BB FANS

New 24 Hour News Channel In Australia

Australia's ABC will go head-to-head with Sky News with the launch in the country of a 24-hour news channel this year.

The channel will offer free-to-air audiences continuous coverage of breaking and live news.

The launch date will be announced in coming months, the ABC said in a statement today.

ABC managing director Mark Scott said the broadcaster had been systematically preparing for the move for years.

"No media organisation in the country is better equipped to deliver this channel than the national broadcaster," Mr Scott said in a statement.

The ABC statement said the channel would start with "no additional funds from the government for content".

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