ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide radio network broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation with many various programs, involving news and current affairs, arts, music, society, science, drama and comedy. Some programs are mirrored on Radio Australia, Australia's shortwave service.
The radio programs from many of the stations are available for real-time streaming over the Internet, or for downloading as MP3 podcast files. Some programs also have transcripts available on the Radio National website.
Radio National as it is known today has had a long history. RN's Sydney station 2FC first broadcast in 1923, the ABC taking over all existing "A" Class stations in 1932. 2FC stood for Farmer and Company, the original owner of the station before the ABC took it over. The Melbourne station, 3AR, began in 1924, followed soon after by 6WF Perth, 4QG Brisbane, 5CL Adelaide and 7ZL Hobart.
From 1947 until mid 1980s, "Radio 2" (as it became known) was broadcast to the major metropolitan centres with additional reception in adjacent areas. It contained most of the ABC's national programming. It began to take on a more serious tone in the 1970s.
In 1985 ABC renamed Radio 2 to Radio National. Since 1990, all RN stations have had the same callsign format - *RN, where * is the appropriate number for the state or territory.

Typical programs

AM, The World Today, PM: in-depth news and analysis (Mondays - Fridays at, respectively, 7.10, 12.00, and 17.00)
Asia Pacific: current regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region, mirrored on Radio Australia (Tuesdays - Saturdays at 1.00 and 5.00) News and analysis

Australia Talks: Mondays to Fridays 18.00 – 19.00, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 03.00) Talkback

Artworks: What's happening now in new music, art and culture in Australia and around the world (Sundays; 10.00, Tuesday 15.00)
Airplay: radio plays (Fridays 21.00, Sundays 15.00)
Poetica: poetry featured and produced for radio (Thursdays 21.00, Saturdays 15.00)
Music Deli: live music performances (Tuesdays 2.00, Fridays 20.00, Sundays 16.00)
The Music Show: latest developments in music, featured music and interviews with performers/composers (Saturdays 10.00 and 20.00)
Sound Quality: latest new music in the genre of electronica and others (Fridays 23.20 to Saturdays 1.00)
The Daily Planet / The Weekend Planet: music from all around the world (Mondays to Fridays 14.20 and 16.00, Mondays to Thursdays 2320, Saturdays and Sundays 22.00)
Radio Eye: Radio National's flagship documentary programme (Wednesdays 13.00, Saturdays 14.00)
The Night Air: a new kind of radio program – a kaleidoscopic composition of music, sounds, audio cut-ups, ideas and stories (Fridays 21.35, Sundays 0.00 and 20.30)
Exhibit A: a weekly discussion of arts issues, hosted by Julie Copeland, which is also downloadable from the ABC website. Arts and music
Radio National's religion unit provides reporting and analysis on religious and ethical issues for Australia. Following its ABC charter obligations, this unit forms a key part of the ABC's religion output, and is unique in providing the independent analysis of a public broadcaster.

The Ark : historians and authors about curious moments in religious history
Encounter : a radio documentary series exploring connections between religion and life
The Religion Report : religious current affairs (Wednesdays 0830 and 20.05)
The Rhythm Divine : "a musical journey through the world of belief"
The Spirit Of Things: an adventure into religion and spirituality, exploring contemporary values and beliefs (Mondays 21.00, Fridays 4.00, Sundays 18.00) Religion

All In The Mind investigates the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour (Wednesdays 21.00, Saturdays 13.00)
The Philosopher's Zone: your guide through the strange thickets of logic, metaphysics and ethics. (Saturdays 13:35, Mondays 13:35) Science

List of Australian radio stations
BBC Radio 4
Radio New Zealand National