{{short description|Australian classical music radio station}} {{distinguish|text= the record label, ABC Classics}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox radio station | name = ABC Classic | logo = ABC Classic logo 2019.png | logo_size = 240px | country = Australia | frequency = FM: [https://www.radioheritage.com/ozrg/ Various]; DVB-T: Ch.{{nbsp}}27; DAB+; online | airdate = {{start date and age|1976|01|24|df=yes}} | format = Classical music | owner = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | network = ABC Radio | sister_stations = ABC Classic 2 | licensing_authority = Australian Communications and Media Authority | former_names = {{ubl|ABC-FM (1976–1994)|ABC Classic FM (1994–2018)}} | webcast = [https://www.abc.net.au/classic/listen-live/player/ Live stream] | website = {{URL|abc.net.au/classic}} }}
'''ABC Classic''', formerly '''ABC-FM''' (also '''ABC Fine Music'''), and then '''ABC Classic FM''', is an Australian classical music radio station available in Australia and internationally. Its website features classical music news, features and listening guides. ABC Classic also produces podcasts, live events and educational resources and has a record label. It is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
==History== ABC Classic was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music" (a play on the letters FM).<ref name=about/> It became known as ABC Classic FM in 1994,<ref>{{cite web | title=ABC History | website=About the ABC | url=https://about.abc.net.au/abc-history/#1990s | access-date=17 February 2021 | archive-date=16 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416091906/http://about.abc.net.au/abc-history/#1990s | url-status=live }}</ref> before adopting its current name in January 2019. It was the ABC's first experiment in FM broadcasting – which had become a necessity in Australia as broadcasters ran out of AM frequencies on which to transmit.<ref name="buywell Our Favourites">{{cite web |url=http://www.buywell.com/booklets/4769104.pdf |title="Our Favourites" Celebrating 30 years of ABC Classic FM |publisher=buywell.com |access-date=21 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802233336/http://www.buywell.com/booklets/4769104.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was before most commercial stations had started using FM, and the ABC was first to use satellite transmissions. The creation of ABC Classic FM was inspired partly by the example of BBC Radio 3, and its focus was on fine music and the arts.<ref name=az/>
ABC Classic FM's studios were established at the ABC studios in Collinswood, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. The ABC's decision to establish ABC Classic FM in Adelaide was significant because most of the ABC's radio and television national program original infrastructure was and is located in Sydney. However, staffing has been progressively cut over the years, from the starting base of 60 down to just five by 2015, a particularly savage round of cuts which included the loss of popular presenter Julia Lester when her job moved to the Sydney studios.<ref name=az/>
=== 2019 rebrand === On 24 November 2018, the ABC announced that ABC Classic FM would undergo a major rebrand in 2019, and change its name to ABC Classic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.com.au/abc-classic-fm-rebrands-as-abc-classic-with-new-events-and-lineup-changes/|title=ABC Classic FM rebrands as 'ABC Classic' with new events and lineup changes|publisher=Radio Today|author=Zanda Wilson|date=24 October 2018|access-date=24 October 2018|archive-date=24 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112955/http://radiotoday.com.au/abc-classic-fm-rebrands-as-abc-classic-with-new-events-and-lineup-changes/|url-status=live}}</ref> Their stated purpose for the rebrand was to reflect the "diverse ways that Australians now experience our programs, playlists and articles".<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/classic/about|website=ABC Classic|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Programming==
ABC Classic broadcasts classical music, operas, recitals and live concerts. Former "Classic Breakfast" producer Greg Keane has been critical of changes that were made to programming methods in 2016. He says that the use of G-Selector software has led to a "loss of thoughtful, varied and original programming devised by experienced producers".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Veteran broadcaster Greg Keane speaks out about Classic FM|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/veteran-broadcaster-greg-keane-speaks-out-about-classic-fm/|access-date=2020-11-27|website=Limelight|language=en-AU}}</ref> Around half of the music played is performed by Australian musicians, and the ABC Young Performers Awards are a way of supporting a younger generation of musicians.<ref name=about/> In 2015, ABC Classic set a goal for 5% of composers featured on air to be women.