Australia Wide / Episode 1

Australia Wide was a rural-focused half-hour soft news programme produced by the ABC in Sydney. The programme was, up until mid-2007, produced by the Corporation's New Media and Digital Services division in Brisbane. It was shown weekdays on the digital-only channel ABC2 at 4.00pm, 7.00pm, and 7.30am, and can also be viewed at ABC Online. The program follows a daily theme covering a range of topics and issues. Earth Works, shown on Mondays, focusses on the 'real world' and environment, Gen Next, shown on Tuesdays concentrates on the interests and issues of young people, especially those in rural areas. On Wednesdays the five winners of the 2005 "Video Lives" competition present video diaries of their lives and communities, while on Thursdays Arts About showcases the artistic talents and endeavours of Australians living in rural and regional areas. Outta Here on Fridays follows sport and recreational activities. Content for the program comes from a number of sources, including reports from state and territory ABC News bulletins, reports from programs on the Australia Network, and ABC Local Radio presenters. Over summer, Australia Wide Summertime screens 10 minutes of news and weather and replaces the second section with short documentaries from a variety of sources, shown only on ABC2.