An interesting “what if” question:
We would also have a more diverse radio market as well under that scenario, with the three major networks (SCA, ARN & Nova) having a presence across regional Australia instead of just two.
In Townsville for example, Sea FM (Triple M) & Mix FM (Hit) would’ve been owned by SCA instead, with 4TO & Hot FM owned by DMG/Nova, as happened pre-MRR. I would imagine that Nova would maintain the 4TO brand.
Here’s how it would’ve panned out (using pre-SCA & pre-Grant branding):
MSCM/SCA
Sea FM Cairns
Sea FM & Mix FM Townsville
Sea FM Mackay
Sea FM & 4RO Rockhampton
Sea FM Bundaberg
Sea FM & Mix FM Maryborough
CFM & 4GR Toowoomba
CFM Kingaroy (4SB would be sold due to media voices rule, as happened in real life)
Sea FM & Gold FM Gold Coast
Sea FM & 2GO Central Coast
The River Albury
Sun FM & 3SR Shepparton
Sea FM Warragul (3GG would be sold due to media voices rule, as happened in real life)
Sea FM & Heart Hobart
DMG/Nova Entertainment
4CA FM & Hot FM Cairns
4TO FM & Hot FM Townsville
4GC & Hot FM Charters Towers
4LM & Hot FM Mt Isa
4MK FM & Hot FM Mackay
4CC & Hot FM Rockhampton/Gladstone
4ZR & Hot FM Roma
2CS & Star FM Coffs Harbour
2MC & Star FM Port Macquarie
2GZ & Star FM Orange
Star FM Dubbo
2LF & Star FM Young
2WG & Star FM Wagga Wagga
2RG & Star FM Griffith
2AY & Star FM Albury
3BO & Star FM Bendigo
5SE & Star FM Mt Gambier
RadioWest & Hot FM Bunbury, Albany, Esperance, Kalgoorlie etc.
In QLD, ARN (nee Grant) would probably only have the AM stations in Cairns & Mackay, whilst they also have 4BU/Hitz Bundaberg, Zinc/Hot Sunshine Coast, River 94.9 Ipswich, and Hot Tomato Gold Coast (upon acquiring it in 2018).