ABC and SBS: landmarks

Landmarks

This chronology is indicative only. It covers -

• the Commission (1928)
• a more Australian broadcaster? (1942)
• television (1953)
• radio developments (1975)
• ABC becomes a corporation (1983)
• SBS established (1991)

Context is provided by the broader communications and media timeline on this site.

The Commission

1928 National Broadcasting Service established within Postmaster-General's Department and funded from receiver licence fees

1932 Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) established by the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act, replacing earlier service. Network consists of 1 2FC and 2BL Sydney, 3AR and 3LO Melbourne, 4QG Brisbane, 5CL Adelaide, 6WF Perth, 7ZL Hobart, 2NC Newcastle, 2CO Corowa, 4RK Rockhampton and 5CK Crystal Brook

1934 ABC hires first journalist

1936 first Federal News Editor appointed with establishment of national news service

1939 Canberra correspondent begins nightly review of Parliament proceedings

1939 launch of ABC Weekly

1939 ABC subscribes to cable news service and gains right to re-broadcast all BBC News Bulletins

1940 first woman announcer appointed

1942 Kindergarten Of The Air inaugurated

A more Australian broadcaster?

1942 Australian Broadcasting Act

1946 amendments to Broadcasting Act increase ABC resources and require it to broadcast Parliament when in session

1947 ABC's independent national news service inaugurated

1948 amendments to Broadcasting Act result in direct funding by Commonwealth rather than from licence fees

1951 ABC Weekly ceases

Television

1953 Television Act establishes ABC as national television authority

1956 first ABC television broadcast in Sydney and Melbourne

1956 first ABC television broadcast in Brisbane

1956 first ABC television broadcast in Adelaide, Perth and Hobart

1971 ABC begins co-productions

1973 ABC begins colour broadcasts

1974 first ABC shop opened

Radio developments

1975 first ABC 24 hours a day rock station

1975 2EA and 3EA multilingual radio stations launched as experiment to promote health insurance initiative

1976 first ABC-FM Stereo radio broadcasts

1976 24 Hours magazine launched

1978 Special Broadcasting Service formally established, assuming responsibility for 2EA and 3EA

The Corporation

1980 SBS television begins broadcasting

1983 Australian Broadcasting Corporation established by Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983

1983 teletext service for ABC-TV in Sydney and Melbourne

1985 ABC Radio 1 network renamed Metropolitan network, Radio 2 renamed Radio National

1985 new Concert Music Department established as part of greater autonomy for ABC orchestras

1987 second Regional Radio Network launched

1988 Parliamentary Broadcasting Network launched

1989 ABC's Triple J radio network launched

The SBS

1991 Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991

1994 SBS Independent (SBSI) created as film/television production house