Super Radio Network

My google found them and said it uses Radioapp right now.

I dont have radio app on my phone but the Google Nest Hub Max defaults to it for local Aussie stations.

This scenario of significant changes in a business when the big boss steps down or passes on is nothing new. One example is the company that publishes The Phantom comics in Australia, Frew Publications. When their managing director passed away in 2013, the business was taken over by the MD’s son and the business was later sold. Previous management were not too keen to do anything other than print a fortnightly comic in black and white. No colour editions or anything like that. Nowadays they still just publish the Phantom but they do colour editions and some other things. I’m guessing with new management at BOG, I won’t be surprised if there are major changes at 2SM and some of the bigger regional stations.

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The deadshit in the comments spouting “go woke go broke”. Facebook is turning boomers’ brains to mush.

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The owners should shut all social media down for the time being, get their strategies and marketing locked away, ignore the naysayers, but above all, just enjoy the ride. The network’s regional foundations are solid, if they want to spend money on SM then do so. Have a 5-10 year plan, digital strategy must be near the top, and chip away.

There are a stack of quality people regionally who can continue to run that part of the network - focus on SM and HD, and give NEW the confidence and resources it needs. Then it’s game on.

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Also worth pointing out that “the network is not for sale” does not mean individual assets aren’t.

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So after seeing the bits and pieces around SM this week, it does make me wonder if Laws decision was helped by the new management broom

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I’d say Laws was only there because of his good relationship with Bill - allowing John to do and say whatever he feels. John has even mentioned it. He enjoys not being told what to say and do like he was when at 2UE.

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I wonder if Talkin Sport will survive considering that my understanding is that it’s brokered programming.

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I have a feeling that’s the reason why Hi-Tide wrapped up.

I’m guessing Graham’s first project is to ensure all money coming in, comes to Head Office (which as a corporation makes sense).

I briefly tuned into the evening show last night . Apropos of a caller from Temora, Stewart mentioned that he’d be listening on 2LF, then proceeded to mention the frequencies for ROCCY translators at Cowra and Cootamundra (rather than the 2LF ones). Oddly no mention of the Temora translators, though last I heard they were still sounding awful. To make matters worse, he then mentioned ‘2GF 1206 and 103.9’…

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What was on-air in place of Hi-Tide this morning? Extended mid-dawns & an earlier start for Brent Bultitude?

Brent Bultitude from 6am I think, don’t know what was on before then, & I can’t remember if Hi-Tide started at 5am or 6am before though?
Good move in my opinion, there’s a few more shows I’d get rid of too, off the network.

Bill was more about the property the stations owned & sat on, with the radio just being a play toy, seems like the kids might have found the network worthless as a business for ongoing or sale, & they are more interested in the Radio & making it what it should be, with if they sell at some stage in the future, then having the radio worth something & any property that geos with it being a bonus.

Would be good if they could somewhat break the network programming up & go more local produced/presented in larger markets, & get 2SM being back to mostly Sydney focused & give 2HD/NEW FM back to Newcastle to compete hard with SCA, though I wouldn’t be against a few network shows still coming out of Newcastle if they were decent.
The FM network for smaller markets where lots of local doesn’t make sense (financially or getting talent who want to work there, which is a big issue these days, no one wants to work regionally any more, even if you’ve just started in radio, most want to work in Metro on big $ straight away), can still come of of Newcastle as it’s in a different studio to NEW FM anyway, just totally separate NEW FM programming from FM Network programming, so NEW FM is 100% programmed for Newcastle with something that can/will beat SCA.

Studio space at 2SM is somewhat limited as to running separate network & 2SM only programming from 2SM, even though they’re essentially jukeboxes, I believe the DAB stations each play out of a studio at 2SM, also anyone who works out of 2SM are going to want more money to do the program, due to living in Sydney costs over someone living in Newcastle or nearby & doing the network show from 2HD/NEW FM.

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The way I see it, is they need to make 2SM the ‘programming hub’ for the network, even whilst the Head Office/admin is at Radio97. Reason for this, is the better (and more) talent is likely to be Sydney-based (rather than Newcastle-based). I would have a major metro station run quality programming, rather than making a provincial city provide provincial/regional quality programming to an entire network. One can argue that SCA is doing this - but I assure you, SCA’s provincial programming is highly likely being led by the major metro markets, making a better quality station across the country.

As for the music network - I do hope they develop more than just “FM network” and break it down further - for older music markets & younger music markets, essentially creating 3x networks. AM, FM classic hits and FM CHR.

One can only hope.

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Totally agree. They need to have an FM classic hits network to complement the CHR FM network in markets where they have 2x FMs. The AM network should really then only be 2SM and 2HD, and maybe Radio 97. Although even that would probably be better off as classic hits, especially if it can fully convert to FM.

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Did Brent make any mention of Hi Tide this morning? Or simply cover it up?

Nothing what I heard, just regular programming, I never heard any callers mention or ask about it not being on either, but I was only listening for about the first 45 minutes after 6am, so I wouldn’t say it was covered up, just probably no one cared & I’d probably agree, I don’t think it would’ve rated much or at all, it would’ve been one of those minimal cost, probably no contract, verbal agreement deals to Bill, just to fill some air space on weekend mornings (early)?

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If that’s the case who’s been paying for the air time?
Will it survive. Who knows. Perhaps as long as those furnishing it keep paying for the air time it might.

But yes more local content is needed in each market. Let’s not forget they got into trouble a number of years ago for that kind of thing.

The issue with that sort of programming is two things:

  1. Similar to Talkin’ Sport and AFL/NRL/A-League calls on SRN, not all of the audience enjoys listening to these shows - and many have set their times to switch off & on when regular talkback returns.
  2. Hi-Tide was followed by another SEN-based fishing show. A bit of an overkill.

Hopefully the new direction leans towards a more consistent product offering - with no more “random” pre-recorded programs from SEN such as Supercars, lawn bowls, etc.

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Given the collection of stations, it’s hard to see how you could sell the network to anyone in a complete form unless they’re a new market entrant. Nearly every existing media player would need to either pass over assets or on-sell them in a buyout.

While there isn’t a great market for media outlets at the moment, I can’t imagine that trying to sell SRN in its current form would return even close to a reasonable value for what it is. Attempting to turn it into something more functional might help that.

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I think ARN could take the NSW network minus 2SM itself?

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