ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide radio network with many various programs, involving news and current affairs, arts, music, society, science, drama, comedy. Some programs are mirrored on Radio Australia , Australia's shortwave service.

Radio National as it is known today has had a long history. The callsign 2FC (Farmers Company) was first broadcast in 1927, the Australian Broadcasting Commission took over the frequency in 1937. In 1985 ABC renamed Radio 2 to Radio National. Its current callsign (in New South Wales) is 2RN.

Typical programs

News

• The World Today: midday news and current affairs
• AM/PM: current national affairs
• Asia Pacific: current regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region, mirrored on Radio Australia

News and analysis

• Late Night Live: (hosted by Phillip Adams)
• Background Briefing - Australia's agenda-setting, current affairs radio documentary program broadcast Sunday at 0910 and Tuesday 1910.
• The National Interest: regional analysis
• The Reports heard 8:30am and 8pm Monday to Friday. The Health Report, The Law Report, The Religion Report, The Media Report and The Sports Factor.
• Counterpoint - ...because all great minds don't think the same... views from the right.
• Life Matters - weekdays at 9am. talks with the main people behind our social policies – from workplace reform to education, health, family relationships, and social change.

Talkback

• Australia Talks Back: (hosted by Sandy McCutcheon)

Arts and music

• Airplay: radio plays
• Poetica: poetry featured and produced for radio
• Live on Stage: live concerts of music
• The Music Show: latest developments in music, featured music and interviews with performers/composers
• Sound Quality: latest new music in the genre of electronica and others
• The Planet: music from all around the world
• Radio Eye: Radio National's flagship documentary programme
• The Night Air - a new kind of radio program; an ever-changing, 90 minute composition of music, sounds, audio Cut-ups, ideas and stories.

Society

• The Spirit Of Things: features and explores all kinds of religions and spirituality
• All In The Mind: all matters about the mind and mental health

Science

• The Science Show: recent developments in the field of science
• The Buzz: recent developments computing and science relevant to daily life but this program was discontinued in 2005. It's presenter Richard Aedy now presents The Media Report.

See also

• List of Australian radio stations

External links

• Radio National website
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation