2GB

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	[1]
Website	2gb.com

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.

History

The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926. 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.

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

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.

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, a series on "Famous Escapes", and Tales Told to Peter and Pam, a popular children's series), E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley. Actors included James Raglan, Lou Vernon, Peter Finch, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.

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

In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere. 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.

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. Two years later, 2GB became the first Australian station to air news bulletins on the hour, every hour during its broadcast day.

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. In 1964, Fairfax purchased ATV's Australian assets, including the 45% share in 2GB.

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.

In 2001, Ray Hadley, previously with 2UE, became a presenter at the station. 2GB 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 will be moved to an alternate location due to a redevelopment taking place in and around the site throughout 2015 and 2016.

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

In June 2014, Michael Smith was fired as fill-in commentator for calling Muhammad a paedophile; Program Director David Kidd referred to Muhammad as a deity.

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, who was much admired by Theosophists. Its original frequency allocation was 950 kHz and moved to 870 kHz in 1935, then to 873 in November 1978, when channel separation was reduced from 10 kHz to 9 kHz.

Macquarie Radio Network

• Macquarie Radio Network owns both 2GB and 2CH.
• Macquarie National News is the name of the news service of the Macquarie Radio Network, and is taken by various stations including 2KY.

Former presenters

• Brian Carlton
• Jack Davey
• Bob Dyer
• Terry Dear
• Ken Howard (race caller)
• John Tapp (race caller)
• John Pearce
• Gwen Plumb
• Andrea
• Dita Cobb
• Ian McRae
• Grant Goldman (now with 2SM)
• Tim Webster (now with 2UE)
• Malcolm T. Elliott
• John Laws
• Mike Carlton
• Bob Rogers
• Peter Hand
• Owen Delaney (Australia Overnight)
• Phillip Clark
• Jason Morrison
• Murray Wilton
• Jim Ball
• Luke Bona (now with 2UE)

External links

• Brief History – transcript of talk by Alan Jones on the early history of this station and others
• Talkback Radio 2GB 873 AM
• Macquarie National News