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Radio National

Broadcast area	Australia
Frequency	Various (FM and AM), DAB+, DVB-T Ch-26, online
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	News, talk
Ownership
Owner	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sister stations	ABC Classic FM, ABC Local Radio, ABC NewsRadio, Triple J
History
First air date	5 December 1923; 101 years ago (1923-12-05)
Former names	ABC Radio 2 (1947–1985)
Call sign meaning	Radio National
Links
Webcast	Live stream
Website	abc.net.au/radionational/

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, which aired its first test broadcast on 5 December 1923 and officially went to air on 9 January 1924. 2FC stood for Farmer and Company, the original owner of the station before the ABC bought the station in 1937.

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

• 3AR Melbourne – 26 January 1924 "Associated Radio Company of Australia", organised by Esmond Laurence Kiernan and others.
• 5CL Adelaide – 20 November 1924 "Central Broadcasters Ltd".
• 7ZL Hobart – 17 December 1924.
• 4QG Brisbane – 27 July 1925 "Queensland Government" (operated by the Queensland Radio Service, an agency within the Office of the Chief Secretary).
• 6WN Perth – 5 October 1938 "Wanneroo".
• 2CY Canberra – 23 December 1938.
• 2NA Newcastle – 20 December 1943.

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.

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.

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. 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".

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".

1990s

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

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.

21st century

In 2008, controversial programming changes once more raised the issue of funding cuts to the public broadcaster. Presenter Stephen Crittenden leaked confidential programming changes in an unscheduled live broadcast before the start of his show, criticising his superiors. He was suspended for his outburst, 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. Crittenden was reinstated in 2009 as a reporter on Background Briefing, after a settlement was reached. 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.

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. The Media Report was, however, cancelled again in 2015.

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

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. The station also often relays programming from the BBC World Service.

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.

• Boyer Lectures (1959–present)
• PM (1969–present)
• Correspondents Report (before 1974–c.2019)
• The Science Show (1975–present, Robyn Williams)
• The Coming Out Show (1975–c.1998)
• Ockham's Razor (1984–present, Robyn Williams, then Tegan Taylor)
• The Health Report (1985–present, Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor)
• Late Night Live (1991–present, Phillip Adams)
• The Music Show (1991–present, Andrew Ford since 1995)
• The Live Set (1986–2017)
• Life Matters (1992–present)
• Awaye! (8 February 1993–present), an Indigenous art and culture program presented by Rudi Bremer as of September 2024
• RN Breakfast (1994–present, Peter Thompson 1994-2005, then Fran Kelly 2005-2021, then Patricia Karvelas)
• Conversations (2012–present)
• The National Interest (1995–2011, Terry Lane, Peter Mares)
• Sound Quality (1995–2015, Tim Ritchie)
• The World Today (1999–present)
• Bush Telegraph (2001–2014)
• Big Ideas (c.2002–present, Paul Barclay)
• Speaking Out (1990–present, Larissa Behrendt)
• The Night Air (2002–2013)
• All in the Mind (c.2003–present)
• Counterpoint (2004–present, Amanda Vanstone)
• Future Tense (2009–present, Antony Funnell)
• RN Drive (2012–2014 Waleed Aly; 2015–2021 Patricia Karvelas; 2022–present Andy Park), covering politics, current affairs, arts, and culture
• The Minefield (April 2015–present), hosted by Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens, which discusses ethical dilemmas
• The Art Show, formerly The Art Hub (December 2017–), hosted by Ed Ayres until mid-January 2020, when it was taken over by Namila Benson. Around July 2021 Daniel Browning became the main presenter.
• Blueprint for Living (2018 or earlier – present), Jonathan Green (former editor of Meanjin and founding editor of ABC Online's The Drum
• Sporty (c.2019–2022, Amanda Smith)
• Sunday Extra (2019–present, Julian Morrow, including Background Briefing and Ockham's Razor, and apparently superseding Correspondents Report)
• Stop Everything!, presented by Benjamin Law and Beverley Wang
• The Screen Show, with Jason Di Rosso

See also

• Bald Hills Radiator, ABC's AM radio transmission centre in Brisbane
• BBC Radio 4
• List of radio stations in Australia
• Radio New Zealand National
• Timeline of Australian radio

