Behind the News
Behind the News (frequently abbreviated as BtN) is a long-running news program broadcast on Australia's ABC TV made in Adelaide and aimed at school-aged children (8–13 years of age). BtN is aimed at upper primary and lower secondary students to help them understand issues and events outside their own lives.
Behind the News | |
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Also known as | BtN |
Genre | |
Presented by |
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Country of origin | Australia |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 50 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Robert Clark (c. 2005–2014) |
Production locations | Adelaide, South Australia |
Camera setup | Digital Betacam |
Running time | 26 minutes |
Release | |
Original network | ABC TV (1968–2014) ABC Me (2014–present) |
Original release | Current Affairs: 5 June 1968 Behind the News: 1969 – 9 December 2003 15 February 2005 – present | – 1969
Behind the News explores news using the current language, music and popular culture of youths. The programme explains the basic concepts that underpin the issues and events, while also providing background information. Behind the News also covers children's issues often overlooked by mainstream news, and makes use of online resources including streaming video of BtN stories, study materials for teachers and additional information and activities for students.
History
On 5 June 1968, Behind the News aired its first episode. Originally known as Current Affairs, the name was changed to its current name within a year. The discovery of the first episode happened during the 45th anniversary (at the time, the show claimed to have started in 1969).[1]
The ABC chose to axe Behind the News at the end of 2003 in an argument with the Government over funding, but it returned to air in 2005.[2][3] While BtN was the first and original program of this nature, a similar program on Network Ten, ttn (the total news), debuted in the year BtN did not air. ttn itself was axed at the end of 2008.
In June 2014, BtN celebrated its 45th birthday, producing a short spliced clip of several decades' worth of presenters and theme songs.[4][5] On 21 July 2014, BtN moved to digital channel ABC3 as part of the ABC's educational programming move.[6]
On 2 May 2016, BtN relaunched with new graphics and a new look, also switching from using greenscreen to using the same set used on ABC3 News. The new graphics and look were teased on 1 May 2016 with the launch of BtN Newsbreak, a rebrand of ABC3 News.
According to the last episode of BtN Newsbreak for 2021, it was announced that the show would have a new look which was launched the next year.
In 2023, BtN officially announced BtN High, a version of BtN for highschool students, with the first episodes airing in July.[7]
BtN Newsbreak
BtN Newsbreak (previously known as ABC3 News and News On 3) is a program broadcast on ABC Me since launch, and in its current form, May 2016. They are produced by and feature the same team as Behind the News. As with the main version of BtN, Newsbreak will also go under a large revamp.
Presenters and reporters
Behind the News and BtN Newsbreak are presented by Amelia Moseley. BtN is produced by Sarah Larsen.
The current reporting team at Behind the News and Newsbreak includes: Jack Evans, Matthew Holbrook, Leela Varghese, Nathaniel Kelly, Cale Matthews, Charlotte Batty, Natasha Thiele, Amal Wehbe, Alexander Aarao-Ward, Michelle Wakim, Joseph Baronio, Olivia Mason, Nicholas Maher, Josh Langman, Justina Ward, Lyeba Khan, and Thomas Midena.
Former reporters include Ruby Cornish, Carl Smith, Erin Scott, Ben Nielsen, Evelyn Manfield, Martin Dougan and Emma Davis.
External links
Notes
- "Episode 1". Current Affairs. Season 1. Episode 1. 5 June 1968. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- O'Regan, Mick (8 January 2004). "Media Literacy and Behind The News". Media Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Radio National.
- "BTN Returns to ABC TV in 2005" (Press release). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2004. Archived from the original on 4 June 2006.
- Behind the News, 45 Years 1969-2014. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- Bazley, Nathan (3 June 2014). "Behind the News Celebrates 45 Years on Air". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Tumblr. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- Knox, David (10 June 2014). "ABC Educational programming moving to ABC3". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "After 55 years delivering the news to primary school kids, BTN is launching something new". ABC News. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.