Broadcast Operations Group
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founder | Bill Caralis |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Regional New South Wales and Queensland, Australia |
Key people | Bill Caralis (founder and proprietor, deceased 2024) |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
Broadcast Operations Group is a media enterprise based in Australia that manages radio stations throughout regional areas of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Operating under the Super Radio Network brand, the company offers two primary programming styles: a news talk and classic hits format anchored by 2SM Sydney, and a hot adult contemporary format centered at New FM Newcastle.
In June 2019, the Group expanded its portfolio by purchasing 2BS and B-Rock FM located in Bathurst from owners Ron and Stephanie Camplin. Following the acquisition, 2BS replaced The Ray Hadley Morning Show with The John Laws Show, which is syndicated from 2SM.
Bill Caralis, the company's founder and proprietor, passed away on 19 July 2024 at the age of 81. Later that year in December 2024, Broadcast Operations Group further broadened its reach by acquiring stations from Coastal Broadcasters in Far North Queensland.
Radio stations
As of , Broadcast Operations Group oversees a total of 50 radio outlets. The AM network consists of twenty-two stations primarily transmitting on AM radio, featuring local news, music, and syndicated talkback shows:
- 2AD 1134 Armidale
- 2BH 567 Broken Hill
- 2BS 95.1 Bathurst
- 2DU 1251 Dubbo, 972 Cobar
- 2EL 1089 Orange
- 2GF 89.5 Grafton
- 2HC 639 Coffs Harbour (also available on 100.5 FM)
- 2HD 1143 Newcastle, with additional frequencies at 97.5 FM Port Stephens and 90.5 FM Lake Macquarie
- 2LF 1350 Young, supplemented by frequencies serving Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell, and Temora
- 2LM 900 Lismore and 104.3 Kyogle
- 2MG 97.1 Mudgee and 101.5 Kandos
- 2MO 1080 Gunnedah and 103.3 Coonabarabran
- 2NZ 1188 Inverell
- 2PK 1404 Parkes
- 2RE 88.9 Taree
- 2SM 1269 Sydney
- TMFM 95.5 Tamworth
- 2VM multi-frequency network covering Moree/Narrabri and nearby regions
- 4GY serving Gympie/Noosa areas
- 4AK covering Oakey/Toowoomba/Stanthorpe regions
- Cruze FM broadcasting to Kempsey/Port Macquarie areas
- Radio 97 serving Murwillumbah/Mullumbimby/Gold Coast frequencies
The FM network includes sixteen stations focusing mainly on adult contemporary music alongside syndicated programming:
- 4WK frequencies covering Warwick/Toowoomba/Stanthorpe/Dalby
- B-Rock 99.3 Bathurst
- FM92.9 Tamworth
- FM100.3 Armidale
- FM104.7 Grafton
- Gem FM 95.1 Inverell
- Hill FM Broken Hill
- Max FM Taree
- New FM Newcastle
- Now FM multi-frequency network serving Moree/Narrabri region
- Real FM Mudgee
- Roccy FM Young
- The Rok Parkes
- Triple G Gunnedah
- Zoo FM Dubbo
- ZZZ FM Lismore
In addition to these, the Group operates four DAB+ digital radio channels in Sydney that simulcast alongside 2SM:
- Fun Super Digi (classic hits)
- Dance Super Digi (1990s–2000s dance music)
- Gorilla Radio (electronic dance music)
- Zoo Super Digi (adult contemporary)
Moreover, eight stations located in Alice Springs and Far North Queensland function independently from the Super Radio Network feeds:
- In Alice Springs: 8HA, Sun FM, and Tourist Gold provide adult contemporary, contemporary hit radio, and tourist information/classic hits formats respectively.
- Across Innisfail, Mareeba, Port Douglas, Ravenshoe, Normanton, and Croydon areas, several full-service and country music stations operate including Kool FM, 4AY, and Kik FM.
Senate Inquiry
During a Senate Inquiry focused on Regional Radio, the BOG came under scrutiny due to worries about diminishing local content caused by station networking. Bill Caralis was called to appear at several hearings across the country but failed to attend any.
Local Content
In October 2009, ABC's Media Watch criticized Broadcast Operations Group for lacking sufficient local programming on three stations—2HC Coffs Harbour, 2EL Orange, and 2PM Port Macquarie—that were broadcasting the Grant Goldman breakfast show from 2SM Sydney, which did not comply with ACMA licence requirements. Caralis argued that the inclusion of local news, weather updates, and announcements within the show satisfied these obligations. ACMA initiated an investigation, and by November 2009, the stations had introduced a three-hour locally produced weekday program.
Underpayment of staff
BOG has been accused of compensating experienced employees below appropriate levels to cut expenses. In September 2009, following an assessment by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the company was mandated to pay $10,000 in owed wages to a part-time journalist at the Tweed Heads station 2MW, who was performing duties beyond her cadet level classification.