2GB
Encyclopedia
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney
, Australia
broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM
. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.
, 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 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 society was broadcasting on the station as late as 1975.
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.
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 950kHz and moved to 870kHz in 1935 then to 873 in November 1978 when channel separation was reduced from 10kHz to 9kHz.
(∞) Airs on MTR 1377 in Melbourne
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one 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 AdyarTheosophical Society Adyar
The Theosophy Society - Adyar is the name of a section of the Theosophical Society founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875. Its headquarters moved with Blavatsky and president Henry Steel Olcott to Adyar, an area of Chennai in 1883...
, was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, 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, 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. AppletonJohn E. C. AppletonJohn Edward Corby Appleton was an Australian theatre and radio director and actor prominent in the 1950s....
, Lynn Foster, E. Mason Wood, William PowerWilliam PowerWilliam Power may refer to:* William Power , member of the Canadian House of Commons* William Gerard Power , his son, Canadian politician in Quebec...
, E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley. Actors included James RaglanJames Raglan-In Australia:Early in 1935 he was brought out to Australia with the Gabriel Toyne company by J. C. Williamson, playing Laburnum Grove and Michael Egan's The Dominant Sex. During this time he had appeared in the radio serials The Scarlet Pimpernel and Khyber by Edmund Barclay, in both series...
, Lou Vernon, Peter FinchPeter FinchPeter Finch was a British-born Australian actor. He is best remembered for his role as "crazed" television anchorman Howard Beale in the film Network, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor, his fifth Best Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and a...
, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.
In February 1938, the station launched the Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network is the name of the company that owns and operates 2GB and 2CH in Sydney and MTR 1377 in Melbourne. It is a publicly listed company, majority owned by John Singleton. The Chief Executive is Angela Clarke....
, in competition with the Major Network, started by fellow Sydney station 2UE
2UE
2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
.
In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 2GB provided transcription records to the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
's network of radio stations in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and the Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
.
On 27 August 1955, station announcer Ted Harris
Ted Harris
Ted Harris may refer to:*Ted Harris , professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League*Ted Harris , songwriter in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame*Ted Harris...
, aided by American Ted Schroeder
Ted Schroeder
Frederick Rudolph "Ted" Schroeder was an American tennis player who won the two most prestigious amateur tennis titles, Wimbledon and the U.S. National. He was the No. 1-ranked American player in 1942 and the No. 2 for 4 consecutive years, 1946 through 1949...
, became the first man to give a direct ball-by-ball description of the Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
from Forest Hills
Forest Hills
- Cities or census-designated places :United States* Forest Hills, Kentucky* Forest Hills, Michigan* Forest Hills, North Carolina* Forest Hills, Pennsylvania* Forest Hills, TennesseeSouth Africa* Forest Hills, Kloof, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal...
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
Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...
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
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
company Associated Television
Associated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
. 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 society was broadcasting on the station as late as 1975.
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.
Callsign and frequency
The number 2 of the callsign refers to the state of New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
which also has postcodes starting with 2. The two letters GB indicate an AM
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
station, and were chosen to honour the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno
Giordano Bruno
Giordano Bruno , born Filippo Bruno, was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. His cosmological theories went beyond the Copernican model in proposing that the Sun was essentially a star, and moreover, that the universe contained an infinite number of inhabited...
who was much admired by Theosophists. Its original frequency allocation was 950kHz and moved to 870kHz in 1935 then to 873 in November 1978 when channel separation was reduced from 10kHz to 9kHz.
Weekday Presenters
- Breakfast with Alan JonesAlan Jones (radio broadcaster)Alan Belford Jones AO is an Australian radio broadcaster, former rugby union and rugby league coach and administrator.Jones hosts Sydney's most popular breakfast radio program, on radio station 2GB...
- Mornings with Ray HadleyRay HadleyRaymond Morris Hadley OAM is an Australian talkback radio broadcaster. He presents 2GB Sydney's morning show, and leads the Continuous Call Team, a rugby league-based talkback radio panel program.-Early Life:...
