That is an extremely conservative estimate, a discussion I had on hear about 18 months ago, somebody hinted that he wouldn’t sell 2SM by it self for under $50 million. So I would most probably say the entire network would go for about $350 to $500 million, this is also in consideration that Bill is not wanting to sell, so whoever would be interested would really have a job on their hands in convincing Bill to sell.
If it was up to me, I wouldn’t let that arrogant twot anywhere near a microphone, the few times I heard him, he seems to be a rather agitated, angry man, and wow, that moment when he went ballistic towards Justin Kelly during the Athens 2004 Olympics just showed him in his true colours. He’s as judgemental as hell, and pretty much easily fits into the same half sinking boat as Alan Jones and John Laws.
In the hypothesis that I could buy the network, I would turn the programming into an equivalent of Classic Hits 2UW, with some of the shifts turned into a music / talkback combination. Marcus Paul, Mike Carlton, and an attempt of stealing Linda Mottram from the ABC would be my go. They’re great personalities who are able to engage with all fads of society, and not just with their “circle of cliques”.
In the time of Linda Mottram doing mornings on the ABC, I was able to get on air about three times to discuss some issues, Ray hadley just talks and barks over people, sometimes screaming and squealing like a child (gotta dig out that tape I have of him loosing it).
Mike Carlton and Marcus Paul come across as well balanced, neither being right wing nutters, nor tree hugging lefties, it’s good to get some debate from the middle ground, something that Paul and Carlton always done quite well. James O’Lachlan (old abc announcer) would have been good too for more towards down tempo evening entertaiment and quiz games. Chris Bath would be another possibility as well, she was relatively free of the political rubbish, and would be great for a life style weekend host.