2NM
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | January 14, 1954 in Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia |
| Founder | Ken Robinson (station manager who named 2NM) |
| Headquarters | Muswellbrook , Australia |
Area served | Upper Hunter Valley region, New South Wales, Australia |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (adult contemporary and classic hits) |
| Owner | ARN (Australian Radio Network) |
| Parent | ARN |
| Website | www |
2NM (marketed as 981 2NM) operates as a regional radio broadcaster catering to the Upper Hunter Valley region in New South Wales, Australia. Headquartered in Muswellbrook, its transmission area includes Muswellbrook, Singleton, Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi, and surrounding communities.
The station transmits on the 981 kHz AM frequency via a transmitter situated near the Bengalla coal mine along Bengalla Road. Its production facilities are co-located with sister outlets 98.1 Power FM and the narrowcast channel 87.6MHz KIX Country at 56 Brook Street, Muswellbrook. This location replaced the previous studios at 100 Bridge Street in October 2018, with the inaugural live broadcast from the new premises airing on 29 October 2018. Owned by ARN, 2NM programs an adult contemporary and classic hits playlist spanning music from the 1960s through to current releases, with a particular emphasis on tracks from the 1970s to 1990s aimed at an older listener base. The station features a mix of local, rural, and national news updates, a daily show focused on regional affairs, plus syndicated content sourced from Sydney's 2GB and other Nine Radio affiliates. Live programming is broadcast weekdays from 6am to 6pm and weekends from 6am to noon originating from Muswellbrook studios; outside these hours, music runs on automation.
1937–1950s – 2CK Cessnock
Initially licensed in Cessnock under the name 2CZ by Coalfields Broadcasting Co Pty Ltd, the station adopted the call sign 2CK prior to its launch on 9 January 1937. Operating at 1460 kHz with a power output of 300 watts, it was overseen by manager Albert Ryan.
Serving primarily the mining workforce and affiliated with the Australian Coal and Shale Employees' Federation, 2CK broadcast mining news bulletins at key intervals each day based on reports from mine authorities. Its schedule began as early as 5:30am to align with local industrial shifts, featuring Australia's first national news segment at 5:45am sourced from the Newcastle Herald. Programming encompassed local news coverage, racing updates syndicated from 2UW, exclusive airing of the Daily Telegraph Sports Parade, along with other regionally relevant shows. Broadcast hours extended Monday to Friday from 5:30am to 11am and again from 5:30pm to 10pm; Saturdays until 11pm; and Sundays between 9am and 10pm.
The station ceased broadcasting after its studios were destroyed by fire overnight following a transmission; the incident was attributed to an announcer leaving a heater switched on when departing for Maitland.
1937–1950s – 2HR Singleton/Maitland
The Upper Hunter area’s station, known as 2HR, was launched by Hunter River Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. on 30 August 1937. Ownership included interests such as the Singleton Argus newspaper and members of the Robinson family. In 1940, operations relocated to Lochinvar, near Maitland.
1954–1980s – 2NM Muswellbrook / 2NX Newcastle
During the 1950s, Hunter Broadcasters acquired both stations and repositioned them to serve new audiences. The license and transmitter for 2HR were transferred to Bolwarra to cover the Newcastle market under the rebranded callsign 2NX. Meanwhile, the former 2CK license was reassigned to Muswellbrook and became known as 2NM.
Station manager Ken Robinson derived these call letters from his Australian Army identification—using NX for Newcastle and NM signifying Newcastle Muswellbrook. The official launch of 2NM occurred on 14 January 1954 from premises near Muswellbrook.
In 1971, ownership passed to the Catholic Broadcasting Company, affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. While daytime programming remained distinct, after-hours (from 6pm) saw 2NM simulcast content from 2NX under brandings such as 2NXNM or Upper Hunter 2NX.
Frequency changes followed nationwide adjustments: in 1978 shifting from 1460 to 1458 kHz; then in 1980 moving to 981 kHz to enhance reception across Upper Hunter. A new transmitter rated at 5000 watts was installed close to Bengalla coal mine. The original transmission tower remained standing until its removal in 2009, though its building still exists. The vacated frequency (1458 kHz) was reassigned to ABC NewsRadio serving Newcastle.
The overnight simulcast arrangement ended in July 1989 when Newcastle’s inaugural FM station, New FM, attracted listeners away from 2NX, prompting a strategic format revision for competitiveness.
1990s–2021 – Autonomy and Growth
During the early 1990s, Grant Broadcasters acquired the station and moved its studios to Muswellbrook. Renowned for nurturing broadcasting talent such as Brendan Jones (4MMM, WSFM), Jamie Angel (2MMM Content Director), and Paul "The Bull" Stanley, 2NM successfully broadened its audience reach.
In the mid-1990s, Power FM was launched on 98.1 MHz—a frequency notably similar to 2NM's own—enabling 2NM to concentrate its programming toward an older listener base.
By 2009, both stations had adopted online streaming, significantly expanding their accessibility beyond conventional radio waves.
2021–present – Transition to ARN Ownership
In November 2021, the Australian Radio Network (ARN) completed the acquisition of 2NM along with other Grant Broadcasters outlets. This transaction grants Grant’s stations, including 2NM, entry to ARN’s iHeartRadio platform within regional areas. The acquisition was officially concluded on 4 January 2022. While joining ARN’s Pure Gold Network, 2NM will maintain its established brand identity.
Programming
| Time | Show |
|---|---|
| 6.00am–10.00am | "Breakfast with Bear" |
| 10.00am–12.00pm | "The Morning Show" with Al |
| 1.00pm–5.00pm | "The Drive Home" with Pete |
| 5.00pm–6.00pm | The Christian O'Connell Show |
| 6.00pm–7.00pm | JAM Nation with Jonesy and Amanda |
| 7.00pm–9.00pm | 20/20 Retro Countdown with Andrew Thain |
Coverage Area
Broadcasting from a 5-kilowatt transmitter, 2NM primarily serves the Upper Hunter Valley region in New South Wales, covering the shires of Muswellbrook, Singleton, and Upper Hunter Shire. Its signal reaches eastward to Maitland and has been promoted by 2GB as an alternative source for rugby league coverage following programming changes at former affiliate 2HD in 2006.
Under optimal atmospheric conditions, the station's transmission is known to travel extensive distances, with reception reports extending as far as New Zealand and various locations across New South Wales.
Former jingles and slogans
- In the Hunter Valley, north to Tamworth, east to the Barrington Tops and west to Cassilis, this is 981 2NM – used following the frequency change in 1980
- Upper Hunter 2NX – employed during periods simulcasting with 2NX
- 2NXNM – utilized during times of simulcast with 2NX