 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sydney RA1 |
| Frequency | 873kHzAM (1978–present) |
| Branding | 2GB 873 |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Talk radio |
| Network | Nine Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| 2UE | |
| History | |
First air date | 23 August 1926; 99 years ago (1926-08-23) |
Former frequencies | 950 kHz AM (1926–1935) 870 kHz (1935–1978) |
Call sign meaning | GiordanoBruno |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | Australian Communications & Media Authority |
| ERP | 5kW[1] |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°51′15″S151°03′54″E / 33.8542°S 151.0650°E /-33.8542; 151.0650 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
2GB is acommercial radio station inSydney, Australia, owned byNine Entertainment, that also owns2UE.
In 2024, 2GB held 14% of the total radio ratings share, making it one of the most widely listened-to radio stations in Sydney.[2]
2GB commenced intermittent broadcasting in August 1926.[3] The operator, Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd, owned by interests associated with the local branch ofTheosophical Society Adyar, was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney area.[4]The initials honourGiordano Bruno.[5] George A. Saunders, previously with 2BL, became 2GB's first station manager and (as "Uncle George") on-air personality in 1927.[6]
2GB became the first Australian station to play transcription records by 1933, holding the world's largest transcribed record library at the time.[7]
The controlling interest in the station was purchased byDenison Estates Ltd in 1936. A new board of directors was appointed under chairmanHugh Denison and included Frederick Daniell and A. E. Bennett, who continued as station manager.[8]
In what radio historian and writerRichard Lane termed "The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama", Denison and his media adviser Daniell inaugurated theBroadcasting Service Association Players, renamed the Macquarie Players in 1938.
2GB produced local weekly serials such asDolly and Dan andDoctor Mac, and presented a full-length drama on Sunday afternoons. Writers includedJohn E. C. Appleton,Lynn Foster, E. Mason Wood, William L. Power (who dramatisedHelen de Guerry Simpson'sBoomerang,[9] a series on "Famous Escapes",[10] andTales Told to Peter and Pam, a popular children's series[11]),E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley.
Actors includedJames Raglan,Lou Vernon,Peter Finch, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.[12]
The station launched the Macquarie Radio Network, in February 1938, in competition with the Major Network, started by fellow Sydney station2UE.[7]
"Calling the Stars" was an expensive show created locally and sponsored byColgate-Palmolive. The stars of the show included comediansJack Davey, `Mo’ (Roy Rene) andWillie Fennell.Dorothy (Dilly) Foster and Rita Pauncefort read double entendres as the not too bright, "Ada and Elsie" in a script written by Foster until 1954.[13]
In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere.[7] DuringWorld War II, 2GB provided transcription records to theAustralian Army's network of radio stations inPapua New Guinea and thePacific Islands.[7]
Station announcerTed Harris, aided by AmericanTed Schroeder, became the first man to give a direct ball-by-ball description of theDavis Cup fromForest Hills to Australia on 27 August 1955.[14] Two years later, 2GB became the first Australian station to air news bulletins on the hour, every hour during its broadcast day.[7]
Prior to 1964, the controlling interest (45%) was held by Broadcasting Associates Pty Ltd, with 14% owned byJohn Fairfax, and the balance owned by various smaller shareholders. Broadcasting Associates was owned by ATV (Australia) Pty Ltd, the Australian subsidiary ofITV companyAssociated Television.[15] In 1964, Fairfax purchased ATV's Australian assets, including the 45% share in 2GB.[15]
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.[16]
Ray Hadley, previously with2UE, became a presenter at the station in 2001.
