ABC TV Preps 2009 Lineup

SYDNEY, November 10:
Australia's ABC TV has a raft of new programming set to hit the air in 2009,
including John Safran's Race Relations,
Project NEXT and ten brand-new
episodes of The Chaser's War on
Everything.

The eight-part series John Safran's Race Relations will
feature the eponymous host on a new globetrotting adventure, continuing to push
the limits by delving into hot topics. Andrew Denton will produce the new ten-part series Project NEXT, which searches for the
next generation of Australian TV talent. And The Chaser's War on Everything returns for ten new episodes, which
will the satirical group as it stirs up new controversies.

Also set to air on the
network are Death, Drugs and Betrayal,
about acorrupt drug squad; Prison Sings,
which looks to build a choir from a group of female prisoners; Bombora, the story of Australia's
obsession with surfing; and the four-part The
Making of Modern Australia, with a look at post-war Australia.

Drama offerings include Three Acts of Murder, the true story of
an Australian crime writer who plots the perfect murder; Dirt Game, looking at big business and big money; and The Cut, featuring John Wood as a sports
agent. Also set to air is a new season of The
Librarians as well as Bed of Roses and
East of Everything.

New children's series are
also joiningABC TV's 2009 lineup. My
Place, based on the award-winning book, will bring Australian history to
life for kids, while dirtgirlworld invites
preschoolers to get their hands dirty. Figaro
Pho is an animated series about a boy who suffers from phobias.

ABC TV is also expanding
its online content, offering more interaction, new options and more convenience
for all age groups. Highlights include the creation of a series of portals for
easier access to ABC content, enhanced program websites and the launch of Office Wars, a game created and
developed by the audience of the Australian gaming show Good Game.

The network's Internet TV
service, ABC iView, also will include new features. The content will double,
with the CatchUp channel being further extended. New channels will be added
throughout the year that will provide programming for specific interest groups.
New features will be added to allow people to interact with friends while
viewing programs online, clip and send program segments and access program-related
information while viewing content.

ABC TV's director of
television, Kim Dalton, said: "As levels of international content continue
to increase on Australian screens, ABC TV is committed to providing the
Australian alternative—on all platforms. We have a great mix of
programming for '09 which will uncover a raft of new talent, whilst still
bringing to our screens some of Australia's most respected creative
talent."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski