the national broadcasting service commenced in 1929. as each of the licences of the mostly struggling a-class broadcasting services expired, they were not renewed. the commonwealth of australia acquired, by lease or purchase the transmission and studio facilities from each former licensee. these facilities were than operated by the postmaster-general's department. the government had contracted the australian broadcasting company (a private entity, unrelated to the later australian broadcasting commission) to supply the programming for these services. this contract expired in 1932 and was not renewed. while the regulatory framework for the b-class stations changed little during this period. the stations had never been happy with the label b class and from this time are increasingly referred to as commercial services.