ABC Radio National, more commonly known asRadio National or simplyRN, is anAustralian nationwidepublic service radio network run by theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). From 1947 until 1985, the network was known asABC Radio 2.
From 1928, the National Broadcasting Service, as part of the federalPostmaster-General's Department, gradually took over responsibility for all the existing stations that were sponsored by public licence fees ("A" Class licences). The outsourcedAustralian 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 withSydney 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 theBBC National Programme.[3] The origins of the other stations in the network were:
3ARMelbourne – 26 January 1924 "Associated Radio Company of Australia", organised by Esmond Laurence Kiernan and others.[4][5]
5CLAdelaide – 20 November 1924 "Central Broadcasters Ltd".
The first transmitters for 2FC, 5CL and 4QG were made byAWA 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]: 66
The radio transmitters for 3AR and 2FC were upgraded to 10 kW in a contract let in 1938 toSTC. 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]: 68
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 cooledtriodes running inclass C amplifier at 90% efficiency. These were driven by a class B push-pull modulator with the same type of valves.[6]: 76
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".[7]
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).[citation needed] In 1985, the ABC renamed "Radio 2" as "Radio National".[8][3]
Since 1990, all Radio National stations have had the same callsign, "RN".[8]
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 2008, controversial programming changes once more raised the issue of funding cuts to the public broadcaster.[10][11][12][13] PresenterStephen Crittenden leaked confidential programming changes in an unscheduled live broadcast before the start of his show, criticising his superiors.[14] He was suspended for his outburst,[15] and his unscripted comments were cut from Radio National's podcast and transcript of the program. Religious commentatorPaul Collins oncrikey.com subsequently echoed Crittenden's fears.[16] Crittenden was reinstated in 2009 as a reporter onBackground Briefing, after a settlement was reached.[17] 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.[18]
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.[citation needed]
In 2012 a new Religion and Ethics report was launched, hosted byAndrew West. The Media Report was also relaunched, hosted by broadcaster and former Life Matters hostRichard Aedy.[19] The Media Report was, however, cancelled again in 2015.[20]
In late 2016, the new head of the ABCMichelle 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.[21][22][23]
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.[24]
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 previousRadio National Breakfast hostFran Kelly with a newnews magazine programme at 6p.m. weeknights called theRadio National Hour[25][26] and a revampedRadio National Breakfast, broadcast each weekday from the earlier time of 5:30a.m. withSally Sara as host.
The newBreakfast 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 modelBBC Radio 4'sToday 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.[27][28]
As part of the change to the schedule, some long-running programmes were cancelled. Afternoon news magazine programmeRN Drive was also axed in favour of Kelly'sRadio National Hour,[29] with host Andy Park now hosting the daily afternoon news and current affair showThe World Today, previously hosted by Sara.[30]
Economics programmeThe Money, hosted by Richard Aedy, was cancelled and replaced by new programmeThe Economy, Stupid[31] hosted by Peter Martin. Lifestyle and design programmeBlueprint for Living was discontinued, with hostJonathan Green now hosting a new weekly food programme,Every Bite.[32][33]
Rural affairs news magazine programmeAustralia 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 onABC Local Radio stations in regional areas outside capital cities.[34]
Other changes to the Radio National schedule in 2025 included:[35][36][4]
ThePM programme is returning to 5p.m. weekdays, made possible the cancellationRN Drive which previously aired from 4p.m. to 5:30p.m. weekdays.
AfterPM, the specialist programmes that previously aired at 6p.m. are returning to their previous 5.30p.m. slot, includingGlobal Roaming on Mondays,Law Report on Tuesdays,Religion and Ethics Report on Wednesdays, new programsThe Economy, Stupid on Thursdays andMediaLand on Fridays. Previous Friday programmeDownload this Show, with new hostRae Johnston (replacingMarc Fennell), now first airs at 8p.m. each Friday night.
Visual arts programmeThe Art Show (hosted byDaniel Browning) is halved to 30 minutes on Wednesdays at 10a.m. This is followed by new weekly arts news programmeArts in 30 (also hosted by Browning) at 10:30a.m.
A new programme focused on scientific researchLab Notes to be hosted by Belinda Smith[37]
TGIF, previously hosted byRichard Glover (and only airing onABC Radio Sydney each Friday at 5p.m.), is now also airing on Radio National (on delay) on Friday evenings at 7p.m. with new hostCharlie Pickering now broadcasting from Melbourne. The show now also airs onABC Radio Melbourne live at the same time as Sydney.[38][39][40][41]
Hilary Harper (Mondays to Wednesday) andCassie 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.[42][43]
Ben Latimer, the ABC's Director of Audio told Australian marketing and media industry news websiteMumbrella 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."[44]
Radio National broadcasts national programming in subjects that include news andcurrent affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy. Some programs are relayed onRadio Australia, the ABC's international broadcasting service which was transmitted onshortwave until January 2017, as well as 24-hour FM stations, local relay stations and live satellite.[46]
All radio programs are available for livestreaming over the Internet, and most (excluding drama, poetry and music) as audio-on-demand, or for download asMP3s for at least four weeks after broadcast. Some programs are available asMP3s going back to 2005, when Radio National commenced podcasting.[citation needed]
The Minefield (April 2015–present), hosted byWaleed Aly and Scott Stephens, which discusses ethical dilemmas[67][68]
The Art Show, formerlyThe Art Hub (December 2017–),[69] hosted byEd Ayres until mid-January 2020, when it was taken over byNamila Benson.[70] Around July 2021Daniel Browning became the main presenter.[71]
^"Advertising".Sydney Morning Herald. No. 26, 836. New South Wales, Australia. 9 January 1924. p. 10. Retrieved21 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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