Radio National Explained

ABC Radio National
Area:Australia
Frequency:Various (FM and AM), DAB+, DVB-T Ch-26, online
Format:News, talk
Language:English
Callsign Meaning:Radio National
Owner:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sister Stations:ABC Classic FM, ABC Local Radio, ABC NewsRadio, Triple J
Former Names:ABC Radio 2 (1947–1985)
Webcast:Live stream

ABC Radio National, known on-air as RN, is an Australia-wide public service broadcasting radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). From 1947 until 1985, the network was known as ABC Radio 2.

History

1937: Predecessors and beginnings

From 1928, the National Broadcasting Service, as part of the federal Postmaster-General's Department, gradually took over responsibility for all the existing stations that were sponsored by public licence fees ("A" Class licences). The outsourced Australian Broadcasting Company supplied programs from 1929. In 1932 a commission was established, merging the original ABC company and the National Broadcasting Service. It is from this time that Radio National dates as a distinct network within the ABC, in which a system of program relays was developed during the subsequent decades to link stations spread across the nation.

The beginnings of Radio National lie with Sydney radio station 2FC,[1] which aired its first test broadcast on 5 December 1923 and officially went to air on 9 January 1924.[2] 2FC stood for Farmer and Company, the original owner of the station before the ABC bought the station in 1937.[3]

The ABC then rolled out a national network across the country, somewhat similar in nature to the BBC National Programme.[3] The origins of the other stations in the network were:

The first transmitters for 2FC, 5CL and 4QG were made by AWA with power of 5 kW (note that until about 1931 in Australia, transmitter powers were defined in terms of DC input to final amplifier, typically about three times that of the power into the antenna; thus power today would be stated as about 1.7 kW). They used a MT7A valve for the final high power RF stage and a MT7B for the modulator. The power supply was 12,000 volts from three phase power rectified by MR7 valves. 4QG commenced with a 500 Watt transmitter which continued for about 6 months until the 5 kW unit was commissioned.[6]

The radio transmitters for 3AR and 2FC were upgraded to 10 kW in a contract let in 1938 to STC. The transmitters were designed by Charles Strong in London, and were notable in using negative feedback to ensure a high quality flat frequency response.[7]

From 1947 until the mid-1980s, "Radio 2" (as it came to be known) was broadcast to the major metropolitan centres, with a large broadcast footprint in adjacent areas due to the powerful AM transmitters in use. It contained most of the ABC's national programming.

The power level of 2FC and 3AR was upgraded to 50 kW in the early 1950s. The transmitters for these were housed in the same building as the radio 1 network. They were manufactured by STC. The final stage contained three parallel 3J/261E air cooled triodes running in class C amplifier at 90% efficiency. These were driven by a class B push-pull modulator with the same type of valves.[8] That of 5CL had to wait until late 1961, when a new joint facility with 5AN was opened at Pimpala.

1970s–1980s

In the 1970s, the network's program format began to take on a more serious tone, a style which continues to this day. Art critic Peter Timms later remarked that the network is "virtually the only non-print media forum for art in this country".[9]

In the early 1980s the broadcast footprint was extended with the construction of the first of over 300 regional FM transmitters (including community re-broadcast sites). In 1985, the ABC renamed "Radio 2" as "Radio National".[10] [3]

1990s

Since 1990, all Radio National stations have had the same callsign, "RN".[10]

As a result of cuts in the 1996–97 budget, Radio National was hit with a reduction of a million dollars in its funding, with a significant impact on programming.[11]

21st century

In 2008, controversial programming changes once more raised the issue of funding cuts to the public broadcaster.[12] [13] [14] [15] Presenter Stephen Crittenden leaked confidential programming changes in an unscheduled live broadcast before the start of his show, criticising his superiors.[16] He was suspended for his outburst,[17] and his unscripted comments were cut from Radio National's podcast and transcript of the program. Religious commentator Paul Collins on crikey.com subsequently echoed Crittenden's fears.[18] Crittenden was reinstated in 2009 as a reporter on Background Briefing, after a settlement was reached.[19] However, his program and the other eight programs that had been cancelled or merged were not re-instated that year. The head of ABC Radio, Sue Howard, was dismissed in 2009.[20]

In January 2012 Radio National was rebranded as RN, partly in recognition of the station's growing digital audience. RN has also been used as shorthand for the station's name by many presenters going back several years. RN's tagline, which has changed regularly over the years, was also changed to "Your World Unfolding" to mesh with the station's new logo and visual identity.

