The origins of the orchestra date back to the founding of the Radio Verkehrs AG (RAVAG) in 1924, with its own Rundfunkorchester playing by 1926. It was reconstituted after the Second World War by Max Schönherr as Das Wiener Funkorchester.

This orchestra has had several name changes. Please use only the appropriate profile. A rough timeline:

From 1945 to 19??: Das Wiener Funkorchester
From 19?? to 19??: Das Große Wiener Rundfunkorchester
From 19?? to 1969: Großes Orchester des Österreichischen Rundfunks
From 1969 to 1996: ORF Symphonieorchester
From 1996 to 2009 : RSO Wien
Since 2009: ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien