Macquarie Media

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"Macquarie Radio Network" redirects here. For the formerly unrelated Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, see Southern Cross Austereo. For the parent company formerly operating as Macquarie Media Group, see Southern Cross Media Group.
Macquarie Media Limited
Public company (ASX: MRN)
Industry Broadcast radio
Founded 31 March 2015 (31 March 2015)
Headquarters Pyrmont, New South Wales,
Australia
Key people
 Adam Lang, Chief Operating Officer
Parent Fairfax Media (54.5%)
John Singleton Promotions Pty. Ltd. (45.5%)
Website Macquarie Media Limited

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.

Callsign Frequency Location Format Notes
2GB 873 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Sydney, New South Wales News talk
2UE 954 AM
DAB+ 9A		 Sydney, New South Wales News talk
3AW 693 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Melbourne, Victoria News talk
4BC 1116 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Brisbane, Queensland News talk
6PR 882 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Perth, Western Australia News talk
NTS DAB+ 9A (Sydney)
DAB+ 9B		 Sydney, New South Wales
Melbourne, Victoria
Brisbane, Queensland
Perth, Western Australia		 News talk Formerly Fairfax Radio NTS

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

Magic Network

Callsign Frequency Location Branding Format Notes
2CH 1170 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Sydney, New South Wales 2CH Oldies
Easy listening		 Due to ACMA regulation, the station must be divested
3EE 1278 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Melbourne, Victoria Magic 1278 Oldies
Easy listening
4BH 882 AM
DAB+ 9B		 Brisbane, Queensland Magic 882 Oldies
Easy listening		 Formerly branded as 4BH

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

Station Frequency Location Format Fate Notes
MTR 1377 1377 AM
DAB+ 9A		 Melbourne, Victoria News talk Closed in 2012 Joint venture with Pacific Star Network
Hot Country Radio 1611 AM Dalby, Queensland Country music Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
Triple C FM 101.7 FM Charleville, Queensland Adult contemporary Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
4HI 1143 AM Emerald, Queensland Classic hits Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
4LM 666 AM Mount Isa, Queensland Classic hits Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
4SB 1071 AM Kingaroy, Queensland Classic hits Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
4VL 918 AM Charleville, Queensland Classic hits Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015
4ZR 1476 AM Roma, Queensland Classic hits Sold to Resonate Broadcasting in November 2015

Macquarie Media Syndication

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

Music

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News

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News talk

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Sport and special events

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Magic Spark", R.R. Walker, 1973, The Hawthorn Press.
  2. ↑ The Major Network was formed in 1938 by Mr Dave Worrall, manager of 3DB, Melbourne. It lasted until the late 1970s, and included stations in most capital cities, ie 2UE, 3DB, 4BK, 5AD, 6PR, 7HT.
  3. ↑ Other former radio networks include: Federal Network; Associated Broadcasters of Australia; AWA Broadcasting. There were also a number of State-based networks.
  4. ↑ Changing Stations: The Story of Australian Commercial Radio, Bridget Griffen-Foley, UNSW Press, 2009; referenced as Commercial Radio: A Snapshot, CRA, Sydney, 2007
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External links

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