2CA
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | November 14, 1931 in Canberra, Australia |
| Founder | Albert John "Jack" Ryan |
| Headquarters | Canberra , Australia |
Area served | Canberra and Southern Tablelands, New South Wales |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (AM Stereo at 1053 kHz, DAB) |
| Owner | Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters (joint ownership) |
2CA operates as a commercial radio station in the AM band within the Australian capital, Canberra. Ownership is shared between the Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters. The station transmits on AM Stereo at 1053 kHz and is also available on DAB.
Established in 1931 as Canberra's inaugural radio outlet, 2CA initially broadcast on 1050 kHz, switching to 1053 in 1978. Its current "Forever Classic" format features a selection of popular tracks from the 1960s through to the 1980s.
1930s
Albert John "Jack" Ryan, a veteran of the AIF and a former WWI signaller, relocated to Canberra during the late 1920s and opened an electrical repair business in Kingston. He ran an experimental wireless telegraphy station (Callsign: VK2LE), which he upgraded to wireless telephony in early 1930, allowing him to broadcast trial programs locally. Encouraged by favorable audience response, Ryan secured Canberra’s first commercial broadcasting licence.
Launching from Ryan’s shop with a 50-watt transmitter, 2CA officially commenced transmissions on 14 November 1931. In February 1932, Ryan recruited his first broadcasting cadet, George Kenneth Barlin, who would later play a significant role in Canberra’s television industry.
By December 1933, the station had boosted its transmitter power to 500 watts and relocated to a custom-built studio in Molonglo (present-day Fyshwick), situated atop what was known as "Radio Hill."
In February 1937, Ryan attended a commercial radio conference focused on forming a national network. Later that year, he sold 2CA to Denison Estates, proprietors of Sydney’s 2GB. The station then operated under Canberra Broadcasters Ltd as part of the Macquarie Network.
The new ownership promptly constructed a permanent studio at 4 Mort Street in Civic. Prime Minister Joseph Lyons laid the foundation stone on 18 December 1937. This two-storey facility included a large main studio, smaller auxiliary studios, control rooms, workshops, and accommodation for staff.
The upgraded premises opened on 3 June 1938 alongside an increase in transmitter power to 2,000 watts, with the transmitter relocated to Gungahlin. Around this period, Sir Hugh Denison announced plans to expand the Macquarie Broadcasting Service with A£250,000 capital investment, affiliating stations across Australia’s major cities.
Competing with Canberra’s second station, ABC's 2CY (now Radio National), which launched in December 1938 primarily as a relay service offering limited local programming, 2CA extended its broadcast hours considerably. Beginning on 7 October 1938, it introduced Australia’s second continuous overnight service by simulcasting content from South Australian, Western Australian, and New Zealand stations via the Macquarie network—thus becoming Canberra’s first station to operate around the clock.
With World War II imminent, censorship regulations were introduced in August 1939 to protect national security interests. Consequently, detailed program listings ceased publication for over a year starting that month.
1940s
By 1940, wartime programming on 2CA ran daily from 6:30am until 11:30pm and incorporated display advertising to promote its schedule. Daytime content was designed to appeal primarily to women, while evening shows offered relaxation. A nightly "War Diary" segment aired at 10:15pm immediately following BBC News.
In the post-war period of 1946, 2CA established itself as a prominent commercial broadcaster featuring personalities such as Phil Desmond, Len Major, Reg Adams, Bruce Stokes, Graham Connolly, and Rex Morrisby. Although plans were made to resume full-time (24-hour) broadcasting soon after the war, this would not be realised for another two decades.
1950s
In June 1950, manager George Barlin revealed intentions to establish a state-of-the-art studio equipped for simultaneous broadcasting and television production. By 1954, the station had relocated to new facilities at 64 Northbourne Avenue.
The market became more competitive with ABC's 2CN launching in January 1953, which shared premises with 2CY and consequently diminished 2CA's audience share. Further rivalry emerged in January 1957 when Canberra's inaugural drive-in cinema, Starlight in Watson, opened, intensifying competition for both listeners and advertisers. In response, 2CA expanded its advertising slots significantly, extending from early morning at 6am until midnight on weekdays (and 11pm on Sundays), moving beyond its previously limited evening-only schedules.
Though efforts toward television broadcasting began as early as 1950, it was not until May 1958 that Canberra Broadcasters Pty Ltd collaborated with Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Ltd (owners of The Canberra Times) to form Canberra Television Ltd. Both companies invested £45,000 each to enter the television market.
1960s
On 2 June 1962, the television station CTC 7 launched, with 2CA holding a significant shareholding. Six months later, on 18 December, ABC 3 started broadcasting as Canberra’s second TV channel. These developments contributed to a decline in 2CA’s role as the primary source of evening entertainment, prompting a transition from radio dramas toward a format centered on news, music, and informational content.
By the mid-1960s, weekend programming on 2CA emphasized sports and racing coverage. While this approach generated profits, it failed to attract Canberra’s substantial teenage audience, many of whom preferred current music programming from Goulburn's 2GN.
Originally set to end broadcasts on Saturday, 2 December 1967, 2CA instead commenced round-the-clock operations starting Friday, 1 December 1967. Tony Hansen hosted the inaugural midnight-to-dawn shift. The subsequent weekend introduced Party Time, a program that quickly became a local favorite.
