ABC Radio Sydney

ABC Radio Sydney
Company type	Public broadcasting
Industry	Radio broadcasting
Predecessor	2SB, 2BL
Founded	November 13, 1923; 102 years ago in Sydney, Australia
Founder	Sydney Broadcasters Limited
Headquarters	Parramatta, Australia
Area served	Sydney and New South Wales
Key people	Sarah Macdonald (host of Mornings)
Products	Radio programs, news, sports broadcasts
Owner	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website	abc.net.au/radio/sydney

ABC Radio Sydney (call sign: 2BL, previously known as 2SB) operates as an ABC radio outlet based in Sydney, Australia. Serving as the principal station of the ABC Local Radio network, it transmits on 702 kHz AM with a power output of 50 kW—the highest permitted within Australia—from a transmission site located west of Sydney's central business district.

History

Australia’s inaugural public radio station, ABC Radio Sydney, commenced broadcasting on 13 November 1923 under the callsign 2SB, where "2" denoted New South Wales and "SB" represented Sydney Broadcasters Limited. The callsign was later updated to 2BL following the acquisition by Broadcasters Limited. In May 1928, control shifted to the Sydney Broadcasting Company for both 2BL and 2FC, and in 1929 the Australian Broadcasting Company Limited was established to provide programming to these "A-class" stations.

By 1932, 2BL had been incorporated into the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), a government-owned entity. By 1946, it served as the flagship for the National Programme—precursor to Radio National—and began airing parliamentary sessions. In 1963, after exchanging formats with 2FC, it became the lead station for the Interstate Programme, which later transformed into Local Radio; parliamentary broadcasts continued until 1988.

The use of the 2BL identifier was gradually discontinued by 1999 when the station rebranded as 702 ABC Sydney, eventually adopting the title ABC Radio Sydney in 2017.

According to Nielsen Media Research’s second radio ratings survey in 2012, ABC Radio Sydney captured a 10.3% share of the local audience, ranking second only to commercial talk station 2GB. Most ABC Local Radio outlets across New South Wales simulcast ABC Radio Sydney’s content outside their local programming hours, except for 999 ABC Broken Hill, which relays ABC Radio Adelaide due to differing time zones.

In November 2023, marking its centenary year, ABC Radio Sydney retired its trademark hourly time signal pips. Subsequently, on 6 May 2024, the station transitioned from its Ultimo location to new studios at 6 & 8 Parramatta Square in Parramatta. The program Mornings, hosted by Sarah Macdonald, was the inaugural broadcast from this new venue. The launch event featured media leaders such as Kim Williams, David Anderson, and Andrew Charlton.

Daily scheduling

Breakfast, hosted by Craig Reucassel – from 5:30am until 8:00am
AM, presented by Sabra Lane – from 8:00am to 8:30am
Mornings, with Hamish Macdonald (Monday to Thursday) and Kathryn Robinson (Friday) – from 8:30am to 11:00am
Conversations, featuring Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski (Radio National) – from 11:00am to noon
The World Today, anchored by Andy Park – from noon to 12:30pm
Afternoons, with James Valentine – from 12:30pm until 3:00pm
Drive, hosted by Chris Bath (Monday–Thursday) and Dom Knight (Friday) – from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
PM, with Samantha Donovan – from 6:00pm to 6:30pm
ABC Sport Daily, presented by Patrick Stack – from 6:30pm to 6:45pm
Evenings, hosted by Renee Krosch – from 6:45pm until 10:00pm
Nightlife, with Philip Clark (Monday–Thursday) and Suzanne Hill (Friday–Sunday) – from 10:00pm to 2:00am
Overnights, featuring Trevor Chappell (Monday–Thursday, Melbourne) and Rod Quinn (Friday–Sunday, Sydney) – from 2:00am until 5:30am

Additional programs

Thank God it's Friday presents a weekly summary hosted by Charlie Pickering alongside a range of Australian comedians; it is also accessible as a podcast.
Norman the Quiz, presented by Renee Krosch Monday through Thursday evenings, is broadcast throughout New South Wales and the ACT.
The Mighty Challenge is a late-night quiz show hosted by Phillip Clark.
"Bludging on the Blindside", featuring Rampaging Roy Slaven and HG Nelson, airs Saturdays during the National Rugby League season from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.
Grandstand serves as ABC's premier sports broadcast, airing from midday on weekends.
Speaking Out on Radio National, hosted by Larissa Behrendt, highlights Indigenous topics.

Past presenters

External links and references

[1] 702 ABC Sydney
[2] ABC Online