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ABC Radio National

Broadcast area	Australia
Frequency	Various (FM and AM), DAB+, online
First air date	5 December 1923 (1923-12-05)
Format	News, talk
Language(s)	English
Callsign meaning	RN - Radio National
Owner	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sister stations	ABC Classic FM, ABC Local Radio, ABC NewsRadio, Triple J
Webcast	Live stream
Website	abc.net.au/radionational/

ABC Radio National, known on-air as RN, is an Australia-wide Public Service Broadcasting radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

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 international broadcasting service which was transmitted on shortwave until January 2017.^[1]

Radio National currently has 327 transmitter sites and covers over 98% of the permanently inhabited areas of Australia.^{[citation needed]} Remote areas are served by satellite 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.

History

Prime Minister Joseph Lyons preparing to make a broadcast on 2FC Sydney.

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.

Radio National's Sydney station 2FC^[2] 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 took it over.

The origins of the other stations in the network were:

3AR Melbourne – 26 January 1924 "Associated Radio Company of Australia", organized by Esmond Laurence Kiernan and others.^[3][4]

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 3 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. Note also that 4QG commenced with a 500 Watt transmitter which continued for about 6 months until the 5 kW unit was commissioned.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7] That of 5CL had to wait until late 1961, when a new joint facility with 5AN was opened at Pimpala.

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 Timm later remarked that the network is "virtually the only non-print media forum for art in this country."^[8]

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".

Since 1990, all Radio National stations have had the same callsign format, Radio National preceded by the appropriate number for the state or territory, sometimes followed by the locality (e.g., "2RN Sydney", "3RN Melbourne").

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.^[9]

In January 2012 Radio National was rebranded as RN, partly in recognition of the stations growing digital audience. RN has also been used as shorthand for the station's name by many presenters going back several years. The stations 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 January 2017 the schedule has been reduced in scope due to loss of staff and programmes.

Current and Past Programs

The times shown relate to Radio National's schedules in the eastern states of Australia. Pre-recorded shows are broadcast on time delay in the centre and west.

Full program guides for all regions are published on the RN website.^[10]

News

• 
  AM, The World Today, PM: in-depth news and analysis (Monday to Fridays at 07:10, 12:00, and 17:00)


• 
  Correspondents Report: in-depth news and analysis (Sundays at 07:10, repeated Mondays at 05:00)


• 
  Asia Pacific: current regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region, from ABC Radio Australia (Tuesday to Saturday at 00:05 and 05:00)

News and analysis

• 
  Breakfast: "comprehensive coverage and analysis of national and international events - serious, fun, topical and diverse" hosted by Fran Kelly (Mondays–Fridays, 06:00 to 09:00; includes AM at 07:10)


• 
  RN Drive: "With fresh perspectives and intelligent analysis RN Drive goes behind the headlines to bring you original insights into major stories and events." Hosted by Patricia Karvelas (Mondays–Fridays, 18:00 to 19:30)


• 
  Bush Telegraph: "an entertaining look at rural and regional issues around Australia" (Mondays–Fridays 11:00) ended in 2014


• 
  Background Briefing ABC Radio's agenda-setting current affairs investigative program (Sundays 09:00 repeated Tuesdays 19:00, Wednesdays 04:00)


• 
  Counterpoint hosted by Amanda Vanstone (Mondays 16:00, repeated Fridays 13:00)


• 
  The Health Report: appealing to "both specialist and mainstream audiences by applying a broad definition of health, and seeing health and medicine within social, scientific and political contexts" and hosted by Dr Norman Swan (Mondays 08:30, repeated Tuesdays 00:30)


• 
  The Law Report: "Breaking legal stories across Australia and overseas, analysing law reform, legal education, test cases, miscarriages of justice and examining legal culture" (Mondays 17:30, repeated Tuesdays 05:30)


• 
  Life Matters, a "guide to a better life for you, those you love and the place you call home" (Mondays–Fridays 09:00 and repeated the following morning at 04:00)


• 
  Late Night Live, hosted by Phillip Adams (Mondays–Thursdays 22:00–23:00 and repeated the following afternoon at 16:00)

Arts and music

Note that most of these programmes have been shut down in 2017

• 
  Poetica: poetry featured and produced for radio (Saturdays 15:00, repeated Thursdays 15:00) Canceled 2014


• 
  The Live Set: live music performances (Fridays 20:00 repeated Sundays 16:00) Canceled


• 
  The Music Show: started in 1991 as In Tempo 91 with presenter Andrew Ford. Latest developments in music, featured music and interviews with performers/composers (Saturdays 10:00–12:00 and 20:00–22:00)


• 
  Sound Quality: latest new music in the genre of electronica and others hosted by Tim Ritchie, former JJJ announcer and DJ (Fridays 23:00) Canceled


• 
  The Daily Planet : "a unique window into the world's diverse, traditional and innovative musics ... Good players don't put music into little boxes, so we don't either" Presented by Lucky Oceans (Mondays–Thursdays 23:00-12:00) Canceled


• 
  The Weekend Planet: Ranges across the world’s most eloquent, individual, intimate, inventive beautiful music. Each edition is highly diverse, but has a particular focus. Surprising connections abound. Amazingly rich playlists. Presented by Doug Spencer (Saturdays and Sundays 22:00)(Show terminated 25/Jan/2015 following Govt mandated cutbacks)


• 
  Books and Arts Daily: Interviews with writers, critics, artists, performers and musicians from Australia and around the world, presented by Michael Cathcart (Monday to Fridays 10:00)


• 
  Into the Music: Exploring and celebrating all aspects of music. Ranging across the history of music, the lives and experiences of musicians and the practices of music-making. Presented by Sarah Kanowski as part of Weekend Arts (Saturdays 16:05) Canceled


• 
  By Design: Exploring design to make life easier and more interesting.

