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THE MARKET
The ABC is Australia’s only
independent, national, commer-
cial-free broadcaster. One of
Australia’s most valued and
trusted brands, theABC operates
across a range of platforms,
ensuring that as many people as
possible are able to access ABC
content and services, nationally
and internationally.
ACHIEVEMENTS
ABCTelevision has always been
characterised by innovative and
quality programming, with a rich
mix of locally produced and overseas material, and
a continued emphasis on Australian content.
ABC Radio reaches Australians through four
national radio networks (Radio National, ABC
ClassicFM, triple j and ABCNewsRadio), 3 internet
radio stations (dig, Dig Jazz and Dig Country);
and the biggest local radio network in the country
- 60 local radio stations across the nation, from
Broome toHobart, Cairns toAlbany, Darwin toPort
Lincoln.
ABC News provides the most comprehensive
news and current affairs coverage of anyAustralian
media organisation.More than24,000hours of news
and current affairs are broadcast annually across
radio, television and online.
ABC Innovation drives strategic innovation and
development in content creation, audience
connection and new platform distribution in
partnership with other divisions, and leads the
overall growth and success of . ABC
Online consistently rates as one of the fifteen most
popular sites inAustralia. In 2006/07ABC Online
had an average monthly unique audience of 2.1
million, representing an average of 18.43 per cent
of the active Australian Internet population.
ABCCommercial creates, licenses, markets and
retails quality consumer products which reflect and
extend the scope of ABC programs and services.
ABC Commercial also operates 42 ABC Shops,
including the ABC shop online and 103 ABC
Centres, the net revenue from which goes directly
into furtherABCprogramming initiatives.
HISTORY
The ABC was inaugurated in 1932 by then Prime
Minister Joseph Lyons. Twelve radio stations were
brought together under the banner of theAustralian
Broadcasting Commission.
Until 1935 all programswent to air live.Over half
the early programsweremusic and in 1936 theABC
began establishing studio broadcasting orchestras
in all States. These provided the foundation for the
state symphony orchestras which in the late 1990s
progressively became independent subsidiary
companies of theABC.
In1947 theABCestablished its own independent
news service and in 1950 Radio Australia finally
came under full control of the ABC. In 1956ABC
television began transmission in Sydney and
Melbourne. In 1965 theABC logo came into use, in
1974 the first ABC shop opened and in 1983 the
ABC became a Corporation. From 1985 ABC
Television could transmit programs nationally via
the Aussat satellite and in 1995 the ABC’s New
Media and Digital Services division was
established. In 2007, a new Innovation Division
was created as an incubator for digital development
across the ABC.
THE PRODUCT
ABC TV programs continue to win viewer and
critical acclaim with the highest ever free-to-air
audience share and programs of all genres winning
major peer-voted national and international awards.
Free to air commercial channels vie to acquire
concepts, programs and personalities pioneered
byABCTV.
Stories broken by programs
such as Four Corners,
Australian Story and Andrew
Denton’s Enough Rope regularly
receive major press exposure.
Characters from some ABC TV
programs such as Mother and
Son, SeaChange and Bananas
in Pyjamas have become
Australian icons.
The ABC’s innovative
broadband service was
established in 2001 and enables
audiences to interact with high
quality rich media content on
demand. The ABC Broadband
service offers several programs in a number of
genres includingNews, Kids, cooking, comedy and
music.
ABC Radio National plays a unique role in the
Australian radiomarket, with specialist information
programs that touch on every aspect of life
including health, politics, religion, science and the
arts — giving a breadth of ideas and analysis. A
number of the network’s programs including The
Science Show and Late Night Live have enjoyed
longevity, maintaining audience interest over many
years.
ABC Classic FM, Australia’s only national
classical music station offers an eclectic mix of
music andmusic information. The network plays a
key role in fostering the work of Australian
composers and performers as well as bringing
Australians concert performances from around the
world.
The ABC’s youth network triple j targets an
audience of 18-24 year olds. The network gives
significant support to newAustralian music with a
playlist that is more than 40 per centAustralian. Its
programs explore issues of interest and concern to
young Australians.
ABC NewsRadio provides a continuous news
and information service and can be heard in all
capital cities plus Northern Tasmania, Newcastle,
the Gold Coast and Gosford. When Federal
Parliament is in session NewsRadio crosses to
Canberra for live coverage while the regular
programming continues to be streamed online.
ABC Local Radio provides an outlet for local
information, news and views through a network of
ninemetropolitan and 60 regional stations. It offers
amix of news, current affairs, talkback, sport music
and rural matters.
Dig, the ABC’s internet radio station offers a
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