Pity no improvement to reinstate a live drive program, even 5:30-7pm and PM 5pm live.
Only the 6pm Radio National Hour with Fran Kelly is the closest to a drive live show.
RN Drive never really cut through, had lots of filler content. A contained quality program like the Radio National Hour is better in my view. Also easier to access on demand later in the evening. Just wish Michael Rowland was the permanent host.
Enjoyed the content in the era that Andy Park was host and the executive producer was more experienced.
Did anyone else hear some guy making weird noises on top of tonightâs Late Night Live broadcast?
I heard this on 621 AM in Melbourne, in the last segment about springtails. At first I thought it was intentional then I realised it couldnât possibly have been. It sounded like some guy had just turned on a live mic and started making noises and laughing. Or maybe a pirate interfering with the frequency?
If nobody else heard this I must have experienced some kind of aural hallucination⌠it was weird
Roughly what time was this? I could always listen in an hour later here in QLD, or you could stream on SA or Qld time to check if it happens on the delayed broadcast?
It was the last segment so roughly the last 15min or so, so about 22:45 AEDT. I was going to check the podcast version as well when that gets uploaded
OK I listened in QLD time online and itâs not there. This is so weird. It must have been specific to 621 AM. Can pirates do that? Just get on top of the frequency?
Are you sure it wasnât the people talking? I mean, RN has some weirdos on the air. 
I did think that at first! I thought it was some deliberate effect but then it didnât make any sense.
DAVID MARR: Now weâre going to be talking about springtails, a very fascinating insect whichâŚ
SOME GUY: AHAHA! BLOOP BLORP. YOOOOOO.
Given that their Facebook page got hacked, there is always the possibility that some bored employee decided to start yelling random crap. 
Works for 2SM.
RN have confirmed with me I was not losing my mind:
âWe wondered if we were hallucinating too lol.
We quickly realised someone had left a fader on connecting our music studio to the LNL studio while someone was in there practising singingâŚ.. ah the challenges of live radio!
Luckily we found the source and switched it off fairly quickly so apologies for that!â
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What a fantastic response. Puts your mind at ease too
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I didnât realise LNL is actually live sometimes! Most of the time it sounds like itâs pre-recorded
ABC Chair Kim Williams launches the 2026 ABC TOP 5
ABC Radio National is searching for Australiaâs next generation of inspiring research communicators, to take part in this yearâs ABC TOP 5 media residencies
This morning ABC Chair Kim Williams launched 2026 applications for the ABC TOP 5 â which gives 15 early career PhD scholars the chance to spend two-weeks with some of the ABCâs leading journalists and producers. Applications are now open for the three media residencies in Science, Arts & Humanities.
Supported by Creative Australia, the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and the Australian National University, the ABC TOP 5 project aims to equip early career researchers with tools to share their innovative ideas and insights with audiences across Australia.
Kim Williams says that academics make an invaluable contribution to the Corporationâs News and specialist output. âIn a time when facts are questioned and unsubstantiated opinions often dominate, it is vital that the ABC keeps Australians well informed, striving to offer sound objectively sourced information and analysis.
âThe next generations of academics will play a central role in shaping our future through assisting better public access to necessary news and information which will assist good decision making. This program is central to ensuring early opportunities for that next generation to commence an energising discovery and skills development journey.â
As Head of ABC Radio National, Dina Rosendorff is proud of how the ABC TOP 5 helps Australians to better understand the complex world in which we live: âAs Australiaâs premier destination for trusted ideas and specialist discussion, ABC Radio National cuts through the noise with depth, independence and intelligence.
âTodayâs audiences want more than headlines - they want understanding. By supporting emerging researchers to develop new media skills, ABC Radio National is securing the future of rigorous, public-minded storytelling.â
Applications are open now and close 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 6 April 2026.
Find full details at www.abc.net.au/top5
The ABC TOP 5 media residencies are open to researchers across Australia:
- Humanities: PhD-qualified early career researchers in humanities, arts, and social sciences (HASS)
- Science: PhD-qualified early career researchers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medical research (STEMM)
- Arts: Early-career Arts researchers - with or studying for a PhD in visual arts, architecture, design, performance, screen, literature, or music.
The ABC is proud to be working with our TOP 5 project partners: Creative Australia, University of Melbourne, Australian National University and University of Sydney. The vital ongoing support these partners makes the ABC TOP 5 possible:
The ANU supports the ABC TOP 5 Science, and Professor Sujatha Raman is Director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS): "The ABC Top 5 offers a fantastic opportunity for researchers across all disciplines to learn the art of communicating from Australiaâs premier public service broadcaster.
âAs the nationâs leading centre in science communication for public good, we at CPAS are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the ABC. The Top 5 program promises to be a life-changer for the individual and a major contribution to the nationâs public discourse in the coming year".
Professor Julie Cairney Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) says the University of Sydney is pleased to be working with the ABC again: âEarly career researchers are the future of our research workforce, and the outcomes of their work will shape Australiaâs future society. Being able to clearly and compellingly explain their work is more important than ever. Better communication skills will help them to have a greater influence, which is why the University is proud to provide ongoing support for this ABC partnership.â
âThe ABC Radio National Top 5 Arts Residency offers something rare and vital: time, rigour and a national platform to explore deep creative inquiryâ, says Lara Wolski, Executive Director Development and Partnerships at Creative Australia. âWe are proud to continue supporting this important residency, enabling arts practitioners and researchers to make meaningful contributions to national conversations, and bringing critical insight, evidence and creative practice to audiences across the country.â
Also essential for the ABC TOP 5 Arts is the support of the University of Melbourne. Professor Marie Sierra is the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and is very proud to have partnered with the ABC again: â'The TOP 5 Media Residency supports talented artistâresearchers to communicate their research to new audiences through innovative media training. It offers a valuable opportunity for arts practitioners to strengthen their capacity to articulate the significance and impact of creative arts research beyond academic contexts, into the economy and society.â
For more information and to apply visit: www.abc.net.au/top5:
Morrow currently hosts Sunday Extra, which airs on RN from 7am to 10am.