Cancelled -in part replaced by Blueprint for Living

• 
  Blueprint For Living a weekly rummage through the essential cultural ingredients—design, architecture, food, travel, fashion—for a good life


• 
  Weekend Arts: Conversations on writing, poetry, performance, visual art & film, presented by Sarah Kanowski (Monday to Fridays 10:00)

Religion

Radio National's religion unit provides reporting and analysis on religious and ethical issues for Australia. Following its ABC charter obligations, this unit forms a key part of the ABC's religion output, and is unique in providing the independent analysis of a public broadcaster.^[11]

• 
  Encounter: "a radio documentary series exploring connections between religion and life" (Sundays 07:10, repeated Wednesdays 19:00) Cancelled


• 
  Religion and Ethics Report: "a weekly window into the world of religious affairs and ethical issues in Australia and around the globe" (Wednesday 17:30, repeated Thursdays 05.30 and Friday 11:00)^[12]
  


• 
  The Rhythm Divine : "a musical journey through the world of belief" (Fridays 21:00, repeated Sundays 05:00)


• 
  The Spirit Of Things: "an adventure into religion and spirituality, exploring contemporary values and beliefs" (Sundays 18:00, repeated Tuesdays 13:00 and Wednesdays 02:00)

Society and culture

• 
  All In The Mind presented by Lynne Malcolm, investigates the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour (Sundays 17:00, Mondays 13:00), in three-month seasons with The Body Sphere
  


• 
  The Body Sphere presented by Amanda Smith, investigates the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour (Sundays 17:00, Mondays 13:00), in three-month seasons with All In The Mind
  


• 
  360documentaries: "the best radio features and documentaries from Australia and around the world" (Sundays 10:00, repeated Fridays 14:00)


• 
  Big Ideas deals with concepts of global importance (Mondays to Thursdays 20:00)


• 
  The Philosopher's Zone: your guide through the strange thickets of logic, metaphysics and ethics, presented by Joe Gelonesi. (Sundays 17:35, Mondays 13:35)


• 
  The Minefield: a guide through the ethical and moral minefield of modern life Wednesdays 11:30 hosted by Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens

Science

• 
  The Science Show: recent developments in the field of science, presented by Robyn Williams (Saturdays 12:10–13:00, repeated Mondays 19:10–20:00, Tuesdays 4:00)


• 
  The Naked Scientists: is a round up of breaking science news and themed episodes exploring key issues in science, presented by "Naked Scientist" Dr Chris Smith (Fridays at 22:10-23:00, repeated Sundays 04:10-05:00)


• 
  Ockham's Razor: a weekly opinion piece presented by Robyn Williams (Sundays 7:45)*


• 
  All In The Mind presented by Lynne Malcolm, investigates the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour (Sundays 17:00, Mondays 13:00), in three-month seasons with The Body Sphere
  

2008 program schedule controversy

In 2008, controversial programming changes once more raised the issue of funding cuts to the public broadcaster.^{[13][14][15][16]} Presenter Stephen Crittenden leaked confidential Radio National programming changes in an unscheduled live broadcast before the start of his show, vehemently criticising his superiors.^[17]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: "... spells the death of religion at the ABC."

Stephen Crittenden was suspended for his outburst, amid criticism from some colleagues for his unprofessionalism and praise from others for his outspokeness.^[18] His unscripted comments were cut from Radio National's podcast and transcript of the program, but the subsequent comment by religious commentator Paul Collins on crikey.com reiterated Crittenden's fears.^[19] Crittenden was eventually reinstated as a reporter in the flagship investigative program Background Briefing after an independent investigation resulted in a confidential settlement with the presenter.^[20] However his program, and the other eight cancelled or merged were not re-instated that year. The head of ABC Radio Sue Howard was dismissed in 2009, partly for the perception that the controversy was mishandled.^[21]

In 2012 a new Religion and Ethics report was re-launched hosted by Andrew West. The Media Report was also relaunched, hosted by broadcaster and former Life Matters host Richard Aedy.^[22] The Media Report was however cancelled again in 2015.^[23]

2017 Music programme and staff removal

In late 2016, the new head of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie, defended the removal of staff and programmes from the Radio National 2017 schedule.^[24][25][26]

See also

• List of radio stations in Australia


• Radio New Zealand National


• Timeline of Australian radio


• BBC Radio 4


• 
  Bald Hills Radiator, ABC's AM radio transmission centre in Brisbane

References

External links

• ABC Radio National


• 
  Frequencies from Radio National


• 
  Pool, Radio National's collaborative media space


• Visit the National Film and Sound Archive's Women in Radio collection for more information about the history of women in radio in Australia.