AC/DC To Be Subjects Of Two-Part ABC Documentary Series

The television arm of national broadcaster ABC has unveiled an epic line-up of innovative new local content set to hit screens in 2015, including a two-part documentary focusing on Oz-rock legends AC/DC and the creation of their seminal 1980 full-length Back In Black.

The doco, which is titled Blood And Thunder, is only one facet of the many exciting prospects ahead for ABC, which includes the expansion of the station's iview service to streamline and facilitate users' ability to buy and download current and classic ABC series with minimal complexity — a very deliberate stepping up of its game as far as matching less scrupulous alternatives goes.

"2015 is about cementing ABC TV as the home of Australian stories and national conversations; that's what will set us apart," the broadcaster's director of television, Richard Finlayson, said in a statement. "The digital media revolution will step up a gear in 2015, but ABC TV's commitment to entertain, inform and educate our audiences is a constant. Now, equally important is understanding the user experience on new devices and growing opportunities for audiences to watch our shows where and when they want."

In addition to the doco and exciting new times for iview, ABC is pulling out all the stops in securing some of the nation's finest locally produced content, from Shaun Micallef's The Ex-PM, in which the veteran funnyman stars as the country's third-longest-serving prime minister, and Charlie Pickering's as-yet-untitled news comedy show to the return of Wil Anderson, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft to the Gruen franchise.

Plus, ABC will be unveiling a wealth of Aussie drama such as The Secret River, witness-protection parable Hiding, paranormal mystery series Glitch, and The Beautiful Lie, based on Tolstoy's classic, Anna Karenina. Non-fiction gets a broader look-in with shows such as Making Australia Great — a chat with the past six prime ministers — and Sarah Ferguson's No Excuses!, which lifts the veil on the hidden world of domestic violence, as well as Tattoo Tales, which promises to provide a fascinating insight to tattoo culture and consumerism in the country.

The ABC's 2015 prospectus also brings a modicum of relief amid the broadcaster's recent budget woes, confirming that ABC2 is safe for now, and that it would not be axing Lateline. Meanwhile, due to "commissioning cycle" reasons, the ABC — without admitting cancellation — has not confirmed the projected returns of series such as Upper Middle Bogan, anything from The Chaser crew, or cult programs such as Kitchen Cabinet and Black Comedy.

"As always, it's great, local TV shows that audiences want and I am so proud of the rich and diverse slate we've created for them for next year," Finlayson said. "On ABC, in 2015, it's all good."