ABC Announces 40% Content Surge: 60 Primetime Series Coming in 2026
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ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks revealed Wednesday the national broadcaster will deliver 60 primetime premium television series in 2026—a 40 percent jump from this year’s 43 productions—alongside expanded podcast offerings and “of the moment” news formats, declaring “it’s an exciting time to be at the ABC” eight months into his tenure leading the organization.
Speaking at the National Press Club Wednesday, the former Nine Entertainment chief executive outlined an ambitious content expansion strategy that positions the publicly-funded broadcaster as increasingly competitive with commercial networks and global streaming platforms struggling to serve Australian audiences.
“Next year, we’ll have a range of new content. We announce the slate tomorrow. It’s very exciting,” Marks told the assembled journalists, previewing what promises to be the ABC’s most significant programming announcement in years.
The Numbers Tell the Story
And look, let’s be clear about what we’re talking about here: 60 primetime premium series. That’s not just a modest bump—that’s going from 43 to 60 in a single year. A 40 percent increase. These are the kinds of numbers commercial networks used to dream about before they started canceling everything that didn’t rate above a million viewers.
“We’re going to have 60 primetime premium television series up from 43 in 2025,” Marks said. “A slate of new podcasts and on-demand audio to further complement our radio services. New and of the moment news formats that will contribute even further to this goal of shared knowledge and shared stories.”
The announcement comes as commercial broadcasters face ongoing pressure from global streaming giants while simultaneously cutting local production budgets. Seven, Nine, and Ten have all reduced drama commissioning in recent years, creating what industry observers describe as a market gap the ABC appears ready to fill.
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Audio Expansion Beyond Traditional Radio
The content expansion extends beyond television into audio, where the ABC already commands significant audience share through its metropolitan and regional radio networks.
Marks emphasized new podcast development and on-demand audio content “to further complement our radio services,” suggesting the broadcaster recognizes younger audiences increasingly consume audio content on-demand rather than through traditional linear radio.
The ABC currently operates 59 breakfast programs across the country—a figure Marks cited later in his address when discussing regional content creation—providing a foundation for potential podcast spin-offs and digital audio products.
“Of the Moment” News Formats
Perhaps most intriguingly, Marks teased “new and of the moment news formats” without providing specifics, though he framed these initiatives as contributing to “shared knowledge and shared stories.”
The phrase “of the moment” suggests real-time or highly responsive news products, potentially targeting younger audiences consuming news through social platforms rather than traditional bulletins.
Later in the address, Marks discussed the ABC’s success on platforms like TikTok, where content creator Claudia has built substantial followings through platform-specific storytelling techniques. This suggests at least some “of the moment” formats may prioritize social-first distribution.
Slate Announcement Timing
The decision to preview the announcement one day before the formal slate reveal represents strategic media management, generating anticipation while allowing Marks to frame the expansion within his broader vision for ABC’s role in Australian media.
“It’s an exciting time to be at the ABC,” Marks said. “We are increasing our content and the services that we provide for the benefit of Australians.”
The timing also positions the announcement ahead of federal budget discussions, potentially supporting internal arguments for sustained or increased funding—a topic Marks addressed extensively throughout his National Press Club appearance.
Confidence Despite Criticism
The expansion announcement came wrapped in Marks’ broader message about ABC confidence and ambition, directly countering what he characterized as unfair narratives about the broadcaster’s declining relevance.
“I’ve been in this role for eight months and I can tell you this home of Australian information, ideas and creativity is looking ahead with confidence and with ambition,” Marks said.
He explicitly rejected criticism suggesting the ABC has become less relevant in the modern media landscape: “Some are running a narrative decline and irrelevance. Let me tell you, they could not be more wrong.”
Market Context: Commercial Retreat
The ABC’s expansion occurs against commercial broadcasting retrenchment. Australian drama production across commercial networks has declined substantially since 2015, when local content quotas were relaxed and streaming platforms began dominating premium scripted entertainment.
