ABC puts the Queen in the right position

The ABC was always to show the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London live and with own staff commenting the event from the UK. But that was the ABC in the USA. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had intended to screen the 1975 movie Shampoo starring Warren Beatty instead of covering one of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee main events live.

Thanks to the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM's) national convenor David Flint activities the ABC changed heart and dumped the film. Last Sunday ACM launched an online petition asking viewers "to show the ABC that they should perform the role and function for which they are funded by the taxpayers of Australia".

On Tuesday David Flint could triumph in his send out:

"ABC has buckled to monarchist pressure and will now screen Live coverage of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on Sunday night in the Eastern States on ABC1 with Live coverage across Australia on ABC News 24."

The ABC's schedule:
On Sunday night (June 3) we will have the River Pageant on ABC1 from 11.30pm to 3.00 am – live coverage in the Eastern States- live/delayed in other states.

On ABC News 24 it will run live from 11.30pm to 3am. on Monday night 4th June 4 on ABC1 we will have the Highlights package from 6-7pm as already announced. (The rights to the concert are not available - see Channel 9 below)

On Tuesday night 5th June we will have coverage of arrivals at St Paul's Cathedral on ABC1 from 6-7pm – Live in Eastern states, delayed in other states.

On ABC1 from 22.30pm to 00.45am the coverage will include the carriage procession, gun salute, the palace balcony appearance etc. Live in Eastern States, delayed in other states.

On ABC News 24 the live coverage will run from 7pm including the Thanksgiving Service, through to 00.45am.

On Wednesday night (June 6) – ABC1 will have the highlights package from 6-7pm as already announced.

On Thursday night 7th June 7 – ABC1 will have a repeat of The Diamond Queen Ep 1 at 6:00pmOn Friday night 8th June 8 – ABC1 will have a repeat of The Diamond Queen Ep 2 at 6:00pm

On Saturday night 9th June 9 – ABC1 will have a repeat of The Diamond Queen Ep 3 at 5:30pm


The BBC and UKTV (available on Foxtel, Optusvision and Austar) are presenting large amounts of coverage direct from London of the Jubilee events.

Some specific highlights on UKTV are:

Sunday 3rd of June - 11:15pm - 3:15am - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant (repeated Monday evening at 8:00pm)

Tuesday 5th of June - 6:15pm -9:45pm - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Royal Procession

Tuesday 5th of June - 11:00pm -1:00am - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving

Wednesday 6th of June - 7:30pm - 10:55pm - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert

Much of this will also be shown on the BBC World News service on Foxtel, Optusvision and Austar and the BBC on ABC News24.

As in the past the ABC has shown a complete and dare I say, in the opinion of yours truly, an arrogant disinterest in Royal events. But to give them credit: They are willing to correct some of their mistakes. And setting things right after committing an error is commendable.

Channel 9

Tuesday 5th June at 20.00 Diamond Jubilee Concert from Buckingham Palace celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee which marks 60 years of the Queen's reign. Acts include Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, JL, Stevie Wonder, Madness, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney and Annie Lennox.