Radio National

History

1920s–1950s: 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.

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.

1960s–1980s: Broadcast network expansion

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: Unified branding

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.

2000s–2010s: Funding and programming cuts

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, with the scope of the new year's lineup culled due to budget cuts with consequent staff and programming reductions.

2020s: Major changes

In November 2024, Radio National announced new programmes and schedule designed 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 the largest announcement of new programmes since the 2017 upheaval and cuts.

The new programming schedule commenced on 20 January 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 6p.m. weeknights called the Radio National Hour and a revamped Radio National Breakfast, broadcast each weekday from the earlier time of 5:30a.m. 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.

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, with host Andy Park now hosting the daily afternoon news and current affair show The World Today, previously hosted by Sara.

Economics programme The Money, hosted by Richard Aedy, was cancelled and replaced by new programme The Economy, Stupid 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.

Rural affairs news magazine programme Australia Wide (which previously aired at 6:30p.m. 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.

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

• The PM programme is returning to 5p.m. weekdays, made possible the cancellation RN Drive which previously aired from 4p.m. to 5:30p.m. weekdays.
• After PM, the specialist programmes that previously aired at 6p.m. are returning to their previous 5.30p.m. slot, including Global Roaming on Mondays, Law Report on Tuesdays, Religion and Ethics Report on Wednesdays, new programs The Economy, Stupid on Thursdays and MediaLand on Fridays. Previous Friday programme Download this Show, with new host Rae Johnston (replacing Marc Fennell), now first airs at 8p.m. each Friday night.
• Visual arts programme The Art Show (hosted by Daniel Browning) is halved to 30 minutes on Wednesdays at 10a.m. This is followed by new weekly arts news programme Arts in 30 (also hosted by Browning) at 10:30a.m.
• A new programme focused on scientific research Lab Notes to be hosted by Belinda Smith
• TGIF, previously hosted by Richard Glover (and only airing on ABC Radio Sydney each Friday at 5p.m.), is now also airing on Radio National (on delay) on Friday evenings at 7p.m. with new host Charlie Pickering now broadcasting from Melbourne. The show now also airs on ABC Radio Melbourne live at the same time as Sydney.
• Hilary Harper (Mondays to Wednesday) and Cassie McCullagh (Thursday to Friday) will broadcast live between midday and 4p.m. each weekday, linking programmes and podcasts as part of an effort to return Radio National to a "live, flow format", with the live-to-air host interacting with listeners' text messages and correspondence during the afternoon. This also allows Radio National to air podcasts and programmes that are shorter than 30 minutes, with Harper and McCullagh able to fill air time responding to the audience and content.

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."

In May 2025, Radio National announced a new annual countdown called the Top 100 Books, similar to Triple J's Hottest 100. Each year will have a different theme, with the 2025 countdown being the Top 100 Books of the 21st Century.

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.

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 (1975–1998)
• Radio Helicon (1981-?), N.B. championed by renowned poet Les Murray
• Ockham's Razor (1984–present, Robyn Williams, then Tegan Taylor)
• The Health Report (1985–present, Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor)
• Late Night Live (1991–2024,Phillip Adams; 2024–present, David Marr)
• The Music Show (1991–present, Andrew Ford since 1995)
• The Live Set (1986–2017)
• The Listening Room (1988--2003)
• Life Matters (1992–present)
• Awaye! (8 February 1993–present), an Indigenous art and culture program presented by Rudi Bremer
• Radio Eye (1993--2009, Brent Clough)
• Radio National Breakfast (1994–present, Peter Thompson 1994–2005, then Fran Kelly 2005–2021, Patricia Karvelas 2022–2024, Sally Sara 2025–present)
• Arts Today (1994--1996, David Marr)
• 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.2002–2023, Paul Barclay, 2023–present Natasha Mitchell)
• Speaking Out (1990–present, Larissa Behrendt)
• The Night Air (2002–2013, Brent Clough - producer and main presenter, Tony Barrell, Diane Dean, John Jacobs)
• All in the Mind (c.2003–present)
• Counterpoint (2004–2024, Michael Duffy, Paul Comrie-Thomson, Brendan O'Neill, Tom Switzer, Amanda Vanstone, and other right-wing figures)
• Future Tense (2009–present, Antony Funnell)
• RN Drive (2012–2024), hosted by (2012–2014 Waleed Aly; 2015–2021 Patricia Karvelas; 2022–2024 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 – 2024), 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
• The Economy, Stupid (2024–present)
• The Money
• The Economists
• The Religion and Ethics Report
• The History Listen (2017–2024)
• Rear Vision
• ABC Rewind

References

References

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22. Meade, Amanda. (15 November 2016). "Radio National to lose eight staff as ABC cuts several programs from 2017 schedule".
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24. (21 November 2024). "ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious".
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31. (20 January 2025). "The Money with Richard Aedy".
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33. (31 January 2025). "Every Bite with Jonathan Green".
34. (31 January 2025). "Australia Wide with Sinéad Mangan".
35. "Broadcast Schedule".
36. (21 November 2024). "ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious".
37. (28 January 2025). "Lab Notes with Belinda Smith".
38. (31 January 2025). "Thank God It's Friday! with Charlie Pickering".
39. (21 November 2024). "Brigitte Duclos joins 774 ABC Melbourne in 2025".
40. (19 January 2025). "TGIF! with Charlie Pickering".
41. Patterson, Sarah. (21 November 2024). "Chris Bath and Charlie Pickering join ABC Radio Sydney for 2025".
42. (21 November 2024). "ABC Radio National in 2025: Always Curious".
43. "Broadcast Schedule".
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45. Books, Anna Levy for ABC Radio National's Top 100. (2025-10-01). "Australia's favourite authors share their top books of the 21st century". ABC News.
46. "ABC Exits Shortwave Radio Transmission".
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49. "Health Report with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor".
50. (14 February 2021). "ABC Radio National's The Music Show clocks up 30 years on air". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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52. (4 February 2023). "For 30 years Awaye! has reflected Indigenous culture through the arts".
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57. "Speaking Out, with Larissa Behrendt".
58. Bhatt, Neerav. (3 September 2009). "Behind the Scenes of Radio National Future Tense".
59. (21 November 2024). "Future Tense with Antony Funnell".
60. (1 December 2014). "RN farewells Waleed Aly".
61. Christensen, Nic. (21 December 2014). "ABC hires The Australian's Patricia Karvelas as RN Drive host replacing Waleed Aly".
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63. (11 March 2022). "Andy Park".
64. (10 October 2023). "RN Drive with Andy Park".
65. (30 March 2015). "Waleed Aly rejoins Radio National".
66. (4 October 2023). "The Minefield with Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens".
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68. (3 December 2019). "Silly Season Is Here and the Changes Are Coming Thick and Fast".
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70. (13 September 2024). "Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green".
71. (21 January 2025). "Blueprint For Living with Jonathan Green".
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73. (17 May 2022). "Green to leave Meanjin".
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79. (30 March 2023). "Stop Everything! with Benjamin Law and Beverley Wang".
80. "The Screen Show with Jason Di Rosso".