The LogoFreeABC web site was created as a meeting point for people wish to protest against the inroduction of watermarks on ABC television broadcasts.

Since January 2005, our national broadcaster has polluted their broadcasts with a variety of watermarks and text logos that inconsistently change shape, location and brightness. Sometimes there are up to 3 watermarks on the screen at one time, and occasionally the watermarks are rendered incorrectly. It is impossible to watch and enjoy the superior programming of the ABC while watermarks stain the screen. The ABC has lost it's unique identity, it now looks like a commercial station.

Sadly, whilst this website was being constructed, SBS joined the ABC in July 2005 to degrade their content too. This means that taxpayers money is no longer being spent on delivering high quality content to the Australian public. This situation should not exist.

The watermarks were introduced without warning and without consultation of taxpayers, supporters and viewers. The ABC has remained stubborn and defiant in the face of all complaints and they reply to all phone, email and written complaints with a monotonous standard reply that is discussed on the Bluster & Baloney and Email Responses pages.

"In the UK, BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, channels 4 and FIVE, SKY Movie channels 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, SKY Cinema 1 and 2 have either all removed (or have no) watermarks during their major program transmissions." - Quote from DTV web forum.

We hope that this page will bring together people all over the country who are angry about ABC and SBS watermarks, advise you about the underlying issues and help us combine efforts to campaign for the removal of the watermarks.

Note from Greg (12-Feb-2008) re new ABC watermarks

Due to lack of hobby time I haven't been able to update this web site for almost 2 years. However, I was suddenly spurred into action by the arrival of the new ABC1 and ABC2 watermarks which appeared last week. I have received several emails from people who, like me, are shocked and angry about the gigantic coloured block watermarks which are inside the 4:3 area close to centre screen. I have tried to contact someone at the ABC who can give me an official comment about the watermarks, but I have been stalled and redirected and can't get through. The new watermarks are so intrusive that they are not longer simply annoying, they are insane. Please complain loudly and widely to the ABC about their new watermarks, and get friends, family and colleagues to join you. This vandalism of our national broadcaster must be stopped. One evening, after switching off another of my favourite ABC shows in disgust at the gigantic watermark, I sent this Email to The ABC. It's plain and simple, but it expresses my tired feelings on the matter.