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Content Targets Work: A Practical Example of Changing Behaviours and Processes in Programming Women Composers|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0040298219001165/type/journal_article|journal=Tempo|date=6 March 2020|issn=0040-2982|pages=38–48|volume=74|issue=292|doi=10.1017/S0040298219001165|language=en|first=Naomi|last=Johnson|first2=Matthew|last2=Dewey|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Live music is an important feature of the programming,<ref name=about>{{cite web | title=About | website=ABC Classic | url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/about/ | access-date=17 February 2021 | archive-date=6 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106062753/https://www.abc.net.au/classic/about/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and past concerts are available online afterwards.<ref>{{cite web | title=Listen Again - Live Music | website=ABC Classic | url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/live-music/classic-live/ | access-date=17 February 2021 | archive-date=6 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106062900/https://www.abc.net.au/classic/live-music/classic-live/ | url-status=live }}</ref> but has reduced over time owing to budget cuts.<ref name=az>{{cite web| title=Julia Lester leaves in 2015 lamenting gutting of ABC Classic FM and loss of its Adelaide radio base since 1976| website=AdelaideAZ| url=https://adelaideaz.com/articles/julie-lester-leaves-in-2015-lamenting-the-gutting-of-abc-classic-fm-and-loss-of-its-adelaide-radio-base-since-1976-start| access-date=17 February 2021| archive-date=19 August 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819150431/https://adelaideaz.com/articles/julie-lester-leaves-in-2015-lamenting-the-gutting-of-abc-classic-fm-and-loss-of-its-adelaide-radio-base-since-1976-start| url-status=live}}</ref>
===Events=== A number of special events are held throughout the year, including:<ref name=events/>
====Classic 100 Countdowns==== {{main|Classic 100 Countdowns}} Since 2001, ABC Classic FM has organised a number of ''Classic 100 Countdown'' surveys.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2011/09/04/3309473.htm |title=About Classic 100 |publisher=ABC Classic FM |date=4 September 2011 |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509150615/http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2011/09/04/3309473.htm |archive-date=9 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The results of each survey are decided by votes cast by the listeners of the radio station. The works are broadcast in reverse order of popularity over three days. The countdown culminates in the broadcast of a live concert featuring the most popular pieces and finishes with the number one listener choice. A feature of the countdown is that each piece is kept secret until just before its broadcast (including the pieces featured in the final concert).{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Classic 100 themes have included Love, Beethoven, Music in the Movies, Composers, and Dance.<ref name=events>{{cite web | title=Events | website=ABC Classic | url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/events/ | access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
====AusMusic Month==== Each November on ABC Classic is AusMusic Month, where Australian artists are heavily promoted. This includes more Australian composition broadcast every day; some free, limited-entry concerts around the country; all-Australian albums of the week; and many live Australian concerts.<ref>{{cite web | title=AusMusic Month | website=ABC Classic | url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/events/ausmusic-month/9197506 | access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
==== Women of Note ==== Coinciding with International Women's Day on the 8th March, the ABC Classic record label releases an album each year that they describe as an "annual celebration of Australia’s female composers".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Women of Note: Celebrating Australian Composers – Vol. 7|url=https://www.abc.net.au/abcmusic/women-of-note-celebrating-australian-composers-vol-7/104978540|website=ABC Music|date=2025-02-26|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 September 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902134039/https://www.abc.net.au/abcmusic/women-of-note-celebrating-australian-composers-vol-7/104978540|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sydney Con composers star on ABC Classic Women of Note album 5|url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/music/news-and-events/news/2023/03/06/sydney-con-composers-star-on-abc-classic-women-of-note-album-5.html|website=The University of Sydney|access-date=2025-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521005929/https://www.sydney.edu.au/music/news-and-events/news/2023/03/06/sydney-con-composers-star-on-abc-classic-women-of-note-album-5.html|archive-date=21 May 2025|language=en-US|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, the first album was released in CD format.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CD: Women of Note : A Century of Australian Composers. [2019] : Product : Australian Music Centre|url=https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/product/women-of-note-a-century-of-australian-composers|website=www.australianmusiccentre.com.au|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> In 2025, the seventh volume of ''Women of Note'' was released as a digital album.<ref name=":0" />
