3UZ is the official callsign of a medium-wave radio station in Melbourne, Australia which broadcasts under the name Radio Sport National.
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3UZ was founded by electrical engineer Oliver John Nilsen CBE, who was later to become a Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Known as "O.J.", Nilsen had created an electrical business, Oliver J. Nilsen & Co. (later Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd) in 1916, manufacturing electric jugs, kettles, toasters, crystal sets and radios.
On 6 February 1925 Nilsen was granted a broadcasting licence and in March 3UZ commenced operations as "The Voice of Victoria" from 45 Bourke Street. Keith Cooke was engaged as chief announcer, and first night artists included Leslie Dobson, George Cowley, Dulcie Cherry, and Gertrude Hutton.[1] After the launch, Listener-In magazine remarked that the station :
"... has received many favourable comments from Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales, and many remote country districts in Victoria on its transmission."
3UZ had Victoria's first "B-class" licence, permitting it to broadcast paid advertisements. At the time, other stations were dependent on subscriptions. In 1929, 3UZ along with 3DB participated in experimental television broadcasts using the Radiovision system.[2]
Originally on a frequency of 930 kHz, 3UZ later moved to 927 kHz in 1978 with the implementation of 9 kHz spacing on the AM band.
For the next sixty years the station achieved consistent top ratings as "The Greater 3UZ", with stars including Smoky Dawson, John McMahon, "Nikki" Whitta, Graham Kennedy, Happy Hammond, Allan Lappan, Don Lunn, Ken Sparkes, John Vertigan, Neil Thompson, Don Lane and Bert Newton.
In 1985 the Nilsen family sold 3UZ for $9.2 million to Launceston (Tasmania) media company ENT Ltd., associated with the controversial figure Edmund Rouse.
The station was sold in 1986 to a horse and greyhound racing group and in 1996 changed its on-air identification to Radio Sport 927.
A handful of programme titles from 3UZ's history:
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