ABC Classic
ABC Classic, formerly ABC-FM, 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.
History
ABC Classic was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music". It became known as ABC Classic FM in 1994, 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. 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.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.
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. Their stated purpose for the rebrand was to reflect the "diverse ways that Australians now experience our programs, playlists and articles."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". 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. In 2015, ABC Classic set a goal for 5% of composers featured on air to be women.Live music is an important feature of the programming, and past concerts are available online afterwards. but has reduced over time owing to budget cuts.
Events
A number of special events are held throughout the year, including:Classic 100 Countdowns
Since 2001, ABC Classic FM has organised a number of Classic 100 Countdown surveys. 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.Classic 100 themes have included Love, Beethoven, Music in the Movies, Composers, and Dance.
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.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". In 2019, the first album was released in CD format. In 2025, the seventh volume of Women of Note was released as a digital album.News
In common with all ABC Radio stations, it also carries news bulletins produced by ABC News. On 19 December 2005, in line with the policy applied at every ABC Radio network, these news bulletins became state-based rather than national.FM broadcast frequencies
ABC Classic is broadcast in stereo FM across Australia on over more than 30 frequencies. Broadcast frequencies of the major Australian capital cities are listed below.- 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
- 103.9 FM - Adelaide, South Australia
- 105.9 FM - Melbourne, Victoria
- 106.1 FM - Brisbane, Queensland
- 107.3 FM - Darwin, Northern Territory
ABC Classic 2