Australian Broadcasting Corporation

History

Early period

The ABC was established in 1932, following the failure of the previous two-tiered system of "A-class" and "B-class" class radio licences, set up in 1924. The twelve radio stations of the original "A-class" category were nationalised and combined, and the new national broadcaster (which was modelled on the BBC) was officially incpororated on 1 July 1932 as the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The new national broadcaster was initially permitted to carry advertising, but this was dropped from the legislation before it came into force. The ABC was funded in part by direct government grant, but it drew most of its revenue from listener licence fees.

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The radio spectrum was now divided between the ABC and the commercial sector, and this new two-tier system became the structural foundation for the industry, and was used as the model for the TV industry in the mid-50s. That arrangement would not change significantly for the next 40 years.

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The ABC orignally controlled twelve stations around the country: 2FC and 2BL in Sydney, 3AR and 3LO in Melbourne, 4QG in Brisbane, 5CL in Adelaide, 6WF in Perth, 7ZL in Hobart and the relay stations 2NC in Newcastle, 2CO at Corowa, 4RK in Rockhampton and 5CK at Crystal Brook.

Related Topics:
2FC - 2BL - Sydney - 3AR - 3LO - Melbourne - 4QG - Brisbane - 5CL - Adelaide - 6WF - Perth - 7ZL - Hobart - 2NC - Newcastle - 2CO - Corowa - 4RK - Rockhampton - 5CK - Crystal Brook

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Opening day programs on July 1 1932 included the first "Children's Session" with 'Bobby Bluegum', the first sports program, "Racing Notes" with W.A. Ferry calling the Randwick races, "British Wireless News" received by cable from London, weather, stock exchange and shipping news, the ABC Women's Association session (topics were 'commonsense housekeeping' and needlecraft), a talk on goldfish and their care, "Morning Devotions" and music.

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Over the next four years, these largely isolated stations were gradually brought together into a cohesive broadcasting organisation through regular program relays, and coordinated by a centralised bureacracy. During its first decades, the programming schedules included music, news and current affairs, sport, drama, children's programs, and school broadcasts. Because recording technology was still relatively primitive, all ABC programs are broadcast live until 1935, including music. For this purpose, the ABC established broadcasting orchestras in each state, and in some centres employed choruses and dance bands.

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In 1934 famed conductor Sir Berndard Heinze was appointed part-time musical adviser to the ABC and in 1937 the network was further expanded with the pruchase of 4BC in Brisbane. In 1939 the ABC began publishing the ABC Weekly.

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