ABC Digital Network Division
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital media, Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | ABC Innovation |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Angela Clark (head until 2016), Helen Clifton (Chief Digital and Information Officer from 2017) |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
ABC Digital Network Division, previously known as ABC Innovation, functioned as a segment of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Established in early 2007, ABC Innovation was responsible for creating digital products and services throughout the ABC, absorbing numerous responsibilities from the New Media and Digital Services department, including oversight of ABC Online.
In 2015, the ABC Digital Network Division succeeded ABC Innovation to emphasize digital and mobile platform development. By 2017, this division was consolidated under the Chief Technology Officer's leadership, leading to the discontinuation of the division's original name.
History
The ABC's initial Multimedia Unit was created in 1995 to oversee its website operations. Its funding initially came from television and radio budgets before receiving dedicated financial support. The corporation began streaming live election coverage online in 1996 and started providing limited news content via the internet in 1997.
Renamed in 2000 as ABC New Media and Digital Services, this unit became an "output division" alongside television and radio. It expanded its scope to include management of digital TV channels such as Fly TV and ABC Kids, and launched broadband news offerings in 2001.
ABC Innovation was officially introduced in February 2007. That year, it debuted "ABC Island" within the virtual environment Second Life, which featured a live simulcast of a Four Corners episode titled "You Only Live Twice." This initiative earned a Content+Technology Award in July 2007.
In September 2007, ABC Innovation created a mobile off-deck portal for coverage of the 2007 Australian election, making election content accessible on mobile devices. Later that year, in December, it launched ABC NOW, a desktop application combining ABC television, radio, and news RSS feeds.
Angela Clark took on the role of head of ABC Innovation in March 2012. During Mark Scott’s tenure as Managing Director in 2015, ABC Innovation evolved into the ABC Digital Network Division with a sharpened focus on expanding digital presence. Clark remained at the helm until mid-2016. By 2017, the Digital Network was integrated into the Technology division under the Chief Technology Officer’s direction.
Helen Clifton was appointed Chief Digital and Information Officer in May 2017, a position she held through at least June 2020.