Later on, the overnight programming was simulcast on 2XL Cooma, with the combined service branded as "CA-XL."
1970s
On 31 October 1975, 2CC, Canberra’s second commercial radio station, debuted featuring a strong metropolitan music format centered on Top 40 hits and explicitly excluding sports coverage. This positioned it as a direct rival to 2CA. Throughout the late 1970s and much of the 1980s, 2CC dominated local ratings.
In accordance with the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975—which required AM stations in Australia to adopt a spacing of 9 kHz—2CA adjusted its frequency from 1050 AM to 1053 AM in 1978.
On 1 October 1979, the station discontinued horse racing broadcasts and shifted toward a blend of Top 40 and rock music complemented by increased news segments aimed at listeners aged between 18 and 39.
1980s
In June 1982, Macquarie Broadcasting sold the building housing the 2CA studios for $1.5 million to Lewis Development Pty Ltd for hotel construction purposes. By March 1983, coinciding with its fiftieth year of uninterrupted broadcasting, the station had moved into the Jolimont Centre.
Throughout the early part of the decade, multiple format changes occurred at 2CA. On 18 September 1983, it adopted an adult contemporary style targeting audiences over age thirty to distinguish itself from competitors. Under new leadership by Mike Peterson in August 1984, the station embraced the Solid Gold 2CA format featuring popular hits from the years spanning 1963 to 1983.
Beginning on 1 February 1986, both 2CA and rival station 2CC commenced stereo-AM transmissions utilizing a newly installed Nautel transmitter with an output of 5,000 watts located at Mitchell. Concurrently, 2CA enhanced its news programming by offering a combination of local, national, and international reports specifically tailored for Canberra listeners.
In early February of 1988, coinciding with the launch of its supplementary FM license FM104.7, the station transitioned into a 'News Talk' format supported by resources from the Macquarie network.
On 26 February that year, John Fairfax divested Macquarie Radio Network to Queensland-based Sonance Limited. The following day saw FM104.7 and KIX106 (the FM sister station of competitor 2CC) commence official broadcasts after resolving frequency interference challenges; these were pioneering examples of supplementary FM licenses in Australia.
By April of that year, Sonance sold both stations to Austereo for $15 million. June ratings revealed that in its news-talk format, 2CA commanded an audience share of 11.6%, outperforming FM104.7’s share of 9.5%. Station manager Greg St John acknowledged that financial uncertainties following ownership changes had negatively affected promotional activities earlier in the year.
On August 9th, the station rebranded as Light and Easy 1053, adopting an easy-listening format aimed at listeners over thirty-five years old. This branding was reversed back to 1053 2CA on January 2nd, 1989.
1990s
On 29 November 1993, the 2CA studios were evacuated after a vehicle collided with the ground floor of the Jolimont Centre in an attempted bombing, necessitating the evacuation of staff from the first floor using a ladder.
On 20 March 1997, a collaboration between Canberra’s FM stations Mix 106 and Hit 104 was announced. Due to regulations on broadcast ownership, 2CA was required to be sold. This followed the earlier sale of 2CC by Capital City Broadcasters in 1994. Peter Harvie, managing director of Austereo—the parent company of 2CA—confirmed the transaction.
The Capital Radio Network purchased 2CA, adding it to their portfolio which included 2CC, 2GN, and 2XL. Following the acquisition, both 2CA and 2CC moved into new premises located at 52 Hoskins Street, Mitchell.
2000s
On 14 November 2001, 2CA celebrated its 70th year in operation with George Barlin, recognized as its inaugural and longest-serving staff member.
In June 2004, Grant Broadcasters acquired a stake in Radio Canberra Pty Ltd—the owner of both 2CA and 2CC—forming a joint venture with Capital Radio Network. Serving Canberra and the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales—including areas such as Yass, Bungendore, and Queanbeyan—2CA transmits on a robust 5000 Watt AM frequency reaching locations as distant as Braidwood, Cowra, Gundagai, Cooma, and Goulburn. Additionally, it broadcasts digitally via Black Mountain Tower (DAB+) and streams online through www.2ca.com.au along with other digital platforms.
In 2019, the stations relocated to custom-designed studios within the multi-million dollar Canberra Radio Centre on Bellenden Street in Crace.
On 27 September 2021, to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts, 2CA temporarily adopted the branding "2JAB."
Programming
From its establishment until television was introduced to Canberra in 1962, 2CA was the sole commercial radio station in the city. Early programming adopted a magazine-style format that included news segments, light music, game shows, radio dramas, and comedy. Nationally syndicated shows such as Pick-a-box, Nestlé's Theatre Royal, and Caltex Plays were regularly featured. Locally produced content included the 2CA Book Club which presented dramatized novels and For the Defence—a series from the 1950s that recreated authentic criminal trials from both the United States and Britain. Garema Airtime was broadcast live from J.B. Young’s Emporium situated in Garema Place, Canberra.
Local programming
As of April 2024, the station broadcasts a local morning show titled The Classic Breakfast, hosted by Paul Holmes and Gemma from 5:30am until 9:00am; a daytime program with Jordan Bocock airing from 9:00am to 2:00pm; followed by an afternoon drive show presented by Cathy Dinn from 2:00pm to 7:00pm.