References

1. "2FC radio mast at Willoughby". Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
2. "Advertising". Sydney Morning Herald. No. 26, 836. New South Wales, Australia. 9 January 1924. p. 10. Retrieved 21 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
3. ^ Aylett, Glenn (9 April 2007). "Tuning In Down Under - International radio". Transdiffusion Broadcasting System. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
4. On This Day Vic Parliament
5. Aussie Callsigns Archived 23 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine at RadioDX
6. Winston T. Muscio (1984). Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Kangaroo Press. p. 66. ISBN 0-949924-82-2.
7. Winston T. Muscio (1984). Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Kangaroo Press. p. 68. ISBN 0-949924-82-2.
8. Winston T. Muscio (1984). Australian Radio the Technical Story 1923–83. Kangaroo Press. p. 76. ISBN 0-949924-82-2.
9. Timms, Peter. What's wrong with contemporary art? 2004, University of New South Wales Press, ISBN 0-86840-407-1, p. 102
10. ^ "About the ABC – The 80s". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
11. Budget Review 1996–97 Archived 15 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Parliament House
12. "ABC flagship radio shows axed". Land. Farm Online. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
13. "Anger as ABC axes specialist programs from Radio National". Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
14. "Programs axed amid Radio National reshuffle". ABC News. ABC. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
15. Archived 2 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
17. Archived 22 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
18. "What are they doing to Radio National? God help us!". Crikey. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
19. "???". The Australian. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
20. Simons, Margaret (17 December 2008). "Goodbye Sue Howard, hello ABC restructure?". Crikey. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
21. "Radio National announces new 2012 lineup". Radio National. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
22. "The Weekly Beast: ABC Radio National dumps Richard Aedy's Media Report". The Guardian. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
23. Meade, Amanda (8 December 2016). "Jaws drop at ABC as Michelle Guthrie defends Radio National cuts – Weekly Beast". the Guardian.
24. Meade, Amanda (15 November 2016). "Radio National to lose eight staff as ABC cuts several programs from 2017 schedule". the Guardian.
25. Meade, Amanda (7 December 2016). "ABC board demands director of radio explain Radio National cuts". the Guardian.
26. "ABC Exits Shortwave Radio Transmission". About the ABC. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
27. "Australasia". BBC World Service. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
28. ^ "Episodes - Correspondents Report". ABC Radio. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
29. ^ "Foreign Correspondent: Latest Segments". ABC Radio. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
30. ^ Johnson, Natasha (29 May 2022). "Robyn Williams, host of ABC RN's The Science Show, on 50 years of broadcasting and the day Norman Swan saved his life". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
31. Schmidt, Lucinda (25 August 2010). "Profile: Norman Swan". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
32. "Health Report with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor". ABC Listen. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
33. "ABC Radio National's The Music Show clocks up 30 years on air". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
34. "Music show team". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
35. "For 30 years Awaye! has reflected Indigenous culture through the arts". ABC listen. 4 February 2023. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
36. "Awaye! with Rudi Bremer". ABC listen. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
37. "Speaking Out, with Larissa Behrendt". ABC Radio. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
38. Bhatt, Neerav (3 September 2009). "Behind the Scenes of Radio National Future Tense". Electrifying Everything. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
39. "Future Tense with Antony Funnell". ABC listen. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
40. "RN farewells Waleed Aly". ABC Radio National. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
41. Christensen, Nic (21 December 2014). "ABC hires The Australian's Patricia Karvelas as RN Drive host replacing Waleed Aly". Mumbrella. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
42. Welch, Kalila (12 December 2021). "Andy Park to host RN Drive in 2022". Mumbrella. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
43. "Andy Park". Australian Film Television and Radio School. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
44. "RN Drive with Andy Park". ABC Listen. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
45. "Waleed Aly rejoins Radio National". Radio Today. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
46. "The Minefield with Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens". ABC Listen. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
47. Meade, Amanda (6 December 2017). "ABC makes big changes to radio programs across Australia". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
48. "Silly season is here and the changes are coming thick and fast". RadioInfo Australia. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
49. "Past Programs". ABC Radio National. The Art Show. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
50. "Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green". ABC listen. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
51. "Jonathan Green". Melbourne University Publishing. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
52. "Green to leave Meanjin". Books+Publishing. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
53. "Jonathan Green". ABC Radio National. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
54. "Sporty - Programs". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
55. "Past Programs by Date - Sporty". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
56. "Stop Everything! with Benjamin Law and Beverley Wang". ABC Radio National. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
57. "The Screen Show with Jason Di Rosso". ABC listen. Retrieved 24 August 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Current programs
• "Women in Radio: Celebrating women radio pioneers". National Film & Sound Archive.

• Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio
• Australian radio networks
• News and talk radio stations in Australia
• Public radio in Australia
• Radio stations established in 1923
• 1923 establishments in Australia