In some of their larger markets this might work (although I have my doubts), but SRN operates in a hell of a lot of single operator markets where taking away the music option would leave only Triple J and maybe a community station as options for music.
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Let’s look realistically at the ratings of FM music formats vs AM talk and SEN though…
SEN ratings are miniscule. It would just be suicidal to replace FM music with that. They’d go broke with a handful of listeners.
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I suspect SEN would rate better in many regionals than it does in the metros. Especially with vision of so many sports behind paywalls and regional internet still being a bit of a mess.
Would it rate better than FM music? Probably not. But again my philosophy as an operator would be to run formats I understand and believe in, and run them well, rather than doing a poor job on formats I don’t care about.
As a monopoly commercial operator, I’d actually welcome community stations running formats that I don’t want to run. I’d even be happy to donate to them and maybe do a deal to provide them with access to my local news service if they want it. I think the tension between commercial and community stations hurts both, and there should be more room for cooperation between the two sectors.
But, the Caralis kids haven’t read my thoughts and rung me up demanding I implement it for them. So my fantasy will remain just that. Which this forum will be very happy about.
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Niche radio formats don’t do as well in regional markets. Hence why we see broader playlists for regional stations at present.
If there were more stations, there’d be more choice.
But for now, all we see are stations for the old, and stations for the young. To introduce sport, would mean we’d likely have to sacrifice one of the markets.
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Hi Guys, doing a road trip today and noticed that FM1047 seems to sound great today! Does anyone know if they have upgraded their airchain lately 
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It had always sounded fine on locally sourced programming. The network audio I assume comes from an mpeg2 satellite feed and sounds rubbish.
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From Radioinfo:
The Super Radio Network takes control of Coastal Broadcasters
After being appointed to the Board in October, Despina Priala and George Caralis, the joint owners and managing directors of the Super Radio Network (SRN) have now taken control of Coastal Broadcasters Pty Ltd after the recent resignation of the existing majority board of directors. This completes the transition of Coastal to the SRN umbrella, taking their tally from 42 to 47 commercial radio stations across Australia.
More: https://radioinfo.com.au/news/the-super-radio-network-takes-control-of-coastal-broadcasters/
The stations that have become part of the Super Radio Network as a result of the above include 4KZ, Kool FM, 4AM, 4AY & Kix FM.
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Wish they’d be able to roll out logos like that 4AM one - those are pretty much all gone from the other stations that shared them in the past…
How accurate is that coverage map? 4KZ covering Townsville seems optimistic? Certainly doubt they’d have much hope competing in an already strong market.
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531 kHz goes a long way in the daytime- you can thank the low frequency for that and the near coastal location. If this weren’t the case, it would be quite the (Innis) fail.
I hope ‘the KZ Network’ retains its old school charm, though with them now being under full Caralis control, I’m not optimistic. They have largely left 2BS and B-Rock alone to date, though.
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Bathurst were and still are very fortunate to have never felt Bill’s heavy networking.
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How did Bathurst avoid the networking?
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Probably clauses in the purchase contract.
Bill’s idea of networking was still pretty tame compared to the SCA version - names, playlists and all.
On my road trip up to NQ back in July, I started to get clear in car reception as far south as Bowen, another 200 km south of Townsville, so not a stretch at all to my ears/eyes.
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Don’t know if I ever mentioned this:
When I worked at SCA I saw documents - including what looked like a press release - announcing that SCA had bought BS and BRock. Imagine my surprise a few weeks later…
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Triple Z tonight sounding off balance - favouring sound in the right channel.
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…time General Manager of Super Radio Network station 2LM, as well as ZZZ FM.
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Only a small change, but I noticed over the weekend Super Network newsreaders are now referring to it as, “Super Radio Network News”.
What was it before?
I think it was just ‘Super Network News’?
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Laws’ replacement announced this Friday 13th December (also Ray Hadley’s final day).