ABC TV’s Schedule for it’s 90th birthday celebrations

The ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and is inviting all Australians to join in the celebration, with community events and special programming planned across television, radio, online, and social platforms.

The celebrations will last throughout 2022, with the main event being a live 90-minute television special to be broadcast on Thursday 30 June 2022 – nearly 90 years to the day that Prime Minister Joseph Lyons launched the Australian Broadcasting Commission, as it was then known.

Since then, the ABC has grown from 12 radio stations to a multi-media organisation broadcasting from more than 66 capital city and regional locations, as well as 11 international bureaux around the world.

Announcing the ABC’s 90^th 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.”

ABC Chair, Ita Buttrose, said the organisation’s 90^th 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.  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.”

Ms Buttrose will present this year’s Andrew Olle Media Lecture in Sydney on Friday 17 June.

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.

ABC 90 program highlights

April

• Retro Focus series: A daily dive into the ABC Archives uncovering some of the nation’s most interesting stories from the past.
• ABC iview is celebrating with a collection of programs and series from the past in ABC90: Connecting Australia.
• ABC Classic 90 for 90, presented by Damien Beaumont on the ABC listen app.  90 concerts in 90 days.
• ABC International’s Pacific Collection – a selection of photographic, audio and video content from the ABC archives
• Landline’s monthly ABC 90 themed segments The Things that made Australia, presented by Tim Lee.

• Share Your ABC Story across ABC Radio.  ABC moments from the audience.
• Anzac Day documentaries ‘The Many Days of Anzac’ – looking at the role ABC has played, connecting veterans and telling their stories.

May

• National Volunteering Week.  Volunteer 90 mins to support your community.
• Your Australian Story.  Tell us the stories we have missed.  Tell us your Australian story.

June

• Gardening Australia themed segment ‘Gardening styles through the decades.  What was fashionable then and now.’
• Compass special ‘The Changing face of Religion’ presented by Geraldine Doogue.
• The ABC of… An interview show in which famous Australians respond to archive footage of themselves.
• Andrew Olle Media Lecture, presented by ABC Chair, Ita Buttrose, marking the ABC’s 90^th year (Friday 17 June).
• BTN Tik Tok specials.
• ABC Celebrate!  – a live TV special on Thursday 30 June, marking ABC’s official birthday the following day – Friday 1 July.

July

• Looking Black  – a NAIDOC Week special.

Australian TV Highlights

Celeste Barber Joins the Cast of Australian Comedy “Colin From Accounts”

Paramount+ Australia May 2024 Highlights; Elsbeth, The X-Files & More

Hayu May 2024 Highlights; Below Deck Season 11, The Valley & More

Netflix Highlights May 2024; Bridgerton: Season 3, Part 1, Unfrosted & More

SBS On Demand May 2024 Highlights; This Town, Swedish Week & More

Prime Video 2024 Highlights; Clarkson’s Farm, Outer Ranger & More

Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover, 28 April 2024, SBS Viceland

After the Party Australian Premiere, 28 April 2024, ABC TV

News Highlights

Featured Episodes

The Masked Singer: Season 5 Episode 7 (ITV1 Saturday 10 February 2024)

The Weakest Link: News and Current Affairs Special (BBC One Saturday 10 February 2024)

Match of the Day: 10/02/2024 (BBC One Saturday 10 February 2024)

Gladiators: Episode 5 (BBC One Saturday 10 February 2024)

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show: AJ Odudu, Zara Larsson (BBC One Saturday 10 February 2024)

Casualty: A History of Violence: Willing and Able (BBC One Saturday 10 February 2024)