In 2012 a new Religion and Ethics report was launched, hosted by Andrew West. The Media Report was also relaunched, hosted by broadcaster and former Life Matters host Richard Aedy.[21] The Media Report was, however, cancelled again in 2015.[22]

In late 2016, the new head of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie, defended the removal of staff and programmes from the Radio National 2017 schedule.[23] [24] [25] In January 2017 the schedule was reduced in scope due to loss of staff and programmes.

In November 2024, Radio National announced new programmes and schedule to relaunch the station in 2025 as "the centre of big conversations and create a space where audiences can expand their worldview while engaging with the world’s best thinkers." This was the biggest slate of changes and largest announcement of new programmes since the 2017 changes.[26]

The new programming schedule commenced on January 20, 2025. The station also changed its logo from the previous 'RN' logo to a new 'Radio National' logo.

Among the major changes to the station programming included: The return of previous Radio National Breakfast host Fran Kelly with a new news magazine programme at 6 PM weeknights called the Radio National Hour [27] [28] and a revamped Radio National Breakfast, broadcast each weekday from the earlier time of 5:30 AM with Sally Sara as host.

The new Breakfast format now included news presenter Luke Siddham Dundon, Canberra-based political correspondent Melissa Clarke and business correspondent Peter Ryan in addition to Sara. The program was changed to model BBC Radio 4's Today programme, with more serious national and international news covered, as well as live crosses to Clarke and Ryan for politics and business coverage throughout the programme.[29] [30]

As part of the change to the schedule, some long-running programmes were cancelled. Afternoon news magazine programme RN Drive was also axed in favour of Kelly's Radio National Hour,[31] with host Andy Park now hosting the daily afternoon news and current affair show The World Today, previously hosted by Sara.[32]

Economics programme The Money hosted by Richard Aedy was cancelled and replaced by new programme The Economy, Stupid [33] hosted by Peter Martin. Lifestyle and design programme Blueprint for Living was discontinued with host Jonathan Green now hosting a new weekly food programme, Every Bite.[34] [35]

Rural affairs news magazine programme Australia Wide which previously aired at 6:30 PM weeknights is no longer broadcast on Radio National with Kelly's programme broadcasting during its previous time slot. Australia Wide is still broadcast on ABC Local Radio stations in regional areas outside capital cities.[36]

Other changes to the Radio National schedule in 2025 included:[37] [38] https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/893c6bfc1fcf965cba94cd722f439d96

Ben Latimer, the ABC's Director of Audio told Australian marketing and media industry news website, Mumbrella that the 2025 changes was ABC Radio National's reaffirming of "its role as Australia’s premier audio gateway, offering audiences a window into the rich tapestry of intellectual and creative life in this country."[46]

Description

Radio National broadcasts national programming in subjects that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy. Some programs are relayed on Radio Australia, the ABC's international broadcasting service which was transmitted on shortwave until January 2017, as well as 24-hour FM stations, local relay stations and live satellite.[47]

All radio programs are available for live streaming over the Internet, and most (excluding drama, poetry and music) as audio-on-demand, or for download as MP3s for at least four weeks after broadcast. Some programs are available as MP3s going back to 2005, when Radio National commenced podcasting.

