ABC (Australia)
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| Type | Statutory corporation |
|---|---|
| Availability | Worldwide |
| Founded | 23 June 1929 |
| Headquarters | ABC Ultimo Centre 700 Harris Street Ultimo 2007, Sydney |
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Broadcast area
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Australia |
| Owner | Government of Australia |
|
Key people
|
James Spigelman AC, QC (Chairman) Michelle Guthrie (Managing director) |
| Established | 1 July 1932 |
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Launch date
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23 November 1923 (radio) 5 November 1956 (television) |
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Former names
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Australian Broadcasting Company (1929–1932) Australian Broadcasting Commission (1932–1983) |
| Channel 2, 21, 22, 23, 24 | |
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Television
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ABC, ABC2, ABC ME, ABC Kids, ABC News 24 |
| Callsigns | ABC |
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Callsign meaning
|
Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
|
Official website
|
abc |
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's state-owned and funded national public broadcaster. The ABC plays a leading role in the history of broadcasting in Australia. With a total annual budget of A$1.22 billion, the corporation provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as overseas through the Australia Network and Radio Australia.
Founded in 1929 as the Australian Broadcasting Company, it was subsequently made a state-owned corporation on 1 July 1932 as the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 changed the name of the organisation to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, effective 1 July 1983. Although funded and owned by the government, the ABC remains editorially independent as ensured through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983.
The ABC is sometimes informally referred to as "Aunty" originally in imitation of the British Broadcasting Corporation's nickname.
The first public radio station in Australia opened in Sydney on 23 November 1923 under the call sign 2SB with other stations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart following. A licensing scheme, administered by the Postmaster-General's Department, was soon established allowing certain stations government funding, albeit with restrictions placed on their advertising content.
Following a 1927 royal commission inquiry into radio licensing issues, the government established the National Broadcasting Service which subsequently took over a number of the larger funded stations. It also nationalised the Australian Broadcasting Company which had been created by entertainment interests to supply programs to various radio stations. On 1 July 1932, the Australian Broadcasting Commission was established, taking over the operations of the National Broadcasting Service and eventually establishing offices in each of Australia's capital cities.
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