2GB

2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. In 2010, 2GB held 14.7% of the total radio ratings share, making it the most widely listened-to radio station in Sydney.

History

The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926. The operator, Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd, owned by interests associated with the local branch of Theosophical Society Adyar, was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney area.

In 1933, 2GB became the first Australian station to play transcription records, and had the world's largest transcribed record library at the time.

In 1936, the controlling interest in the station was purchased by Denison Estates Ltd. A new board of directors was appointed under chairman Sir Hugh Denison and included Frederick Daniell and A. E. Bennett, who continued as station manager.

In what radio historian Richard Lane termed "The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama", Denison and his media adviser Daniell inaugurated the B.S.A. Players (for Broadcasting Service Association), renamed Macquarie Players in 1938. Apart from locally-written and produced serials such as Dolly and Dan and Doctor Mac, they presented a full-length drama on Sunday afternoons. Writers included John E. C. Appleton, Lynn Foster, E. Mason Wood, William L. Power (who dramatised Helen de Guerry Simpson's Boomerang, a series on "Famous Escapes", and Tales Told to Peter and Pam, a popular children's series), E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley. Actors included James Raglan, Lou Vernon, Peter Finch, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.