Australia is probably unique in having not one but two public service
broadcasting organizations-the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (AB
C) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). The ABC is the older an
d larger of the two and was originally modeled on the British Broadcas
ting Commission, whereas the SBS is a distinctively Australian innovat
ion. The ABC operates six radio networks and two television networks,
and the SBS operates one radio and one television network. Both public
broadcasters are funded directly by the federal government, although
SBS supplements its income by limited advertising. Although both the A
BC and SBS occupy eminent positions in the broadcasting system and in
Australian cultural life generally, they are not able to rest on their
laurels. They are currently in the process of redefining their roles
in the new multichannel broadcasting environment, and at the same time
responding to political pressures to become more commercially oriente
d. This process of change is causing difficulties and uncertainty, par
ticularly for the ABC.