Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC, turns 90 this year and is inviting all Australians to celebrate the milestone, with community events and special programming planned across television, radio, online and social platforms.
The celebrations will run across much of 2022 with the key event, a live 90-minute television special, to be broadcast on Thursday 30 June 2022 – almost 90 years to the day that the Australian Broadcasting Commission, as the ABC was then called, first went to air, launched by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
Since that time, the ABC has grown from 12 radio stations into a multi-media organisation, broadcasting from more than 66 capital city and regional locations, and around the world from 11 international bureaux.
Announcing the ABC’s 90th celebration plans, Managing Director David Anderson said the anniversary was an opportunity for all Australians to share in the ABC’s rich history.
“The ABC has been part of everyday life in Australia since 1932. It has played a big part in documenting our country’s development and achievements over nine decades, and has grown and adapted to changing times, in step with the nation,” he said.
“In 2022 we are as relevant and connected to Australian life as we ever have been. We are Australia’s most trusted media organisation, and we reach close to 70 per cent of the population each week through our metropolitan and regional radio networks, our four national radio networks, our four digital television channels, seven digital-only radio channels, our digital sites, social media sites and our on-demand services ABC iview and the ABC listen app,” said Mr Anderson.
ABC Chair, Ita Buttrose, said the organisation’s 90th celebrations were about giving back to Australians. “The ABC has always reflected Australian life. It is at its very best when it is celebrates the achievements of all Australians and the things that make this country such a special place in what is the world’s oldest continuous culture,” she said.
“We’re proud of our past and are optimistic about our future, and in the coming months we invite people to join in our celebrations,” said Ms Buttrose.
An ensemble cast of ABC’s favourite presenters will host ABC 90 Celebrate! – a live 90-minute television event starting at 8.00pm on Thursday 30 June 2022.
It will be broadcast from the ABC’s Sydney studios and connect with ABC studios and presenters in the other capital cities and in regional locations across the country. There will be familiar faces from the past and present, some surprise guests and crosses to international locations.
Image: Craig Reucassel, Zan Rowe and Tony Armstrong to host ABC 90 Celebrate! – courtesy of ABC