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2CH

From Alfawiki
2CH
Company typeCommercial radio broadcaster
IndustryRadio broadcasting
Founded1932
Defunct2022
FateCeased broadcasts and closed
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
ProductsRadio broadcasting (classic hits music format)
OwnerSports Entertainment Network (final owner)

2CH was a commercial radio broadcaster based in Sydney, Australia, operating from 1932 until 2022. The station was ultimately under the ownership of Sports Entertainment Network.

History

2CH commenced transmissions on 15 February 1932 at 1210 kHz, subsequently adjusting its frequency to 1190 kHz in September 1935, and then to 1170 kHz in 1952.

Ownership

The station's callsign "CH" signifies "churches," highlighting its foundation by the NSW Council of Churches, which leased the licence to AWA Technology Services in 1944. Programming was provided by AWA six days a week, while the Council managed Sunday broadcasts. By 1991, MLC Limited held a majority 74% ownership. In April 1994, entrepreneur John Singleton purchased the station, incorporating it into the Macquarie Radio Network. The studios were relocated from Sussex Street to Pyrmont in June 2003.

In January 2017, a group including Oceania Capital Partners, Glenn Wheatley, and John Williams acquired 2CH for $5.6 million. This transaction complied with Australian Communications & Media Authority rules restricting ownership to two stations per market following the merger of Macquarie Radio Network and Fairfax Media.

For the financial year ending March 2019, the station recorded a loss of $1.9 million against revenues of $2.4 million. In June 2020, Sports Entertainment Network purchased 2CH for $11 million, maintaining its classic hits music format.

Church thanksgiving

A thanksgiving ceremony marking 75 years of broadcasting by 2CH took place on 18 February 2007 at St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral at 2 pm. The service was led by the Reverend Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, with Rev. Dr. Ross Clifford delivering the sermon.

Transition to 'DAB+ only' radio station and final end

Following its acquisition by Pacific Star in August 2020, 2CH announced it would transition exclusively to digital broadcasting on DAB+.[1] The station simulcast on both DAB+ and AM frequency 1170 kHz until ceasing all broadcasts on 10 June 2022. Streaming continued online until complete closure.

While not the pioneer among Australian 'DAB+ only' stations, 2CH was likely the first to fully surrender its AM broadcast frequency.

Presenter Trevor Sinclair delivered his last AM broadcast on 22 October 2020. Chris Kearns continued broadcasting simultaneously on AM and DAB+ until midnight that day, when the AM frequency was taken over by 1170 SEN, a sports-focused network operated by the Sports Entertainment Network.[2] On 10 June 2022 at 6 pm, live transmissions ended with Jane Nield as the final announcer.[3][4] This marked the conclusion of an eighteen-month period following SEN’s acquisition and an unsuccessful trial on DAB+.[5]

The former AM frequency at 1170 kHz is currently utilized by SEN 1170.[6]

Long-serving presenter Bob Rogers was part of the station from 1995 until his retirement in early October 2020 at age ninety-three.[7]

External links

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