Australian Broadcasting Corporation started broadcasting of ABC Asia Pacific across Asia Pacific region since the beginning of 2002. This enabled to watch an Australian based TV channel in Japan. They renamed to Australia Network on August 7, 2006.

Australia Network broadcasts Australian programmes such as news, drama, sport, education and documentary 24 hours a day. They are not only from ABC's s but also from Seven Network, Channel Nine, Network TEN. There's no Japanese subtitle or dubbing. The picture quality is as same as or near DVD. The audio is fine like that, it's in stereo(In case you receive PanAmSat8 C-band).
* PanAmSat(PAS) has changed its name to Intelsat(IS).

The followings are some examples of their lineup(it contains ended programs.) Visit Australia Network's web site for the latest program guide.

• All Saints
• Hornblower
• Here's Humphrey
• Big Sky
• Blue Heelers
• FireFlies
• Halifax f.p.
• Home and Away
• MDA
• Stingers
• Water Rats
• AFL Premiership Season(Australian Football League)
• Aerobics Oz Style
• Getaway
• The Food Channel Presents .... What's Cooking

There're several ways to watch. Australia Network broadcasts for Asia Pacific region by using 2 satellites - PanAmSat2 and PanAmSat8, and local distributors rebroadcast them by some methods.

Comparison

Method	Initial cost	Monthly cost	Quality	Other
1.Satellite PanAmSat2/8	Approx. 30000-100000yen	0yen	Very good
2.Internet 4th MEDIA	31,779yen*	3,045yen*	Unknown	*Campaigns available
3.Internet Donga	0yen	0yen	Not good
4.Satellite MURA CAM	18,900yen*	3,150yen	Unknown	*Rental 1,575yen/ month
5.Internet MegaBox	Approx. 39,800yen	2,445yen	Unknown

As of April, 2005. ISP fees, installation fees, etc. are excluded.

1. Satellite - PanAmSat2/PanAmSat8 C-band

This is the way to directly receive PanAmSat2 or PanAmSat8. You can receive most non-encrypted programs for free if you have compatible equipments without subscription. In this way you can also listen to Radio Australia.

You need a DVB-S tuner, a satellite dish with at least 90cm diameter^*, an LNBF for C-band, and so on. You can buy these items at some special shops or Internet auction. In Japan, the direction of both satellites is southeast. To view encrypted programs, you need a free Smart Card and a receiver compatible with it.
*This is a rough indication to receive PanAmSat8 in Honshu(main island of Japan). The required size of antenna varies by location, satellite, equipment quality, etc.

The television standard is PAL. You cannot watch on a normal Japanese NTSC TV set. You need a format converter, a tuner or a VCR with built-in converter, a PAL TV set, or a video capture card compatible with PAL, whichever.

PAL TV/Video, and format converters are available online at Masani, Rac, and Kobe Sacom.

Please visit the Satellite page for detailed information of reception or equipment. How to Watch and Reception Advise are available on Australia Network's web site, too. Please note that since they use C-band, it may not be able to receive if there's interference of terrestrial microwave.

2. Internet - 4th MEDIA (On-line TV)

4th MEDIA is NTT's broadband motion picture service using FLET'S.NET. You can watch via Flet's ADSL or B Flet's from partnered ISPs. It's available on Ch.635 from January 24, 2005(630yen/month, excludes basic fee and ISP fee.)

Partnered ISPs (As of March, 2005): Plala, hi-ho, @nifty, Biglobe

3. Internet - Donga

If you have a broadband connection, you can watch via Internet(As of April, 2005). It can be played with WindowsMediaPlayer9. The bandwidth is 310kbps.
http://mplay.donga.com/abcap.asx Currently Unavailable(As of May 2006)

4. Satellite - PanGlobal TV Japan  Formerly MURA CAM-TV

PanGlobal TV Japan rebroadcasts ABC Asia Pacific by Ku-band in Japan. You can receive with a 45-60cm dish. It's a paid service in NTSC. You don't need to obtain or install equipments yourself. But this company often discontinues or changes their service(as followings) so you had better beware.

5. Internet - MegaBox

• Each services may discontinue due to underperforming or some such issues. Please watch the channel at your own risk. This site cannot take any responsibility even any problem are caused.