2HD
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1925-01-27 |
| Founder | Harry Douglas |
| Headquarters | Sandgate, Newcastle , Australia |
Area served | Newcastle and Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia |
Key people | Guy Ashford (General and Sales Manager), Luke Hetherington (Director of Promotions, Marketing, and Operations), Dave Cochrane (Content Director), Michael Blaxland (Director of News), Ross McClymont (Broadcast Engineer and Technology Specialist) |
| Products | News talk and classic hits radio programming |
| Owner | Bill Caralis (since 1999) |
| Parent | Super Radio Network |
2HD is a radio broadcaster based in New South Wales, Australia, and is part of the Super Radio Network. It delivers a mix of news talk and classic hits programming to audiences in Newcastle, New South Wales and the surrounding Hunter Valley. The station was inaugurated on 27 January 1925 by its founder Harry Douglas—whose initials inspired the call sign—and operates from studios located in Sandgate, sharing facilities with its sister station New FM. As Australia's second-oldest radio outlet, 2HD commenced transmission just hours after Sydney’s 2UE.
1925–1945
The station first aired on 27 January 1925, established by entrepreneur Hugh Alexander McKay Douglas, commonly known as Harry. Douglas was a pioneering figure engaged in automotive ventures and local governance. Initially broadcasting from Hamilton, 2HD later moved to premises on Darby and King Streets before settling into a prominent studio in Sandgate under the ownership of Airsales Broadcasting Company starting in 1930. This location remained the station’s headquarters for nearly five decades.
During the Second World War, 2HD faced a controversial shutdown in 1941 under the National Security Regulations while owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses, amid unsubstantiated accusations of secret transmissions. The station stayed silent until it was acquired by the Australian Labor Party together with the Labor Council of New South Wales, resuming operations on 15 January 1945.
In the 1930s, "Uncle" Rex Sinclair emerged as a prominent figure in local radio entertainment and programming.
1945–1977
Ownership of 2HD remained with the Labor Party and the NSW Labour Council from 1945 through to 1999. For nearly three decades, management was led by Jim Storey, with his wife Twink serving as program director and on-air talent. The station featured announcers such as Harry Randall, Stuart Dibbley, and Tom Delaney.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, 2HD became an inaugural shareholder in local television broadcaster NBN Television.
The station was known for its popular The Good Guys of Life programming style, which it shared with other stations like Sydney’s 2SM. Presenters during this era included Harry Randall, Tom Delaney, Art Ryan, Haff Enegg, Mal Lamonte, John Hill, among others. Later, announcer Geoff Gregory took on roles as program director and host of the Sunday evening show Country Sounds.
Following the conclusion of the Good Guys period, 2HD shifted toward formats such as Easy Alternative and various forms of country. In 1977, after incremental demolition began in 1964 to facilitate road widening, the original Maitland Road Sandgate studios were closed. That year also saw Premier Neville Wran inaugurate a new administrative building nicknamed "the submarine."
1977–today
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, an attempted acquisition of NBN Television triggered changes in ownership at that station; however, the bid was ultimately declined.
After experiencing a decline in audience numbers post-"Good Guys," 2HD achieved its first top ratings position in 1987 by pivoting to a robust news and talk format. This resurgence was driven by key hires such as Pat Barton from 2KO for breakfast programming and Warwick Teece’s successful Openline show. General Manager David Baldwin was instrumental in this revival. The station’s coverage of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, led by Tony Briscoe, garnered a National Radio Award. Throughout the 1990s, 2HD cemented its status as Newcastle’s leading station with breakfast hosts David Collins and Tanya Wilks securing more than eight consecutive survey victories.
Growth continued with the purchase of local FM broadcaster New FM in 1995, prompting internal restructuring. Ownership changed hands in 1999 when Bill Caralis acquired the station from NSW Labor Party and NSW Labour Council interests.
In 1997, 2HD incorporated the John Laws Morning Show into its lineup until Laws departed 2UE in 2007; his successors included Steve Price and later Steve Liebmann. Laws subsequently joined network station 2SM in 2011 with syndication across the Super Radio Network.
Up until 2006, 2HD carried live broadcasts of Newcastle Knights National Rugby League matches but lost these rights following disputes involving BOG, Macquarie Radio Network, and the NRL; coverage then transferred to competitor 102.9 KOFM.
Live transmissions of A-League, Super Rugby, NRL, and AFL resumed in 2018 through a collaboration with Crocmedia.
On 14 May 2021, the station recorded its lowest audience share ever at 6.6%.
Programming
Monday through Friday
- Overnight Talk with Rotating Presenters, Monday (12 am to 5 am)
- Overnight Talk Hosted by Gary Stewart, Monday to Friday (12 am to 5 am)
- Morning Show Featuring Richard King (5 am to 9 am)
- Morning Program with Chris Smith (9 am to 12 pm, broadcast from 2SM Sydney)
- Afternoon Segment with Brent Bultitude (12 pm to 3 pm)
- The Hunter Today Hosted by Dave Cochrane (3 pm to 5 pm, Monday through Wednesday)
- The Hunter Today Hosted by Dave Wright (3 pm to 5 pm, Thursday and Friday)
- Talkin' Sport Broadcast from 2SM Sydney (5 pm to 6 pm)
- Sportsday NSW Presented by Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers (6 pm to 8 pm)
- The Nightline with Cheralyn Darcey (8 pm to 12 am)
Saturday
- Overnight Talk with Dave Sutherland (12 am to 4 am)
- Rotating Hosts (6 am to 12 pm)
- Off The Bench Show (12 pm to 2 pm)
- Barry Hill Program (2 pm to 6 pm)
- David Gubbay Show (6 pm to 12 am)
Sunday
- Overnight Talk with Dave Sutherland (12 am to 4 am)
- Reel Adventures Segment (5 am to 6 am)
- Rotating Hosts (6 am to 12 pm)
- Tony Vidray Show (12 pm to 6 pm)
- Cherilyn Darcey Program (6 pm to 12 am)
Key Staff
- Guy Ashford – General and Sales Manager
- Luke Hetherington – Director of Promotions, Marketing, and Operations
- Dave Cochrane – Content Director at 2HD
- Michael Blaxland – Director of News
- Ross McClymont – Broadcast Engineer and Technology Specialist