2CC
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | October 31, 1975 |
| Headquarters | Canberra , Australia |
Area served | Canberra and Southern Tablelands, New South Wales |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (AM radio, DAB+, online streaming) |
| Owner | Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters |
| Website | www |
2CC is an AM commercial radio broadcaster located in Canberra, Australia. It commenced transmission on 31 October 1975 at a frequency of 1210 kHz, later adjusting to 1206 kHz in 1978. Ownership is shared between Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters.
History
As Canberra's second commercial radio outlet, 2CC initially aired popular contemporary music and maintained a leading position in local audience ratings throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. The station’s founding leadership comprised General Manager Nicholas Erby and Program Manager Rob McKay. Early daytime hosts included Paul Ramsden, Dean Banks, John Bell, and Jim Pilgrim.
In June 1983, Australian Broadcasting Company Pty Ltd (currently known as ARN) took over 2CC. The station adopted AM stereo transmission in February 1986. By 1988, KIX106—a supplementary licence linked to 2CC—and FM 104.7, associated with sister station 2CA, launched as FM services. During the mid-1990s, ARN collaborated with Austereo to merge their FM assets, leading to the sale of 2CC and later 2CA to Capital Radio Network in 1994 and 1997 respectively. Grant Broadcasters acquired a half share in both stations in 2004. Presently, 2CC features a news talk format.
Operating with a transmitter power of 5,000 watts, the station’s signal covers Canberra and the Southern Tablelands area of New South Wales, reaching locations such as Yass, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Cowra, Gundagai, Goulburn, Cooma, and Braidwood. Additionally, it broadcasts digitally through DAB+ from Black Mountain Tower and streams live via www.2cc.net.au.
Originally situated on Bellenden Street in Crace, the studio later moved to Hoskins Street in Mitchell while maintaining AM transmission towers near the initial site. In August 2019, both 2CC and its sister station 2CA transitioned into a cutting-edge broadcast facility adjacent to their former Crace location following a multi-million dollar development.
Local content
2CC is recognized for offering Canberra’s sole commercial talkback radio format.
Mark Parton joined the station in November 2008 after departing Mix 106.3, initially filling in as a presenter and contributing to marketing efforts. He succeeded Mike Jeffreys as breakfast show host in April 2009. After seven years at the station and a total of 33 years in radio broadcasting, Parton resigned on 30 November 2015 to concentrate on his marketing enterprise PartonMe. His breakfast slot was taken over by Tim Shaw—a former TV personality and sales professional—in January 2016.
In July 2019, the local breakfast program was replaced by the Sydney-based breakfast show from 2GB hosted by Alan Jones; concurrently, Shaw shifted to the afternoon drive show. Jones had been featured on 2CC since 2010 through a highlights package. This programming change attracted criticism for reducing locally produced content to only one weekday program. Shaw resigned one month later after three years with the station.
Since July 2020, Stephen Cenatiempo has been presenting the local breakfast segment.
The majority of daytime and evening shows are syndicated from Sydney with presenters such as Mark Levy, Evan Lucas, John Stanley, and Michael McLaren. From 3pm weekdays, Leon Delaney hosts a three-hour afternoon program. Weekend offerings include Life and Technology (Saturday at noon), House of Wellness (Sunday at noon), and Healthy Living (Sunday evenings).
Locally produced weekend programs feature Garden Gurus, Trading Post, Pet Tales, Canberra Weekender, and Sunday Roast airing from 9am to noon. These shows are hosted by Chris McLengahan, Eddie Williams, Pete Davidson, and Ian Meikle alongside gardening specialists Paulene Cairnduff and Keith Colls; veterinarians Nonna Green and Lucy Fish; as well as pet behaviourist Heike Hahner.
News
2CC provides a round-the-clock news service via its locally operated Capital Radio News Service, offering news updates every 30 minutes starting at 5:30am during the breakfast program and then hourly from 9:00am until 6:00pm on weekdays. On weekends, news bulletins are broadcast every half-hour between 6:00am and 9:00am, followed by hourly updates until noon. Overnight news segments are supplied by Nine Radio.
Sport
Throughout the rugby league season, the Continuous Call Team delivers live NRL coverage sourced from 2GB on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Beginning with the 2019 season in March, 2CC lost the local Canberra Raiders NRL broadcasting rights to 2GB.
2002 plagiarism
In July 2002, allegations of plagiarism were brought against 2CC on the ABC program Media Watch, accusing reporter Kylie Johnson of adapting news stories from radio 666 ABC Canberra by rephrasing them and airing them shortly afterward. Transcript comparisons between ABC Canberra and 2CC broadcasts substantiated these accusations. Neither management nor Capital Radio Network directors offered any statements in response.