Global streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have commissioned some Australian content but typically prioritize productions with international appeal over locally-focused storytelling. The ABC’s expanded slate potentially fills demand for distinctly Australian narratives unlikely to attract global platform investment.
Marks acknowledged this dynamic later in his address, noting “children’s documentary, adult drama, comedy, again, really difficult for many other parts of the sector now to cover those sorts of areas. The commercial model has changed and it’s become global. We can do it as a local player and it’s freely available.”
Programming Priorities Unclear
While confirming the 60-series figure, Marks provided no specifics about genre distribution, production budgets, or whether the expansion emphasizes volume over prestige.
Sixty primetime series could mean multiple lower-budget productions or a mix including expensive dramas alongside more economical formats. The ABC’s definition of “primetime premium” may encompass documentaries, factual entertainment, and unscripted formats alongside traditional drama and comedy.
Industry observers will scrutinize Thursday’s slate announcement for clues about whether the expansion represents genuine additional investment or strategic repackaging of existing commitments across multiple platforms.
Podcast Strategy Undefined
Similarly, Marks offered no details about podcast expansion beyond “a slate of new podcasts,” leaving unclear whether the ABC plans celebrity-driven shows, news analysis formats, narrative storytelling series, or niche interest programs.
The ABC already produces popular podcasts including “The Signal,” “Russia, If You’re Listening,” and various programs adapted from radio content. Expansion could mean original podcast commissions or systematic conversion of radio content to on-demand formats.
Digital-First News Formats
The “of the moment news formats” description suggests experimentation with platform-specific approaches rather than simply repurposing traditional bulletin content for digital distribution.
Marks’ emphasis throughout the address on meeting audiences where they consume content—across iview, YouTube, social platforms, and digital news sites—implies these new formats may prioritize mobile-first design and social distribution over traditional website or app presentation.
Funding Implications
The expansion announcement inevitably raises questions about cost and funding sources. The ABC operates under fixed government appropriations currently frozen in real terms, meaning increased content output must come from efficiency gains, internal reallocations, or external revenue generation.
Marks addressed funding extensively throughout his National Press Club appearance, making explicit arguments that “more will deliver more results” when questioned about the relationship between ABC investment and audience outcomes.
He also noted that upon starting the role eight months ago, “we did find some things when I started, and I’m sure there’ll be more as we go forward,” suggesting internal efficiencies have created some capacity for expansion without additional appropriations.
Staff and Union Response
The announcement arrives as ABC staff face ongoing uncertainty about job security following years of efficiency drives and restructures. While content expansion theoretically creates employment opportunities, production models increasingly rely on contract workers and external production companies rather than permanent staff.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance has consistently argued ABC funding cuts have undermined the broadcaster’s capacity to fulfill its charter obligations. The expansion announcement may complicate that narrative if achieved within current budget constraints, or support funding increase arguments if dependent on additional appropriations.
Political Landscape
Marks delivered the address weeks before federal budget deliberation begins, positioning the ABC’s ambitions within broader discussions about public broadcasting funding and the organization’s role in Australian media.
The Albanese Labor government has provided modest funding increases but not restored real-terms cuts implemented under previous Coalition governments. Marks’ emphasis on expansion and audience growth potentially supports arguments for sustained investment from a government broadly supportive of public broadcasting.
However, any funding increase faces political challenges in a constrained fiscal environment where numerous portfolio areas compete for additional resources.
What Happens Tomorrow
Thursday’s slate announcement will reveal whether the 60-series commitment represents transformational change or clever repackaging. Industry attention will focus on:
Genre distribution across drama, comedy, documentary, and factual entertainment
Production budget indicators and talent attachments
Balance between metropolitan and regional storytelling
Platform-specific commissions versus multi-platform content
International co-production partnerships
Diversity initiatives and emerging creative support
For Australian audiences, particularly those feeling underserved by commercial networks and global streamers focused on international markets, the promise of 60 premium series represents potentially significant expansion of locally-relevant storytelling.
Whether the ABC delivers on that promise—and whether audiences actually watch—will define Hugh Marks’ early tenure as Managing Director.
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