Triple J is working on “a massive expansion of its brand” to tv. The ABC’s planned cross platform jtv brand is due for roll out in the middle of this year.

The new initiative was revealed at the Australian International Documentary Conference in Melbourne this week when ABC TV and the Australian Film Commission announced an competition for young documentary makers that would be aired on the new channel.

jtv will be a “multiplatform, multilayered brand which will exist on the ABC main channel, ABC 2, online and on other emerging technologies.” It will be made up of a weekly jtv series on the main ABC channel on Saturday night, taking viewers inside the belly of the beast that is triple j. As well there will be a weekly jtv omnibus on ABC 2 and extensive jtv material available with online components.

The recently launched jtv live programming initiative will also be part of the jtv package. It is a performance strand featuring “the latest and hottest Australian musical talent doing one-hour sets for television, recorded with a live audience.”

Along with these programs comes the documentary competition called ‘jtv docs,’ a series of films “that will push the boundaries of visual program making.” The ABC and AFC are committing a total of $300,000 to this initiative: up to $150,000 for a one-hour documentary and up to $75,000 for a half-hour documentary. It is anticipated that the ABC and AFC contributions to each film will be augmented by funding from third parties.

Taking a cue from triple j’s mantra, ‘enemy of average,’ the station is looking for fresh work with a new perspective on the world, that will explore music, ideas, culture
and contemporary issues through the eyes of generations X, Y and Z. jtv docs is for emerging filmmakers who are 35 years and under.

Triple J is still working on details and logistics for the cross platform initiative, which are expected to be revealed in the next few months.

Details of the documentary competition are at the link below.