ON THIS DAY…… 5th November 1956
ABC television first broadcast
The inaugural ABC television station was ABN2 Sydney. The first broadcast was on 5 November 1956, and commenced with the ABC logo, and presenter Michael Charlton, whose father Conrad had introduced Australians to ABC radio in 1932. Charlton announced: “Hello there, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and children. This emblem that you’ve just seen is tonight the symbol of a historic occasion – the opening of the national television service, which, of course, is YOUR television service. And we hope that tonight, and in the weeks and years to come, that you’re going to see and enjoy a lot more of it on ABN2 – ABN Channel 2. My name is Michael Charlton, and I’m your host here tonight.” Shortly afterwards, Charlton invited Prime Minister Robert Menzies to launch ABC Television. The first news bulletin was then read by ABC radio newsreader James Dibble, who became the senior ABC television newsreader. The ABC then followed two weeks later with a transmission in Melbourne.
