ABC Radio & Television

ABC Radio and ABC Television.


I chose these images at random because they seemed to fit the time scale of the ABC better than any of the more modern ones I have.
Particularly the devastating experience of having to shoot starving stock during droughts that plague our country.

Australian Broadcasting Commission, this body is funded by the Australian
Government and as such is free to air and free of commercial content, the other
radio stations, AM and FM, and other Television Networks all rely on advertising
revenue to stay afloat.

ABC Television had its 50^th birthday recently and ABC Radio had its 75^th birthday on July 8^th here in Queensland, (Ed note; commercial Television was launched in Melbourne and Sydney early in 1956 just in time for the Melbourne Olympics.)

England has its BBC which is also government funded, unlike the American ABC
which is another commercial network.

The history of ABC Radio in particular has encompassed everything that our nation has stood for over the last 75 years, with coverage of sporting events of every description, some really long running serials (soaps) like “The Lawson’s” and “Blue Hills”, Gardening, Talk-back, some ground breaking Comedy programs, and lots of programming that the commercial stations don’t want anything to do with.

The ABC is “sort of affectionately” known as “Auntie” much in the manner of an elderly spinster aunt is thought to be a tad old fashioned and prim.

There is almost a pride in stating that you only watch ABC television, and while its true there have been some excellent programs, there has also been an inordinate amount of crap (Can’t Remember Anything Positive) as well.

But it can be a bit irritating to be told , in that holier than thee tone, that we only watch/listen to the ABC by people who are trying desperately to appear as intellectuals.

Having said that, there are good programs on both ABC TV and Radio, it’s the snob factor that gets irritating.

“Happy Birthday’s Auntie.”