Macquarie Media

Macquarie Media Limited (ASX: MRN) is an Australian media company, operating radio stations nationally in the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as regional Queensland, it is based in the Sydney suburb of Pyrmont. It is a publicly listed company, majority owned by Fairfax Media. It also operates news service Macquarie National News.

History

Before 2015

In some respects the history of Macquarie began when 2GB first went on the air in 1926. However, the network itself was formed in 1938.^[1] From inception and until the early 1960s, the network was renowned for its high quality productions of variety programs, quizzes, dramas and serials. Most of these programs emanated from Sydney. As well as being heard on all of the network's stations, right across the country, they were also syndicated to non-network stations. With the coming of television in 1956, the radio audience for these types of programs dropped dramatically. Macquarie stations solved the problem by quickly increasing their news, talk, commentary and current affairs content.

In 1973, a significant year because it was the 50th anniversary of broadcasting in Australia, the Macquarie Network had the following constituent stations: 2GB Sydney; 2CA Canberra; 2PK Parkes; 2WL Wollongong; 3AW Melbourne; 4BH Brisbane; 4BU Bundaberg; 4GY Gympie; 5DN Adelaide; 6IX Perth; 6BY Bunbury; 6MD Merredin; 6WB Katanning; 7HO Hobart.^[1]

During the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, there were a number of other commercial radio networks, another key one being the Major Network^[2][3] By the late 1980s Macquarie had become Australia's only national commercial radio network. However, during the last three decades, a number of new networks have arisen, including the Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, unrelated to the Macquarie Radio Network. In 2007, 13 networks owned or controlled 80 per cent of the 261 Australian commercial radio stations^[4]

In 2010, Macquarie entered a joint venture with Pacific Star Network to relaunch Melbourne radio station 3MP as MTR 1377. On 2 March 2012, MTR ceased operations when Pacific Star was unable to pay any monies owed to Macquarie.^[5]

On 31 August 2011, Macquarie acquired the Smart Radio Network which encompasses 4VL, Triple CCC FM, 4HI, 4ZR, 4LM, 4SB and Hot Country network at a cost of $6 million. These stations are part of Macquarie Regional Radio, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Macquarie Radio Network.

2015 onwards

In December 2014, Macquarie announced that it had agreed to a merger with Fairfax Media. Under the deal, Fairfax will gain a 55% share in the Macquarie Radio Network, with Macquarie's existing shareholders holding the remaining 45%.^[6] To comply with legislation only allowing two radio licences to be held by one party in each market, stations 2CH and 4LM will be sold.^[7] The merger was completed in March 2015.^{[8][9][10][11]}

In April 2015, a number of programming changes occurred at Macquarie's stations. At 4BC Brisbane, Breakfast presenters Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan, Mornings host Patrick Condren, Nights host Walter Williams and Weekend Breakfast presenter Murray Shoring were axed, as well as sister Magic 882 Nights presenter Jo Henderson. In total, 18 positions were cut, and programming replaced by networked shows from 2GB and 2UE.^[12][13][14] In Sydney, 2UE's afternoon announcer Angela Catterns was axed, as was the entire newsroom, and the station's news services were replaced by the Macquarie's national news service^[15] - while in Melbourne all of Magic 1278's lineup and most of the production team was cut.^[16]

On 30 October 2015, it was announced the company had divested its regional assets, selling eight radio stations to Resonate Broadcasting.^[17][18] On 6 November, it was announced that all of Magic 882's programming - with the exception of nights - would be networked from Magic 1278 in Melbourne.^[19]

On 10 November 2015, the company changed its name to Macquarie Media Limited.^[20]

Assets

Radio

News. Talk. Sport.

Macquarie Media also manages national sales for NOVA Entertainment owned-and-operated FIVEaa.

Magic Network

Stations formerly owned-and-operated, and divested since 2012

Macquarie Media Syndication

Macquarie Media Syndication distributes radio content via satellite to various Australian radio stations. Currently, 61 shows are distributed.

Music

News

News talk

Sport and special events

References

External links

• Macquarie Media Limited website
• Macquarie National News