- Afternoons with Chris Smith (∞)
- Sydney Live with Ben FordhamBen FordhamBen Fordham is an Australian journalist and radio presenter.Fordham is currently a sport presenter on the Nine Network's Today and drive presenter on 2GB.-Career:...
- Money News with Ross Greenwood (∞)
- The Super Show (Peter Switzer)
- Night-time with Brian Wilshire
- Australia Overnight with Michael McLaren (∞)
- Wake Up Australia with Andrew Moore (Mon-Wed) & Luke Bona (Thurs & Fri) (∞)
Weekend Presenters
- Weekend Overnight with Mike Williams (∞)
- The Garden Clinic with Graham, Sandra & Linda (∞)
- Home Improvement with Scott CamScott CamScott Cam is an Australian television personality appearing on several lifestyle programmes on the Nine Network.-Early career:Scott is a qualified carpenter who did a three-year apprenticeship with his brother’s business....
(Saturdays), Simon Stevenson (Sundays) & Luke Bona (∞) - Real Estate with Mark Moraza and Warren Moore (∞)
- The Bounce - AFL Brad McEwanBrad McEwanBrad McEwan is an Australian television personality and sports journalist.McEwan is currently sports presenter on Sydney's Ten News at Five and probably best known for his hosting duties on Network Ten's Sports Tonight....
& Chris Radburn (∞) - The Continuous Call TeamContinuous Call TeamThe Continuous Call Team is an Australian radio sports program, covering the news and live games of the National Rugby League. It is produced and broadcast by 2GB Sydney, and is relayed to stations in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and Papua New Guinea.The team have...
with Ray HadleyRay HadleyRaymond Morris Hadley OAM is an Australian talkback radio broadcaster. He presents 2GB Sydney's morning show, and leads the Continuous Call Team, a rugby league-based talkback radio panel program.-Early Life:...
, Steve "Blocker" Roach, Bob "Bozo" FultonBob FultonRobert "Bob" Fulton AM is an Australian rugby league football identity. Fulton played, coached, selected for and has commentated on the game with great success at the highest levels and has been named amongst Australia's greatest rugby league players of the 20th century.As a player Fulton won...
, Darryl "The Big Marn" BrohmanDarryl BrohmanDarryl Brohman is an Australian former rugby league footballer, commentator and media personality. Brohman is best known for his time playing for the Penrith Panthers and the Queensland rugby league team...
, Andrew Moore, Don Moseley and Joel CaineJoel CaineJoel Caine is a retired Australian rugby league player.Caine's position of choice was as a or on the .He played for St. George Dragons, Balmain Tigers and Wests Tigers in the NRL... - Wheeler On WHEELER! with Glenn Wheeler (∞)
- Health & Wellbeing with Luke Bona (∞)
- Your Health with Dr. Graham Malouf (∞)
- Sunday Nights with Rev. Bill Crews (∞)
(∞) Airs on MTR 1377 in Melbourne
Macquarie Radio Network
- Macquarie Radio NetworkMacquarie Radio NetworkMacquarie Radio Network is the name of the company that owns and operates 2GB and 2CH in Sydney and MTR 1377 in Melbourne. It is a publicly listed company, majority owned by John Singleton. The Chief Executive is Angela Clarke....
owns both 2GB and 2CH2CH2CH is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia, at 1170 kHz AM. It broadcasts an oldies format, and is aimed to an older age demographic...
. - Macquarie National NewsMacquarie National NewsMacquarie National News is the name of the news service provided by Macquarie Radio Network Pty Ltd. It reaches both Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, through the radio stations 2GB, 2CH, MTR 1377 and SEN 1116. However, it also has broader reach through LIVENEWS.com.au, the websites of the...
is the name of the news service of the Macquarie Radio Network, and is taken by various stations including 2KY, MTR 1377 and SEN 1116SEN 1116SEN 1116 , the acronym standing for Sports Entertainment Network, is a commercial AM radio station based in Melbourne, Australia, operating on 1116 kHz...
