Melbourne Talk Radio
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Predecessor | 3MP |
| Founded | April 19, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Pacific Star Network and Macquarie Radio Network |
| Defunct | March 2, 2012 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; frequency reverted to 3MP |
| Successor | 3MP |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Melbourne metropolitan area |
Key people | Steve Price (Program Director and breakfast host), Russell Tate (Macquarie Radio Network CEO) |
| Products | Talkback radio programming on 1377 kHz AM frequency |
| Owner | Melbourne Radio Operations Pty Ltd (joint venture of Pacific Star Network and Macquarie Radio Network) |
Melbourne Talk Radio (callsign 3MP) was a radio broadcaster based in Melbourne that commenced transmissions on 19 April 2010 and discontinued service on 2 March 2012. Operating on the 1377 kHz frequency, it initially replaced 3MP and was subsequently succeeded by the same. The station transmitted from a Rowville-based facility with an output power of 5 kW.
History
In December 2009, Pacific Star Network partnered with Macquarie Radio Network, the proprietor of Sydney’s leading talkback station 2GB, to establish a joint venture named "Melbourne Radio Operations Pty Ltd" aimed at delivering radio content in Melbourne. This collaboration led to the launch of MTR 1377, a conservative talkback station, in April 2010—taking over the AM frequency from 3MP—to challenge the established presence of 3AW.
At its debut in April 2010, breakfast host and Program Director Steve Price described the station’s approach as "in your face, controversial, opinionated." Despite this branding, MTR struggled to maintain a consistent listener base and was mockingly referred to as "Men Talking Rubbish."
The station’s operations were based on Swan Street in Richmond, sharing premises with its sister sports channel SEN. Management later indicated that limited signal coverage in Melbourne’s peripheral suburbs contributed to the station’s underperformance, though an overestimation of potential audience size was identified as the main cause.
Closure
By November 2011, MTR was confronted with potential shutdown triggered by low ratings and legal conflicts concerning program syndication with Sydney’s 2GB. Amid increasing financial losses, Macquarie Radio Network CEO Russell Tate advocated for a streamlined management approach. The station incurred a $6.2 million deficit within its initial year.
In February 2012, Macquarie initiated litigation against Pacific Star following delays in budget approvals. By March, a default notice was issued by Macquarie demanding full settlement of outstanding payments. Operations ceased and administration proceedings began on 2 March 2012. The original broadcaster on the 1377 frequency, which had transitioned to digital-only under the name 3MP MyMP during MTR’s operation, recommenced transmission.
Former Presenters
- Breakfast hosted by Steve Price
- Mornings with Steve Vizard
- Afternoons presented by Chris Smith (∞)
- Drive time with Luke Grant
- Money News featuring Ross Greenwood (∞)
- Night programming with Brian Wilshire (∞)
- Australia Overnight hosted by Michael McLaren (∞)
- Wake Up Australia presented by Andrew Moore (Mon–Wed) & Luke Bona (Thurs & Fri) (∞)
(∞) Simulcast on Sydney’s 2GB.
- Diana Simons, Melbourne-based broadcaster
- Jim Ball
- Martin King
- Glenn Ridge
News
MTR 1377 broadcasted Sydney’s Macquarie National News from 2GB. The Melbourne news bureau was closed in December 2011 as part of cost reduction efforts.