===News=== In common with all ABC Radio stations (other than Triple J, which operates its own service), it also carries news bulletins produced by ABC News. On 19 December 2005, in line with the policy applied at every ABC Radio network (except Triple J and Radio Australia), these news bulletins became state-based rather than national.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
== FM broadcast frequencies == ABC Classic is broadcast in stereo FM across Australia on over more than 30 frequencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABC Classic FM (Australia) |url=https://fmscan.org/net.php?r=f&m=s&itu=AUS&pxf=ABC+Classic+FM |access-date=4 November 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104010110/https://fmscan.org/net.php?r=f&m=s&itu=AUS&pxf=ABC+Classic+FM |url-status=live }}</ref> Broadcast frequencies of the major Australian capital cities are listed below.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search for known ABC frequencies & coverage |url=https://reception.abc.net.au/ |website=ABC.net}}</ref>
* 92.9 FM - Sydney, New South Wales * 93.9 FM - Hobart, Tasmania * 97.7 FM - Perth, Western Australia * 102.3 FM - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (alternative: 99.1 FM - Tuggeranong, ACT) * 103.9 FM - Adelaide, South Australia (alternative: 97.5 FM - Adelaide Foothills, SA) * 105.9 FM - Melbourne, Victoria * 106.1 FM - Brisbane, Queensland * 107.3 FM - Darwin, Northern Territory
== ABC Classic 2 ==
'''ABC Classic 2''', an internet radio station managed and programmed by ABC Classic staff,<ref name=ABCC2>{{citation|url=http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2014/06/05/4019596.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title=ABC Classic 2|date=5 June 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201074202/http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2014/06/05/4019596.htm|archivedate=1 February 2015}}</ref> is available through the ABC listen service.<ref>{{citation|url=https://radio.abc.net.au/help/online|title=Frequently Asked Questions: Playing ABC Radio}}</ref> It specialises in popular styles of classical music, performed exclusively by leading Australian orchestras, ensembles and soloists.<ref name="radioinfo">{{cite web | title=ABC Radio launches Classic 2|date=4 June 2014 | website=radioinfo | url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/abc-radio-launches-classic-2 | access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Welcome to ABC Classic 2 #simplyclassical | website=About the ABC | date=4 June 2014| url=http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/welcome-to-abc-classic-2-simplyclassical/ | access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> {{Citation needed span|No opera or vocal works are included in the playlist.|date=April 2026}} During daytime and evenings, Classic 2 typically broadcasts short excerpts from the classical repertoire, such as single movements from full symphonies.<ref>{{citation|url=http://abcclassic2.tumblr.com/FAQs| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001024736/http://abcclassic2.tumblr.com/FAQs|archivedate=1 October 2015|title=FAQs}}</ref> Longer works are broadcast overnight from midnight to 6 a.m., and Classic 2 programming is also broadcast as ABC Classic's overnight program.<ref name=ABCC2/> ABC Classic 2 began broadcasting on 1 June 2014, and was opened with Nigel Westlake's ''Penguin Ballet'' from his ''Antarctica Suite'', performed by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Timothy Kain.<ref name="radioinfo"/>
==''Limelight'' magazine== {{main|Limelight (magazine)}}
The monthly arts magazine ''Limelight'' was, under its former name ''ABC Radio 24 Hours'' (1976–2003), originally owned and published by the ABC. It is now independently owned and published, but continues a strong, albeit unofficial, affiliation with the ABC and with ABC Classic in particular.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
== See also == *Australian Broadcasting Corporation *Symphony Australia *BBC Radio 3
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.abc.net.au/classic/}} {{ABC Classic FM}} {{ABC Local Radio}} {{National radio networks in Australia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abc Classic Fm}} Category:APRA Award winners Category:Australian radio networks Category:Classical music radio stations in Australia Category:Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio stations Category:Public radio in Australia Category:Radio stations established in 1976 Category:1976 establishments in Australia