Australian broadcasting combines both the European and American models, with public and commercial radio developed together. An unusual feature is that FM radio did not start until around 1980 while AM offers the sound quality approaching that on FM. Therefore, unlike most other countries, the oldest stations broadcast mainly on AM. Public radio Public radio in Australia is broadcast by ABC and comprises five services. Radio National, broadcast mostly on AM is an upmarket news, talk and discussion station. The local and regional stations broadcast a mixed format of news, sport, talk and music, again mostly on AM. The two FM networks are classical station, Classic FM, and new music station, JJJ. Lastly, ABD News Radio broadcasts news and parliametary coverage to major cities only on AM. Commercial and community radio Australia has nearly 200 commercial radio stations, with a roughly equal number on AM and FM. The largest cities have around 10 stations. There are also over a hundred community stations, broadcasting at similar powers to the public and commercial stations, mostly on FM. About half of these are licensed to christian groups. The others include ethnic, educational and 'print handicapped' stations (on AM).

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