Freeview news

August is a blockbuster month on Freeview!

29 July 2010

August is going to be a fantastic month of television right across Freeview’s 16 channels, with an unmatched range of free top-quality live, exclusive and first-run programs coming up that have something fresh and exciting for everyone.

With the Federal Election set for August 21, there’s no better place to keep up-to-date with political news, commentary and analysis than on Freeview’s new dedicated news channel, ABC News 24.

ABC News 24 will broadcast Afternoon Live at 3.00pm every weekday, a new must-watch program for news junkies. Anchored by Ali Moore, Afternoon Live will feature discussion on current affairs issues, news updates and breaking news through the afternoon, as well as regular
crosses to ABC News 24’s Political Editor, Chris Uhlmann for the latest from Canberra.

Politics might dominate the news in August but there’s still a great range of other quality programming across every genre on Freeview that will allow viewers to escape into pure TV entertainment.

GO! will screen movies from Thursday to Sunday throughout August, with great titles including Gothika, Mr & Mrs Smith, Layer Cake and Brokeback Mountain.

It’s a top month for drama on Freeview too. On Seven, viewers will be treated to the debut of the new series Parenthood. Produced by Academy Award winner Ron Howard, Parenthood focuses on the everyday challenges that modern families face while raising children and starting
over.

On 7TWO, Murphy’s Law will give crime lovers a wealth of enjoyment. James Nesbitt plays Detective Tommy Murphy, a maverick Irish cop with nothing left to lose after the murder of his daughter by the IRA, who flees to London and takes on the city’s crime world. He might be down on his luck but he still has more than a smattering of Irish charm and rakish wit.

Ten will premiere its new Australian drama series, offspring, on August 15. Viewers will be enthralled by 30-something Nina Proudman and her fabulously messy family as they navigate the chaos of modern life. Produced by Southern Star John Edwards, Offspring boasts a stellar
Australian cast including; Asher Keddie, Kat Stewart, Don Hany, Deborah Mailman, Eddie Perfect, Linda Cropper, Richard Davies and John Waters.

In the light entertainment genre, a brand new game show, Letters and Numbers comes to SBS ONE from Monday August 2. Hosted by Richard Morecroft, this quiz show pits two
contestants against each other to test their word ingenuity and numerical ability.

Who could forget the amazing scenes as yachtswoman Jessica Watson sailed triumphantly into Sydney Harbour on May 15 at the end of her epic voyage? On ONE on August 16, Australians
can follow Jessica’s incredible journey on the waters of the world with the documentary Jessica Watson – True Spirit. Hosted by Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson, the program features extraordinary footage of Jessica’s successful bid to become the youngest ever person to sail
solo and unassisted around the world.

On ABC1 in August, comedy takes on a political flavour with the new series Yes We Canberra! Created by The Chaser team, this exclusive first-run series pokes irreverent fun at
every aspect of the looming Federal Election with the kind of sharply satirical wit The Chaser fans have come to love.
Freeview has a treat for the kids in August too. In a new, third season, Total Drama returns with new rules and this time it’s international. Total Drama World Tour screens weekdays on ABC3, with host Chris McLean and Chef flying competitors all over the world in a huge decrepit plane to compete for a million dollars.

There’s great sports viewing on SBS TWO in August with SBS’s live and exclusive flagship football program, The World Game. Featuring Les Murray, Craig Foster and Marian Rudan, the new panel-style format reviews all the results and action from the previous weekend’s football
action.

On Nine, popular reality series The Farmer Wants a Wife returns with a heart-warming citymeets-country journey for six lonely farmers on the road to romance as they choose between hundreds of prospective partners. Prepare for tears, jealousy and joy in this fun-filled show.

(A full table of program highlights across all the Freeview channels is listed at the end of this
release).

Freeview CEO Robin Parkes said: “August will be an absolutely terrific month on Freeview, with the most compelling range of programs across every genre to suit all tastes, and all for free. It’s the way TV should be.”
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