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# ABC lifts scripted slate by 50% under Hugh Marks
- URL: https://www.promptthemarket.com/abc-2027-slate-scripted-50-per-cent-kids/
- Published: 2026-10-23T01:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:59:59.000Z
- Description: Mumbrella said commercial TV spend on Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20; the broadcaster will double premium children's titles and add Fortitude Valley, Rural Crime Unit and The Great White.
- Author: Editor News
- Tags: Media, Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, #author-james-dore

![James Dore](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/01/e4017178-c1da-4131-80aa-35f02cb5b999/content/images/2026/09/james-dore.jpg)

By **James Dore** · 2026-10-22

TLDR

The ABC says it will grow its scripted slate by 50% and double its premium children's titles over three years. Mumbrella reports commercial TV spending on Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01The ABC will lift its scripted slate by 50%, announced at its 2027 showcase on 21 October.

02It plans to double premium children's titles over the next three years.

03New dramas include Fortitude Valley, Rural Crime Unit, The Great White and John Bailey – The Enemy Within.

04Commercial TV spending on Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20, Mumbrella reported.

05A Bluey feature film will air on the ABC after its 2027 cinema release.

## What the ABC announced

At its 2027 showcase in Sydney on 21 October, the ABC said it will lift its scripted slate by 50% and double the volume of premium children's titles over the next three years. It was the first slate developed entirely under managing director Hugh Marks.[\[1\]](https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-doubles-down-on-australian-drama-and-kids-tv-in-2027-showcase-941888?ref=promptthemarket.com) "Without doubt the ABC is the undisputed leader in sharing Australia's stories with Australians," Marks said.[\[2\]](https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/publicity-media-room/abc-announces-2027-content-slate/107291712?ref=promptthemarket.com)

New dramas include *Fortitude Valley*, a cold-case series with Hunter Page-Lochard, Kat Stewart and Rupert Everett; *Rural Crime Unit*, with Rebecca Gibney and Morgana O'Reilly; *The Great White*, with Hugo Weaving as a disgraced barrister; and *John Bailey – The Enemy Within*, adapted from Tim Ayliffe's novel. *Fisk* returns for a fourth season.[\[1\]](https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-doubles-down-on-australian-drama-and-kids-tv-in-2027-showcase-941888?ref=promptthemarket.com) ABC director of screen Jennifer Collins said the slate "is built around unmissable Australian stories with integrity, originality and authenticity".[\[3\]](https://www.mediaweek.com.au/abc-upfronts-2027-aunty-the-abc-s-2027-slate-has-a-type-and-it-carries-a-notebook?ref=promptthemarket.com)

## Children's television

Emma Watkins, who announced the children's slate, said the ABC "will double the volume of premium children's titles it delivers to Australian children" and that "the ABC is the only consistent commissioner of children's content in this country." New titles include *Little Lunch: New Class* and *Emma's Dance Club*, and a *Bluey* feature film will air on the ABC after its 2027 cinema release.[\[1\]](https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-doubles-down-on-australian-drama-and-kids-tv-in-2027-showcase-941888?ref=promptthemarket.com)

## Why it matters for producers

Mumbrella set the announcement against falling commercial investment: commercial TV spending on Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20, spending on children's and streaming drama fell 41% in 2024-25, and four of the five Australian children's TV and streaming drama titles that entered production in 2024-25 were ABC commissions.[\[1\]](https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-doubles-down-on-australian-drama-and-kids-tv-in-2027-showcase-941888?ref=promptthemarket.com) For independent producers, a 50% bigger ABC scripted slate is one of the few growing sources of local drama commissions.

News documentaries in the slate include *Alliance*, on seven decades of the Australia–US relationship, and *The Rise and Fall of Alan Jones*.[\[2\]](https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/publicity-media-room/abc-announces-2027-content-slate/107291712?ref=promptthemarket.com) Mediaweek's Natasha Lee said the slate leans heavily on journalists and crime drama.[\[3\]](https://www.mediaweek.com.au/abc-upfronts-2027-aunty-the-abc-s-2027-slate-has-a-type-and-it-carries-a-notebook?ref=promptthemarket.com) *You Can't Ask That* returns after four years off air, and *rage* turns 40.[\[4\]](https://www.bandt.com.au/abc-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-slate-of-new-docos-podcasts-films-for-2027/?ref=promptthemarket.com)

Related coverage

- [ABC cuts 46 screen production roles despite $83m boost](https://www.promptthemarket.com/abc-cuts-46-screen-production-roles-despite-83m-boost/)
- [Alan Kohler's 'And that's finance' ends after 31 years at the ABC](https://www.promptthemarket.com/alan-kohlers-and-thats-finance-ends-after-31-years-at-the-abc/)
- [ABC paid Grace Tame $9,200 to host four-part podcast](https://www.promptthemarket.com/abc-paid-grace-tame-9-200-to-host-four-part-podcast/)
- [ABC's new news chief won't promise an end to job cuts](https://www.promptthemarket.com/abc-news-chief-won-t-rule-out-more-job-cuts-despite-83m-boost/)

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Mumbrella, ABC doubles down on Australian drama and kids TV in 2027 showcase, 22 October 2026](https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-doubles-down-on-australian-drama-and-kids-tv-in-2027-showcase-941888?ref=promptthemarket.com)
2. [ABC, ABC announces 2027 content slate, 21 October 2026](https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/publicity-media-room/abc-announces-2027-content-slate/107291712?ref=promptthemarket.com)
3. [Mediaweek, The ABC's 2027 slate has a type, and it carries a notebook, 21 October 2026](https://www.mediaweek.com.au/abc-upfronts-2027-aunty-the-abc-s-2027-slate-has-a-type-and-it-carries-a-notebook?ref=promptthemarket.com)
4. [B&T, ABC reveals slate of new docos, podcasts and films for 2027, 22 October 2026](https://www.bandt.com.au/abc-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-slate-of-new-docos-podcasts-films-for-2027/?ref=promptthemarket.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What did the ABC announce for 2027?

A 50% increase in its scripted slate and a plan to double premium children's titles over three years, at its 2027 showcase on 21 October 2026.

Which new ABC dramas are coming in 2027?

Fortitude Valley, Rural Crime Unit, The Great White and John Bailey – The Enemy Within, with Fisk returning for a fourth season.

How has commercial TV drama spending changed?

Mumbrella reported commercial TV investment in Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20, and children's and streaming drama spending fell 41% in 2024-25.

Will the Bluey movie be on the ABC?

Yes. The Bluey feature film will air on the ABC after its 2027 cinema release.

![James Dore](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/01/e4017178-c1da-4131-80aa-35f02cb5b999/content/images/2026/09/james-dore.jpg)

[James Dore](https://www.promptthemarket.com/james-dore/)

James Dore is founder and editor of Prompt the Market and Strategy Director at Bushnote, a Sydney strategy, SEO and AI search agency. He has a background in strategy, media and financial services, and led consumer product marketing at MONEYME. He writes on AI search, answer engines, technology policy and media economics.