Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Overview

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's national public broadcaster, operating radio, television and online services free of advertising. Its television arm includes five free-to-air channels, and its radio operations include 45 regional and eight metropolitan local stations along with national networks Radio National, ABC Classic, ABC NewsRadio and Triple J.

History

The ABC traces to the private Australian Broadcasting Company, established in 1924 to supply programming for licensed radio stations. On July 1, 1932, the Australian Broadcasting Commission was established under the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act 1932, taking over the company and the National Broadcasting Service; the launch was announced by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. The commission, modeled on the BBC, was funded initially by listener license fees, which were abolished in 1973 in favor of direct government grants. National television broadcasting began in November 1956. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 renamed the organization from Commission to Corporation, effective July 1, 1983. In November 2024, ABC Chair Kim Williams said a cumulative $150 million funding cut over the prior decade had taken a toll on programming; the Australian government responded in December 2024 with funding increases and legislated five-year funding terms starting July 2023. On March 25, 2026, ABC staff held a 24-hour strike over a pay dispute after being offered a below-inflation raise.

Key personnel

Chair: Kim Williams
Managing Director: Hugh Marks

Location and contact info

Address
ABC Ultimo Centre, Sydney, New South Wales
Website
https://www.abc.net.au