It would be be a prime target for Ace Radio to take over. Convert 2SM into a lively 70s & 80s station and allign it with 3XY (renamed from Magic).
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2SM shouldâve really become what 2UE is - a voice-tracked jukebox.
2UE couldâve been re-worked back into a lighter news talk format (similar to what it was pre-Talking Lifestyle).
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Yes, when Bill Caralis first bought 2SM, he was apparently advised by his people to have a predominantly music format, but he insisted it be a talkback format.
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I never quite understood that. I would have thought talkback, even in its cheapest form, would cost more than a music format. Given his apparent lack of interest in spending, paying royalties for music would still be cheaper than mounting a talkback lineup, wouldnât it?
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I agree, but a lot of his decisions do seem to defy logic⌠eg. not seemingly wanting to be more competitive in Newcastle, apparently not wanting to pay rent at some TX sitesâŚ
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And considering the fact a lot of his regional AM stations play a fair amount of music (classic hits) during local hours anyway - apart from 2SM and 2HD.
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Yeah it is confusing, talk radio isnât cheap, they have their own newsroom too. I think it might be his hobby so it isnât all about running a radio station format the cheapest. It may not rate to generate enough revenue to cover all costs.
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At least compared to the Triple M stations the local stations on the SRN have more localism then almost any other network so they contribute more to the training of talent in the industry and do not just do the bare minimum. I know that some stations such as 1089 in Orange only have a few hours of local content but that is more about historical reasons as that station used to pay voice tracked music. I would have the station local during business hours to compete properly with 2GZ. They have a similar station in Coffs Habour which I would do the same.
I have never understood why they use a different presenters for the FM news as it appears to be pre recorded the 2SM presenter could easily do both with the 2SM live and AM network with the FM news pre recorded and sent at 5 to the hour for example. But at least they are a good training ground for the talent with lots moving on to 2GB etc. There is even less opportunities to move into radio then there ever was and if SCA want to make millions out of their regional radio assets they need to give back more to the industry and provide more localism then the bare minimum.
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Of course, that also suggests that the talkback hosts were/are on much to begin with (especially now half of them come out of Newcastle). On the other hand, you have to have a linchpin, and luring the now-late Howard Sattler over from Perth radio (a little past his main 6PR heyday but not by much) as one of the early moves wouldnât have come all that cheap I imagine.
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Itâs not just about cost cutting for Bill. He also wants the power and recognition of being major player. Talkback in Sydney would do that if 2SM wasnât so sub-standard. Heâs previously bragged about how much he was paying Telstra for all the phone lines at 2SM. Having his own news room keeps him in the mid of politicians and other local figures which might want to make a press release and gets him a Canberra bureau inside Parliament House. Even if it doesnât achieve much it makes him feel good.
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Obviously, you seem passionate about SRN from your recent posts.
Itâs a private business, no shareholders. Caralis owns everything, licences, real estate, broadcast and other equipment etc.
That he doesnât seem to care is nothing new.
Fortunately, there is always the option to cease listening.
As much as many of us have suggestions, thoughts and frustrations, he doesnât care. I certainly donât anymore, not only about 2SM but other heritage brands across the country.
Why?
I canât change anything, nor you. Why waste the energy.
Yep, itâs my opinion. Do whatever you wish, just donât expect change, when itâs obvious, that ship has sailed.
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If I could afford it, Iâd love to own and run a radio network for the enjoyment of it and not necessarily to turn a profit. As long as it doesnât burn too much money, Iâd be happy. Iâm sure my decisions about how it runs would baffle people as much as Billâs decisions, but probably for slightly different reasons.
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I would too but I would do things differently compared to the major players one major thing would be to limit all ad breaks to no more than 3 minutes and no more than 3 an hour 1 just before the hourly news one at the half hour for example. I would hope as a result that my shows would rate well so the other stations would need to follow suit. If you listen to SmoothFM for example they always take a break before the news and it goes for at least 5 minutes. Itâs just too long especially when you know the length so you can turn the volume down or change the channel for quite a while and still tune into the news on the hour. Itâs stupid, the listener gets frustrated by the ads and the advertiser gets frustrated as their ad gets lost in the crowd. 2SM is just as bad. But because my station doesnât have to make a profit or not as much of one I can more easily do this sort of thing.
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To all members:
Print this out, laminate it and put it up in your home office. It will serve you well the next time you feel like contributing a superfluous post to MediaSpy!
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I think Iâd rather have this as my mantra 
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No Wonder 2SM is so Vulnerable in itâs Home Market.
Former NSW Origin and Test forward Peter Tunks has disappeared from Radio 2SM after 20 years on the networkâs Talkinâ Sport program over a falling out with host Graeme Hughes.
Tunks is understood to be considering legal action after being told his services were no longer required and then having his name and photo removed from the showâs website.
Hughes is now hosting the show with Gavin Robertson and Brett Papworth on weekday afternoons.
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@JohnsonTV is that all the article has, those three pars?
Canât see as paywall.
The coverage is surprising considering the station would rate under 1% as always has, less being sport seeing the SEN numbers.
Why the Tele bothers with coverage is baffling.
Whilst I do understand the rating system for a long time my gut feel is that 2SM etc has more listeners than you might think, particularly John Laws. A high percentage of their callers seem to be living in Sydney/Newcastle.