.
Former Presenters
- Brian CarltonBrian CarltonBrian Carlton is an Australian radio announcer, producer and journalist.-Biography:Carlton was born in Australia, into a Catholic household. He grew up in Beacon Hill, a suburb of Sydney's Northern Beaches, finishing high school in 1980. Working several jobs, including a bank manager, he entered...
(now The SpoonmanThe SpoonmanThe Spoonman was an Australian late night talk back show hosted by radio personality Brian Carlton. Carlton used the alias "The Spoonman" on the show, which was syndicated on the Triple M network across Australia...
on Triple MTriple MThe Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
Sydney) - Jack DaveyJack DaveyJohn Andrew Davey was a New Zealand-born star of Australian radio in the 1930s, '40s and '50s.-New Zealand:Jack Davey was born John Andrew Davey on 8 February 1907 and educated at King's College, Auckland...
- Bob DyerBob DyerRobert "Bob" Dies OBE , who took the stage name of Bob Dyer, was an American-born vaudeville entertainer, radio personality, and radio and television quiz show host who made his name in Australia. Dyer is best known for the long-running radio and then television quiz show, Pick a Box...
- Terry Dear
- Ken Howard (race caller)
- John Tapp (race caller)
- John Pearce
- Gwen PlumbGwen PlumbGwen Plumb AM BEM was a veteran Australian performer of stage, radio and television.-Biography:Gwendoline Jean Plumb was born in 1912...
- Andrea
- Dita Cobb
- Ian McRae
- Grant GoldmanGrant GoldmanGrant Goldman is an Australian radio and TV personality. Goldman began his radio career at the age of 14, and has worked for numerous stations, including 2TM, 2GB, 2UE, 2WS, and 2DAY. He was educated in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, and is married with 6 children and 3 grandchildren,...
- Tim WebsterTim WebsterTim Webster is a Australian television and radio personality. He currently is a fill-in presenter for Ten News....
(now with 2UE2UE2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
) - Malcolm T. ElliottMalcolm T. ElliottMalcolm T. Elliott is an Australian radio personality.-Early life and education:Malcolm T. Elliott was born Malcolm Allan Elliott at Moreland, Victoria, on 13 May 1946.-Career:...
- John LawsJohn LawsRichard John Sinclair "John" Laws, CBE , an Australian radio presenter, sometimes known as Lawsie, was from the 1970s until his retirement in 2007, the host of a hugely successful morning radio program, which mixed music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback...
- Mike CarltonMike CarltonMike Carlton is an Australian media commentator and broadcaster. He formerly co-hosted the daily breakfast program on Sydney radio station 2UE with Peter FitzSimons and later Sandy Aloisi. He is a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald, having been sacked from the position on 29 August 2008, for...
(now with The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
) - Bob RogersBob Rogers (disc jockey)Bob Rogers OAM is an Australian disc jockey and radio broadcaster. He currently presents the Bob Rogers Show, Monday to Friday between 9am-12 noon and the 6-hour Saturday evening Reminiscing program on Sydney radio station 2CH....
- Peter HandPeter HandPeter Hand is an Australian radio personality and journalist, known for campaigning for reform in Australian radio, particularly commercial talk stations.- Early life :...
- Owen Delaney (Australia Overnight)
- Phillip Clark
- Jason MorrisonJason Morrison (radio broadcaster)-History:Jason was born in 1971 and raised in Hornsby, which is a suburb of Sydney's North. He went to St. Leo's College at Waitara and is Catholic. He has given little away about his family but has revealed that his father is an Engineer and his mother is a Librarian.He trained at 2GB in a...
(now with 2UE2UE2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
) - Murray Wilton (now with 2UE2UE2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
) - Jim Ball
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