Australian Broadcasting Corporation delays new digital radio service

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has put back the launch of its new digital radio service to July. The service was to have started on 1 May. Acting director of radio Kate Dundas says a delay in funding confirmation for equipment and infrastructure prevented an earlier rollout. When it starts, digital radio will broadcast Radio National, local radio, Triple J, Newsradio and classic FM in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. There will also be three new music services currently only available on the Internet.
Listeners of the new services will need to buy a digital receiver.
(Source: ABC News/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation defends program cuts

The Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Mark Scott, says the quality and diversity of its Radio National service will continue despite the axing of several programmes, ABC News reports. On Wednesday the ABC released its 2009 Radio National schedule, confirming that eight specialist programmes would not be returning. The programmes are the Media Report, Religion Report, Sports Factor, Perspective, The Ark, In Conversation, Radio Eye and Street Stories.
Earlier today, the Senate supported a motion from the opposition Greens party calling on ABC management to explain why the programmes have been axed. Mr Scott has defended the decision, saying the changes will not diminish the quality of Radio National’s output. “We are doing nothing to change the fundamental foundation of Radio National’s success in delivering high quality distinctive programming to the Australian people. There are new ideas, new specialist programmes that we need to develop and put to air.”
(Source: Asia-Pacifc Broadcasting Union/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)