ABC NewsRadio, the nation’s only live and continuous radio news network, today celebrates 30 years as a rolling news service. And it’s in its prime, with strong audiences reaching nearly 6% of the population.
“In a period of immense change, I think we can all be proud of a service that has withstood the test of time,” said Tanya Nolan, ABC Managing Editor, Audio News & Current Affairs.
“It’s become an essential service for many, bringing Australians trustworthy, timely and comprehensive news and analysis, as it happens.
“A huge thank you to the NewsRadio team for driving that success and for delivering for Australians news they can trust, each and every day.”
NewsRadio’s origins lie in the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act of 1946, which required the ABC to broadcast on radio the proceedings of the House of Representatives and the Senate, a statutory obligation we still have today.
In 1988, the ABC moved live parliamentary broadcasting from Local Radio onto a new station dedicated to broadcasting live sessions of both houses of Federal Parliament, called the Parliamentary Broadcasting Network.
PBN’s remit was expanded in 1994, with the ABC taking advantage of the network’s national reach to launch a rolling news service on the days when parliament was not sitting. It became PNN, the Parliamentary and News Network.
ABC NewsRadio, as we now know it, was born.
Initially only available in the nation’s major cities, its coverage quickly grew to take in regional centres and remote areas. Today, NewsRadio has a network of 84 AM/FM transmitters, reaching an estimated 97.04% of Australians.
You can also hear NewsRadio’s continuous news service every day online via the ABC Listen website and ABC Listen app and on digital radio (DAB+).
Its TV audio channel on TV has further extended its reach to another 420 transmitters around the country.
Even in the most remote corners of the country, you can hear NewsRadio via the direct-to-home satellite service (VAST).
ABC NewsRadio’s Thomas Oriti spoke with ABC Director, News Justin Stevens about the legacy of the station and what’s in store for its future. Listen here.