head Claire M. Gorman said:
“This latest data is evidence that our international investments are starting to deliver concrete results. As the Government’s partner in fulfilling the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, the ABC is uniquely placed to deliver excellent outcomes for international audiences who are increasingly coming to the ABC for trusted, informative and inspiring content.”
Media Release – ABC
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