Selected programs

Some of the following programs, listed in order of start date, are aired on both Radio National and ABC Local Radio networks.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2FC radio mast at Willoughby . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815141855/http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NaaMedia/ShowImage.asp?B=3025014&S=1&T=P . August 15, 2011 . April 29, 2024.
  2. News: Advertising . . 26,836 . New South Wales, Australia . 9 January 1924 . 21 November 2021 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  3. Web site: Tuning In Down Under - International radio . Transdiffusion Broadcasting System . Glenn. Aylett. 9 April 2007 . 16 February 2021.
  4. http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/onthisday/decade.cfm?d=1920 On This Day
  5. http://radiodx.com/spdxr/aussie_callsigns.htm Aussie Callsigns
  6. Book: Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Winston T. Muscio. 1984. Kangaroo Press. 0-949924-82-2. 66.
  7. Book: Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Winston T. Muscio. 1984. Kangaroo Press. 0-949924-82-2. 68.
  8. Book: Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Winston T. Muscio. 1984. Kangaroo Press. 0-949924-82-2 . 76.
  9. Timms, Peter. What's wrong with contemporary art? 2004, University of New South Wales Press,, p. 102
  10. Web site: About the ABC – The 80s . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . https://archive.today/20121208165604/http://abc.net.au/corp/history/hist6.htm . dead . 8 December 2012 . 1 October 2007 .
  11. http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/budget/1996-97/1996-97BR04.HTM Budget Review 1996–97
  12. Web site: ABC flagship radio shows axed. Land. Farm Online. 16 October 2008. 1 April 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706103944/http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/metro/national/general/abc-flagship-radio-shows-axed/1334972.aspx. 6 July 2011.
  13. Web site: Anger as ABC axes specialist programs from Radio National. Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. 16 October 2008. 1 April 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004151524/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/anger-as-abc-axes-specialist-programs-from-radio-national/1335009.aspx. 4 October 2011.
  14. Web site: Programs axed amid Radio National reshuffle. ABC News. ABC. 15 October 2008. 1 April 2011.
  15. http://www.abc.net.au/services/podcasting/subject_Religion.htm
  16. http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/rrt_20081015.mp3
  17. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,24526865-10388,00.html
  18. Web site: What are they doing to Radio National? God help us!. https://archive.today/20120904041900/http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20081015-What-are-they-doing-to-Radio-National-God-help-us.html?source=kwoff. dead. 4 September 2012. Crikey. 15 October 2008. 1 April 2011.
  19. News: ???. The Australian. 8 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20090503155054/http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/mediadiary/index.php/australianmedia/comments/religion_reporter_stephen_crittenden_still_on_air_but_not_live. 3 May 2009. dead.
  20. Web site: Margaret. Simons. Goodbye Sue Howard, hello ABC restructure?. Crikey. 17 December 2008. 1 April 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081222064854/http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20081217-Sue-Howard.html. 22 December 2008.
  21. Web site: Radio National announces new 2012 lineup. Radio National. 23 January 2012. 17 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120726081229/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/features/2012-lineup/3686336. 26 July 2012. dead.
  22. News: The Weekly Beast: ABC Radio National dumps Richard Aedy's Media Report. 5 March 2017. The Guardian. 19 November 2015.
  23. Web site: Jaws drop at ABC as Michelle Guthrie defends Radio National cuts – Weekly Beast. Amanda. Meade. 8 December 2016. the Guardian.
  24. Web site: Radio National to lose eight staff as ABC cuts several programs from 2017 schedule. Amanda. Meade. 15 November 2016. the Guardian.
  25. Web site: ABC board demands director of radio explain Radio National cuts. Amanda. Meade. 7 December 2016. the Guardian.
  26. Web site: 2024-11-21 . ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious . 2025-02-01 . About the ABC . en-AU.
  27. News: Meade . Amanda . 2024-11-21 . ABC radio shakeup: Fran Kelly to host new show as Sarah Macdonald dumped from Sydney morning program . 2025-02-01 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  28. Web site: 2025-01-31 . The Radio National Hour with Fran Kelly . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  29. News: 2024-10-31 . Sally Sara to replace Patricia Karvelas as host of ABC Radio National Breakfast . 2025-02-01 . ABC News . en-AU.
  30. Web site: Jaspan . Calum . 2024-10-31 . Kim Williams’ BBC dream comes to life at Radio National . 2025-02-01 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en.
  31. Web site: 2025-01-31 . RN Drive with Andy Park . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  32. Web site: Seyderhelm . Jennifer . 2024-11-21 . A big day of ABC Radio movement . 2025-02-01 . RadioInfo Australia . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2025-01-20 . The Money with Richard Aedy . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  34. Web site: 2025-01-21 . Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  35. Web site: 2025-01-31 . Every Bite with Jonathan Green . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  36. Web site: 2025-01-31 . Australia Wide with Sinéad Mangan . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  37. Web site: Broadcast Schedule . 2025-02-01 . ABC Radio National . en-AU.
