The ABC will give all Australians, no matter where they are, access to this year’s Anzac Day commemorations, with extensive coverage across its radio, television, digital and social media platforms.
Following the closure of Returned & Services League venues and the cancellation of Anzac Day marches and international services due to COVID-19, the ABC has worked closely with the RSL, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial to ensure Australians can connect with the key national commemoration services as well as with some of their local RSL services.
The ABC’s Managing Director, David Anderson, said the ABC had always been the main focal point for Anzac Day coverage, but with Australians isolated in their homes due to the coronavirus, this year’s coverage had taken on particular significance.
“This year, the many thousands of Australians who would normally attend their national, state or local remembrance services, will not be able to do so.
On Anzac Day we invite all Australians to connect through the ABC – from their driveways, balconies, front gates and farm gates or from their loungerooms – or wherever they may be.”
In addition to the National Commemorative Service starting at 5.30am local time, the ABC will broadcast a two-minute, quiet reflection at 11.30am local time on its national and local radio services, on its main television channel, on the ABC NEWS channel, ABC iview and across social media.
The Governor-General, David Hurley’s Anzac Day address will be broadcast on the ABC main channel at 6.55 pm local time, on ABC Radio at 7.05pm local time (5.05pm WA) and on the ABC NEWS channel from 7.00am (AEST) and replayed across the day.
Local services from Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Townsville will be covered by their respective ABC capital city or regional radio station.
Anzac Day marches from 2019 will be available on ABC iview from Friday 24 April and the centenary commemorative services from Gallipoli (2015) and Villers Bretonneux (2018) will be rebroadcast from 12.30pm on 25 April on the ABC’s main channel.