This article is divided into the following sections:

Programming History Related links

Programming

ABC News and Current Affairs has produced a half-hour long news bulletin for each state and territory since 1987, when "The National" (an hour-long news and current affairs programme) was removed after three years. The ABC News programme was revamped on Australia Day 2005 (now broadcast in widescreen and digital) with a new theme and new graphics. In addition to ABC News, the ABC runs "The 7.30 Report", a half-hour long national current affairs programme broadcast immediately after ABC News from Monday to Thursday. On Friday at 7.30pm, a state-based current affairs programme, "Stateline" is broadcast. Two more ABC News bulletins are produced: "The Midday Report", a look at news and business at midday every weekday; and "Lateline", an hour-long news and current affairs bulletin often featuring live interviews with politicians and public figures.

On radio, the ABC produces hourly news updates for Local Radio, Radio National and Classic FM (with a slightly different bulletin run by Triple J), as well as three current affairs programmes on Radio National and Local Radio, "AM", "The World Today" and "PM". In addition to this, the ABC owns and operates Australia's only dedicated radio news service, ABC NewsRadio, which includes ABC-produced segments including 'Star Stuff' and 'Word Watch' (also broadcast on Classic FM), rebroadcasts programmes from the other radio news services from around the world including BBC World Service, NPR and Deutsche-Welle Radio.

Short, 10-minute ABC News bulletins are also available online at ABC Broadband (as well as separate Sport and Business bulletins).

The ABC also operates the ABC Asia-Pacific satellite service in the Asia-Pacific area, as well as its own radio networks.

History

Formerly known as the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the ABC transmitted radio broadcasts from 1932, and launched its first TV station, ABN-2 Sydney, on 5 November 1956. ABV-2 Melbourne followed on 18 November 1956, just in time for the 1956 Olympic Games.

In 1959, expansion continued with the launch of ABQ-2 Brisbane, and in 1960 with ABT-2 Hobart, ABS-2 Adelaide and ABW-2 Perth. ABC-3 Canberra (now ABC-9) followed in 1962. Darwin was the last capital city to receive ABC, with ABD-6 launching in 1971.

A complete list of ABC television (and radio) frequencies can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/reception/freq/

On 1 March 1975, they began broadcasting in colour, alongside the commercial stations and in 1983, by an Act of Government, the Commission became a Corporation. Since the licence fee was abolished in 1974, the ABC has been funded by a grant-in-aid from the Government.

In 1980, ABC commenced transmission via the international Intelsat satellites, enabling access to the station in remote and outback areas in Australia not covered by normal terrestrial television. In 1986, this switched to the new domestic satellite AUSSAT.

On 1 January 2001, ABC commenced digital transmission in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, with expansion to follow in other regions. Under the relevant legislation, only ABC and SBS are permitted to operate multi-channel services on the digital platform. In 2002, ABC launched new digital channels ABC Kids, broadcasting childrens programming from 6am to 6pm, and FLY broadcasting music and youth culture from 6pm to 6am. Both channels were ceased in 2003 following budget cuts.

On 7 March 2005, a new digital channel ABC2 launched, offering regional news and information and time-shifted content from the main ABC channel.

Related links

Official:
http://www.abc.net.au - ABC site

Other:
http://friendsoftheabc.org - Friends of the ABC