  38. Web site: 2024-11-21 . ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious . 2025-02-01 . About the ABC . en-AU.
  39. Web site: 2025-01-28 . Lab Notes with Belinda Smith . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  40. Web site: 2025-01-31 . Thank God It's Friday! with Charlie Pickering . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  41. Web site: 2024-11-21 . Brigitte Duclos joins 774 ABC Melbourne in 2025 . 2025-02-01 . About the ABC . en-AU.
  42. Web site: 2025-01-19 . TGIF! with Charlie Pickering . 2025-02-01 . ABC Melbourne . en-AU.
  43. Web site: Patterson . Sarah . 2024-11-21 . Chris Bath and Charlie Pickering join ABC Radio Sydney for 2025 . 2025-02-01 . Radio Today . en-AU.
  44. Web site: 2024-11-21 . ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious . 2025-02-01 . About the ABC . en-AU.
  45. Web site: Broadcast Schedule . 2025-02-01 . ABC Radio National . en-AU.
  46. Web site: Jolly . Nathan . 2024-11-21 . Fran Kelly returns to Radio National; Tim Burrowes to debut new media show on ABC RN . 2025-02-01 . Mumbrella . en-US.
  47. Web site: ABC Exits Shortwave Radio Transmission. About the ABC. en-AU. 5 December 2018.
  48. Web site: Johnson . Natasha . ABC News . Robyn Williams, host of ABC RN's The Science Show, on 50 years of broadcasting and the day Norman Swan saved his life . 29 May 2022 . . 29 May 2022.
  49. Web site: Schmidt . Lucinda . Profile: Norman Swan . The Sydney Morning Herald . 25 August 2010 . 19 August 2023.
  50. Web site: Health Report with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor . . 19 August 2023.
  51. Web site: ABC Radio National's The Music Show clocks up 30 years on air. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 14 February 2021 . 17 February 2021.
  52. Web site: Music show team . ABC Radio National . 17 February 2021.
  53. Web site: For 30 years Awaye! has reflected Indigenous culture through the arts . ABC listen . 2023-02-04 . 2024-09-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20240903064229/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/awaye/30-years-of-awaye/101927712. 3 September 2024. live.
  54. Web site: Awaye! with Rudi Bremer . ABC listen . 2024-08-31 . 2024-09-03.
  55. Web site: Patterson . Sarah . 2023-03-23 . Natasha Mitchell to host the ABC's Big Ideas podcast . 2025-02-01 . Radio Today . en-AU.
  56. Web site: Speaking Out, with Larissa Behrendt . ABC Radio . 2 December 2021.
  57. Web site: Bhatt . Neerav . Behind the Scenes of Radio National Future Tense . Electrifying Everything . 3 September 2009 . 27 November 2024.
  58. Web site: Future Tense with Antony Funnell . ABC listen. 21 November 2024 . 27 November 2024.
  59. Web site: RN farewells Waleed Aly . ABC Radio National . 1 December 2014 . 11 October 2023.
  60. Web site: Christensen . Nic . ABC hires The Australian's Patricia Karvelas as RN Drive host replacing Waleed Aly . . 21 December 2014 . 11 October 2023.
  61. Web site: Welch . Kalila . Andy Park to host RN Drive in 2022 . . 12 December 2021 . 11 October 2023.
  62. Web site: Andy Park . . 11 March 2022 . 11 October 2023.
  63. Web site: Seyderhelm . Jennifer . 2024-11-21 . A big day of ABC Radio movement . 2025-02-01 . RadioInfo Australia . en-US.
  64. Web site: RN Drive with Andy Park . . 10 October 2023 . 11 October 2023.
  65. Web site: Waleed Aly rejoins Radio National . Radio Today . 30 March 2015 . 11 October 2023.
  66. Web site: The Minefield with Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens . . 4 October 2023 . 11 October 2023.
  67. Web site: Meade . Amanda . ABC makes big changes to radio programs across Australia . . 6 December 2017 . 14 January 2022.
  68. Web site: Silly season is here and the changes are coming thick and fast. 3 December 2019. RadioInfo Australia. 14 January 2022.
  69. Web site: Past Programs . ABC Radio National. The Art Show . 14 January 2022.
  70. Web site: Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green . ABC listen . 13 September 2024 . 15 September 2024.
  71. Web site: 2025-01-21 . Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green . 2025-02-01 . ABC listen . en-AU.
  72. Web site: Jonathan Green . Melbourne University Publishing . 15 September 2024.
  73. Web site: Green to leave Meanjin . Books+Publishing . 17 May 2022 . 15 September 2024.
  74. Web site: Jonathan Green . ABC Radio National . 2 May 2022 . 15 September 2024.
  75. Web site: Sporty - Programs . ABC Radio National . 16 February 2021.
  76. Web site: Past Programs by Date - Sporty . ABC Radio National . 16 February 2021.
  77. Web site: Episodes - Correspondents Report . ABC Radio . 10 October 2003 . 16 February 2021.
  78. Web site: Foreign Correspondent: Latest Segments . ABC Radio . 16 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216073931/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/correspondentsreport/latest-segments/10858602?page=7. 16 Feb 2021.
  79. Web site: Stop Everything! with Benjamin Law and Beverley Wang . ABC Radio National . 30 March 2023 . 2 April 2023.
  80. Web site: The Screen Show with Jason Di Rosso . ABC listen . 24 August 2023.

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