Australian Broadcast Radio

Early Days: Government Control and Amateur Experimentation (1905-1923)
Australia, freshly federated in 1901, quickly brought wireless telegraphy under federal control with the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1905. This responsibility remains with the government to this day. The same year saw the construction of Australia's first two-way wireless telegraphy station, built by Marconi in Victoria.
Marconi held near-monopoly power globally, with companies in Europe, the USA (later RCA), and Australia. In 1913, Marconi and its main competitor, Telefunken, merged to form Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. (AWA).
World War I (1914-1918) brought global wireless telegraphy under government control for security reasons. This period also saw advancements in technology, paving the way for voice communication (radio telephony) through the vacuum tube developed by de Forest and Armstrong in the USA. By 1919, David Sarnoff of the Marconi Company in the USA envisioned radio as a household utility, broadcasting entertainment and information to many rather than just facilitating point-to-point communication. Within a few years, hundreds of amateur broadcasters in Australia, including 900 users, embraced this new medium, often transmitting recordings and talks.
The Sealed Set Scheme and its Demise (1923-1924)
The Australian radio manufacturing industry, led by AWA's George Fisk, lobbied the government for radio broadcasting. In 1923, a conference led to the "sealed set" regulations, where licensed stations could sell preset radios to "listeners-in." However, this subscription-only model, allowing access to only one station, proved unpopular. With only 1,400 licenses sold in six months, listeners easily bypassed restrictions by building or modifying sets to receive multiple stations. Public outcry led to the scheme's reversal in late 1924, and American set imports were permitted.
A and B Licenses: A Two-Tier System Emerges (1924-1932)
Recognizing the failed sealed set scheme, the industry proposed a two-tier system. "A" class stations, primarily funded by listener fees, would serve national interests. "B" class stations, commercially driven and allowed to run advertising, would cater to local needs. The government adopted this compromise in 1924, blending the British non-commercial model with the American free-market approach. The first "B" class station was 2BE in November 1924, while 2UE, launched on Australia Day 1925, is the oldest surviving commercial station.
Following Britain's nationalization of radio in 1926, Australia conducted a Royal Commission, ultimately encouraging "A" class stations to merge for efficiency and quality.
The Australian Broadcasting Company and the Golden Age (1929-1940)
In 1929, the government nationalized transmission facilities and entrusted programming to the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), a consortium of entertainment interests. In 1932, the ABC Act formally established the ABC, marking the finalization of the two-tier system. The national broadcaster, ABC, had 12 stations, and the commercial sector had 43 stations. Interestingly, the ABC was initially allowed to broadcast advertisements, but this was ultimately dropped from the final bill. Initially, the ABC was funded by radio listener's license fees, which were eventually abolished in the 1970s. Today, ABC funding comes from federal government appropriation. It's worth noting that Australia was a leader in the use of shortwave broadcasting to transmit overseas.
The ABC then controlled twelve stations: 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.
The Golden Years of Radio
By the early 1940s, Australian radio broadcasting had established itself with roughly 130 commercial stations and an equivalent number under the national broadcaster, the ABC. The ABC served the nation with news, education, parliamentary coverage, and cultural programming, including five full orchestras. In contrast, local commercial stations catered to specific communities with responsive, community-oriented content.
The 1940s and 1950s were widely considered the "Golden Age" of radio, with widespread listenership and diverse programming. This period saw the emergence of iconic radio personalities, captivating serials, and live broadcasts that brought communities together. However, technological advancements were poised to usher in a new era of media consumption.
Television Arrives: A New Chapter in Entertainment (1956)
On September 16, 1956, the Australian television landscape was forever altered with the launch of Nine Network's TCN-9 Sydney. Advertising executive Bruce Gyngell's now-famous words, "Good evening, and welcome to television," marked the beginning of a revolution. Initially broadcasting in black and white, television quickly captured the public's imagination, offering a dynamic visual experience far exceeding radio’s capability.
The rapid growth of television presented both challenges and opportunities for radio. While some feared its demise, radio adapted and evolved. Stations focused on specialized programming, news updates, and live sports coverage, finding their niche alongside the new dominant medium. The introduction of colour television in 1975 further solidified television's place in Australian homes, but radio remained a vital source of information and entertainment.
