The last twelve months have seen ABC radio in the spotlight – and there is every indication that attention will only increase in the year to come. On one hand, it was the starting point for events of ongoing news interest – think of Antoinette Lattouf and the debacle following her short-lived stint on Radio Sydney (or the more recent criticism of Dick Smith on Macca’s Australia All Over).

On the other hand, it has also been the subject of top-level policy changes at the ABC, with a bold experiment at Radio National about to unfold. Both these aspects of radio’s new prominence are associated with risk, which only adds to the interest in its fortunes.

Radio accounts for vast amount of ABC output – 4 national networks, 8 local city stations and 43 local regional stations – but it is not all cut from the same cloth. Local radio consists largely of daily, live presenter-led shows, with talkback and text lines. It is hardly surprising that listeners feel a bond with established presenters (and through them, others in the audience) – and express their displeasure at precipitous change.

The decision by Radio Sydney management this November to drop presenter Sarah MacDonald was greeted with dismay by listeners, as well as incredulity by media professionals who pointed to the show’s increased ratings during her time at the helm. While MacDonald’s replacement may build on her success, the timing of the decision – with the Lattouf affair yet to be resolved– risks damaging trust in the ABC’s decision-making ability.

Radio National has traditionally been as much about programs as presenters. Over recent years, questions surfaced about the network’s future, whether it would continue as a radio station or a podcast production service, with the ABC’s “digital first” strategy outlining a winding back of radio transmission across the board. But new ABC Chair Kim Williams reversed this in October. His decision to elevate ABC Audio to the Corporation’s Executive was welcomed as a powerful affirmation of radio.

Williams has shown a particular interest in Radio National, proposing that it emulate the BBC’s Radio 4. Radio 4 is a “speech” station, in some ways similar to Radio National, but also very different – alongside news and analysis, its daily output includes drama, comedy and book readings.

Recent announcements for Radio National in 2025 show it building on its existing content. Among presenters, Fran Kelly returns, this time with a daily show between 6 and 7pm (chasing the audience of The Drum?).

One feature of Radio 4 being introduced to Radio National in 2025 is the use of continuity announcers, with Hilary Harpur and Cassie McCullagh “guiding listeners” through the schedule. Continuity announcers are central to BBC’s Radio 4, partly as it has many short programs peppered across the day. The need for guidance on Radio National is less obvious, particularly with audiences opting to listen “later”. The investment in live continuity is a great vote of confidence in Radio National’s potential to attract an audience.

The challenge for the ABC is to ensure that listening in every form continues.