2GB

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This article is about the radio station. For the size limit, see 2 GB limit.
2GB
City of license Sydney, Australia
Broadcast area Sydney, Australia
Slogan The Power Station
Frequency 950 kHz AM (1926–1935)
870 kHz AM (1935–1978)
873 kHz AM (1978–)
First air date 23 August 1926
Format talkback radio station
Owner Macquarie Radio Network
(Harbour Radio Pty. Ltd.)
Sister stations 2CH
Webcast
Website 2gb.com.au

2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. In 2010, 2GB held 14.7% of the total radio ratings share, making it the most widely listened-to radio station in Sydney.[1]

History

The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926.[2] The operator, Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd, owned by interests associated with the local branch of Theosophical Society Adyar, was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney, area.[3]

In 1933, 2GB became the first Australian station to play transcription records, and had the world's largest transcribed record library at the time.[4]

In 1936 the controlling interest in the station was purchased by Denison Estates Ltd. A new board of directors was appointed under chairman Sir Hugh Denison and included Frederick Daniell and A. E. Bennett, who continued as Station Manager.[5]

In what radio historian Richard Lane termed "The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama", Denison and his media adviser Daniell inaugurated the B.S.A. Players (for Broadcasting Service Association), renamed Macquarie Players in 1938. Apart from locally-written and produced serials such as Dolly and Dan and Doctor Mac, they presented a full-length drama on Sunday afternoons. Writers included John E. C. Appleton, Lynn Foster, E. Mason Wood, William L. Power (who dramatised Helen de Guerry Simpson's Boomerang,[6] a series on "Famous Escapes",[7] and Tales Told to Peter and Pam, a very popular children's series[8]), E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley. Actors included James Raglan, Lou Vernon, Peter Finch, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.[9]

In February 1938, the station launched the Macquarie Radio Network, in competition with the Major Network, started by fellow Sydney station 2UE.[4]

In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere.[4] During World War II, 2GB provided transcription records to the Australian Army's network of radio stations in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.[4]

On 27 August 1955, station announcer Ted Harris, aided by American Ted Schroeder, became the first man to give a direct ball-by-ball description of the Davis Cup from Forest Hills to Australia.[10] Two years later, 2GB became the first Australian station to air news bulletins on the hour, every hour during its broadcast day.[4]

Prior to 1964, the controlling interest (45%) was held by Broadcasting Associates Pty Ltd., with 14% owned by the John Fairfax group of companies, and the balance owned by various smaller shareholders. Broadcasting Associates was owned by A.T.V. (Australia) Pty. Ltd., the Australian subsidiary of ITV company Associated Television.[11] In 1964, Fairfax purchased ATV's Australian assets, including the 45% share in 2GB.[11]

Although the ownership of the station has subsequently passed to strictly commercial interests, the Theosophical Society was still presenting programmes on the station as late as 1975.[12]

2GB currently has a transmission tower on Wentworth Point at Homebush Bay. Its location is visible via the Ryde Bridge, and also via the train line to Rhodes and Concord train stations. The tower and transmitter hut as of July 2013 may have to be relocated due to a proposal for new apartment buildings to be built in and around the point where the tower stands.

In October 2012, following the Alan Jones "died of shame" controversy, 2GB suspended advertising on the Alan Jones show.[13] This decision was reversed in October 2012, but many advertisers declined to return to sponsoring the program.[14]

Callsign and frequency

The number 2 of the callsign refers to the state of New South Wales which also has postcodes starting with 2. The two letters GB indicate an AM station, and were chosen to honour the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno[15] who was much admired by Theosophists. Its original frequency allocation was 950 kHz and moved to 870 kHz in 1935[16] then to 873 in November 1978 when channel separation was reduced from 10 kHz to 9 kHz.

Weekday presenters

Monday-Friday:

Weekend presenters

Saturday:

Sunday:

Fill-in presenters

  • Chris Smith - Usually on for Jones
  • Luke Grant - Usually on for Hadley, Smith, Fordham & Price
  • Andrew Moore - Usually on for Hadley, Smith & Fordham
  • Michael McLaren - Usually on for Wilshire
  • Warren Moore – Usually on sister station 2CH 1170 & sometimes fills in for Price
  • Susie Elelman - Usually on for Wheeler & McLaren

Macquarie Radio Network

Former presenters

References

  1. ↑ Bodey, Michael (March 30, 2010). "Major players maintain leading shares in second radio ratings survey of 2010". The Australian. Retrieved March 26, 2013. 
  2. ↑ "New Station Opened". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 25 April 2010. 
  3. ↑ Roe, J.I. (2006). "Arundale, George Sydney (1878–1945)". Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition,. Australian National University. Retrieved 12 January 2009. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 http://radioyesteryear.org.au/timelines.htm
  5. ↑ "STATION 2GB. Sale of Controlling Interest.". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 November 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 26 April 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Famous Novel Dramatised for Radio". The Australian Women's Weekly (1933–1982) (1933–1982: National Library of Australia). 21 August 1937. p. 37. Retrieved 3 May 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Famous "Escape" Stories to Be Radio Plays". The Australian Women's Weekly (1933–1982) (1933–1982: National Library of Australia). 8 January 1938. p. 30. Retrieved 3 May 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Success of William Power". The Australian Women's Weekly (1933–1982) (1933–1982: National Library of Australia). 23 January 1937. p. 24. Retrieved 3 May 2012. 
  9. ↑ Lane, Richard The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama Melbourne University Press 1994 ISBN 0-522-84556-8
  10. ↑ http://www.commercialradio.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1009
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.takeovers.gov.au/content/Resources/cslrc/cslrc_discussion_paper_no_7.aspx
  12. ↑ "Christmas Universal". Theosophical Society in Tasmania. 21 December 1975. Retrieved 12 January 2009. 
  13. ↑ "2GB drop all advertising on Jones Show". www.radiotoday.com.au (www.radiotoday.com.au). 7 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012. 
  14. ↑ "Advertisers return today to Jones show". www.theaustralian.com.au (www.theaustralian.com.au). 16 October 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2013. 
  15. ↑ Kohn, Rachael (15 November 2006). "Theosophy Today". The Spirit of Things (Transcript). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 January 2009. 
  16. ↑ Wavelengths and Frequencies The Argus (Melbourne) 16 February 1935 Retrieved 16 September 2011

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See also
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