The Quest for FM: Diversifying the Radio Landscape (1948-Present)
While television became the primary entertainment platform, the quest for high-fidelity radio continued. Experimental FM broadcasts began in 1948, offering superior sound quality compared to AM signals. However, the initial allocation of the VHF band for television in 1961 temporarily halted FM development.
Discontentment with the limited reach of FM sparked a movement for radio diversity. Dissatisfaction with the lack of high-quality music options, the desire for educational stations, and the growing demands of ethnic communities fueled the call for change. Additionally, politically active groups advocated for a more open media landscape, pushing for greater access to the airwaves.
By 1971, the Australian Broadcasting Control Board revisited the FM question. While recommending its introduction, they suggested the less-used UHF band. However, the Whitlam Labor government, elected in 1972, embraced a broader vision. Recognizing the potential of FM for public broadcasting, they initially restricted access from commercial stations. 2MBS and 3MBS, dedicated to fine music, became the first FM stations in Australia in 1975, marking the birth of the public/community sector.
Despite initial restrictions, common sense prevailed, and FM ultimately adopted the international VHF band. The ABC joined the FM scene in 1976 with ABC-FM in Adelaide, and the gradual removal of television channels from the VHF band continues to make way for full FM implementation.
Australian Radio Landscape: From Public Broadcasting to the Digital Age
The Rise of Public Broadcasting (1972-Present)
The story of Australian radio doesn't end with FM's emergence. In fact, the 1970s saw another significant development: the birth of public broadcasting. While 5UV Adelaide predates MBS stations as the first public station (airing in 1972), the sector truly flourished under the Whitlam government's vision.
Public broadcasting stands apart for its community involvement: both in management and programming. These stations cater to specific geographic areas or special interests (ethnic, educational, fine music, etc.), ensuring diverse voices reach the airwaves. They operate as non-profit, community-owned entities, relying primarily on listener donations and limited advertising.
From a mere 12 stations in 1975, public broadcasting has grown exponentially, approaching 140 stations by 1994, rivaling the size of the other two sectors.
Special Broadcasting Service (SBS): A Voice for Ethnic Communities
Ethnic communities played a crucial role in pushing for wider access to the airwaves, contributing significantly to the establishment of community radio. Notably, five full-time ethnic community stations alongside numerous others with dedicated ethnic programming showcase the richness of diversity.
However, the path wasn't smooth. The ABC's "access" station 3ZZ in Melbourne (1975) initially faced tensions with ethnic communities before becoming a de facto ethnic broadcasting space. Meanwhile, the government established experimental stations 2EA/3EA to inform ethnic communities about Medicare, ultimately leading to the creation of SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) in 1976. SBS went on to establish television, further amplifying diverse voices.
Commercial FM: A Profitable Entry
Realizing their initial misstep, commercial radio sectors pushed for FM access in the 1980s. Instead of allowing simulcasting on AM and FM, the government offered limited FM licenses, creating new players and igniting competition. These "licenses to print money" quickly became profitable, leading to discontent among existing AM stations.
By the late 1980s, the industry underwent significant changes. A few AM stations were allowed to convert to FM, triggering bidding wars that had lasting economic implications. This period also saw consolidation, with major networks like Austereo and MMM emerging.
A New Act and Its Impact (1992)
The 1990s ushered in economic rationalism, valuing the broadcast spectrum through auctions and rethinking the Broadcasting & Television Act. The resulting Broadcasting Services Act of 1992 emphasized deregulation and free market forces, diminishing the community service focus of earlier legislation. Australian music quotas were dropped, and industry codes replaced many broadcasting standards.
A significant change was the introduction of six new license classes, including subscription and narrowcasting options. This aimed to embrace technological advancements and offer services beyond traditional modes of delivery.
The Australian Broadcasting Authority was established to handle planning and regulation, overseeing self-regulation within the industry, and managing new frequency allocations.
Digital Radio: Towards a New Era (1999-Present)
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) testing began in Sydney and Melbourne as early as 1999. By 2005, a plan for digital radio rollout using the Eureka 147 system was adopted. Major networks launched DAB+ services in 2009, followed by ABC and SBS.
This shift towards digital signals reflects the ever-evolving landscape of Australian radio. From its humble beginnings to the diverse public and community sectors, and now embracing digital advancements, Australian radio continues to be a vital source of information, entertainment, and community connection.