Tasmanian veteran farmer and his family listen to Country Hour most days — here's why
For the Radfords, the Country Hour has been as much a part of their routine as some of the farm jobs. (ABC News: Mack Heard)
In short:
The Country Hour is celebrating 80 years on air. It was first broadcast on ABC Radio on December 3, 1945, making it the country's longest-running radio program.
Families such as the Radfords from north-west Tasmania have been listening to the rural program for decades.
What's next?
The ABC's team of more than 50 rural reporters take stories and conversations from the bush to listeners Australia-wide.
Veteran farmer Reuben Radford listens to the Country Hour most days, and so too does his granddaughter Caitlin, who is now running the family farm, although she is more likely to listen via her phone.
"There's the weather report and the general reports on what's going on around the country; the cattle and sheep market reports. They're all very important," Mr Radford, 91, from north-west Tasmania, explains.
The Country Hour first broadcast on ABC Radio on December 3, 1945, making it Australia's longest-running radio program.
Caitlin Radford (left) says 44mm of rain fell at Moriarty, near Devonport. (ABC News)
On Wednesday, December 3, the ABC is celebrating 80 years since that first program, with outside broadcasts planned in various rural areas around the country.
For the Radfords, the Country Hour has been as much a part of their routine as some of the farm jobs.
"I've grown up with Pop listening to the Country Hour every day for as long as I can remember,"Ms Radford said.
"He's got a radio beside his bed and in his kitchen. For me, it's a little bit different, though.
"I quite like a good podcast, so I get it up on the app and listen to it whenever I can."
Loading...Research has shown that a strong understanding of the audience's wants and needs is behind the success of local rural and regional media and programs like the Country Hour.
It's the "secret sauce" to the longevity of the program, according to Deakin University media academic Kristy Hess.
"What I think the Country Hour does is that it knows its audience really well and it caters to that audience, and so to me that is really important because they help people feel connected to community," Professor Hess said.
Mr Radford agrees.
"Even now the radio is on in my car, stuck on the one station — ABC. I know there are other stations on there," he said.
Veteran farmer Reuben Radford listens to the Country Hour most days. (ABC News: Mack Heard)
Audiences want local media, expert says
As part of her research on local journalism, Professor Hess has travelled to a lot of country regions.
"The traditional platforms and programs like the Country Hour and the classic local newspaper are really important because they help people feel connected to the community and to a broader outside world," Professor Hess said.
But while important, it has not stopped many rural and regional newspapers from closing, she said.
Deakin University academic Kristy Hess says local media helps people feel connected to the community. (Supplied)
More than 200 local newspapers closed or cut services during the pandemic.
Further investigations found the cuts were due to collapsing advertising revenue and cost-cutting measures, according to Professor Hess.
"The advertising model has shrunk and, therefore, the money supporting salaries of journalists has reduced as well,"she said.
"That's probably one of the main reasons that we are facing the situation that we're in."
Caitlin Radford grew up with "pop listening to the Country Hour every day". (ABC News: Mack Heard)
Those that have survived, she believes, are more important than ever.
"[Local media] matters because they help people feel connected. They talk about wonderful things like achievements in communities, but they also hold civic institutions and people in power to account," Professor Hess said.
"That's what audiences want, and they want more of it.
"Particularly for the agricultural sector, the Country Hour has been such an important lifeblood for the farming community."
Rural reporters today have broader roles compared to decades ago, when they were stationed in country towns and regions across the country.
In the digital media environment, reporters must also write and produce for radio, online, video and social media.
The change has helped rural conversations and stories spread further afield.