2GB had a standby mast and its original 873 AM transmitter tower atWentworth Point atHomebush Bay. Its location was visible via the Ryde Bridge, and also via the train line to Rhodes and Concord train stations. Due to a redevelopment occurring on the same land, the tower was brought down on Friday 11 September 2015. A month or two before, a new tower was erected for 2GB and is now situated at the 2KY transmitter site, also in Homebush.In October 2012, following theAlan Jones "died of shame" controversy, 2GB suspended advertising on the Alan Jones show.[17] This decision was reversed in October 2012, but many advertisers declined to return to sponsoring the program.[18]
In June 2014, Michael Smith was fired as fill-in commentator for callingMuhammad apaedophile; Program Director David Kidd referred to Muhammad as a deity.[19]
On 1 April 2015 The Macquarie Radio Network merged with the Fairfax Radio Network ofFairfax Media. The news teams of 2UE and 2GB are being merged with "significant job cuts." Consequently, on 9 April 2015 the 2UE newsroom was closed.[20][21]
The number2 of the callsign refers to the state ofNew South Wales, which also haspostcodes starting with2. The two lettersGB indicate anAM station, and were chosen to honour the Italian philosopherGiordano Bruno,[22] who was much admired by Theosophists. Its original frequency allocation was 950 kHz and moved to 870 kHz in 1935,[23] then to 873 on 23 November 1978, when channel separation was reduced from 10 kHz to 9 kHz as a result of aninternational medium wave frequency realignment. It has also been attributed to Grace Brothers the department store building where the station originally broadcast from.
| Program | Presenters | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Overnight (Mon-Thurs) | Ugly Phil | 12 am to 5:30 am |
| Ben Fordham Live | Ben Fordham | 5:30 am to 9 am |
| The Mark Levy Morning Show | Mark Levy | 9 am to 12 pm |
| 2GB Afternoons | Michael McLaren | 12 pm to 3 pm |
| Sydney Now | Clinton Maynard | 3 pm to 6 pm |
| Wide World of Sports | Adam Hawse | 6 pm to 7 pm |
| Money News | Evan Lucas | 7 pm to 8 pm |
| Nights with John Stanley | John Stanley | 8 pm to 12 am |
| Program | Presenters | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Overnight | Ugly Phil | 12 am to 5:30 am |
| Ben Fordham Live | Ben Fordham | 5:30 am to 9 am |
| The Mark Levy Morning Show | Mark Levy | 9 am to 12 pm |
| 2GB Afternoons | Michael McLaren | 12 pm to 3 pm |
| Sydney Now | Clinton Maynard | 3 pm to 6 pm |
| Wide World of Sports | Adam Hawse | 6 pm to 7 pm |
| The Continuous Call Team | Various NRL Presenters | 7 pm to 11 pm (NRL season) |
| Nights with John Stanley | John Stanley | 7 pm to 11 pm (NRL off-season) |
| The Mark Levy Morning Show | Mark Levy | 11 pm to 12 am |
| Program | Presenters | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Overnight | Pat Panetta | 12 am to 6 am |
| The Garden Clinic | Sandra Ross Graham Ross | 6 am to 8 am |
| Life and Technology | Charlie Brown | 8 am to 9 am |
| Weekends with Luke Grant | Luke Grant | 9 am to 1 pm |
| The Continuous Call Team | Darryl Brohman Paul Gallen Josh Morris | 1 pm to 10 pm (NRL season) |
| The Two Murrays | Murray Olds Murray Wilton | 1 pm to 6 pm (NRL off-season) |
| Saturday Nights | Simon Owens | 6 pm - 10 pm |
| The Country Music Countdown | Robert Smith | 10 pm to 12 am |
| Program | Presenters | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Overnight | Pat Panetta | 12 am to 6 am |
| The Garden Clinic | Sandra Ross Graham Ross | 6 am to 8 am |
| The House of Wellness | Luke Hines Gerald Quigley Sarah Davidson Zoe Bingley–Pullin Melissa Doyle | 8 am to 9 am |
| Weekends with Luke Grant | Luke Grant | 9 am to 1 pm |
| The Continuous Call Team | Darryl Brohman Mark Riddell Neil Breen | 1 pm to 6 pm (NRL season) |
| The Two Murrays | Murray Olds Murray Wilton | 1 pm to 6 pm (NRL off-season) |
| Healthy Living | Dr. Ross Walker | 6 pm to 9 pm |
| Sunday Night with Bill Crews | Rev. Bill Crews | 9 pm to 12 am |
Fairfax Media Limited ... today announced the completion of the merger of its Fairfax Radio Network ... with Macquarie Radio Network ...