The radio thunder from Down Under is celebrating the Big 1-0-0.
Nov. 23, 1923, a radio station in Sydney with the call sign 2SB came on the air featuring a musical program. Behind the operation was a national weekly newspaper co-owned by Clyde Packer, the founder of the Packer family media and more dynasty.
To demonstrate radio’s bright Aussie feature, only 12 days later a competitor, 2FC, hit the air, backed by newspapers including the Sydney Morning Herald. There were no ratings available then so no one is sure which had the most listeners.
The Australian radio industry group Commercial Radio and Audio has devoted a whole section of its website to this centennial including a YouTube video, “CRA 100 Years of Radio,” some economic numbers on radio’s impact, an interesting timeline for the history buffs and more.
There are currently 260 commercial stations across the continent with 220 of those focusing on regional and local audiences.
Happy birthday and congratulations.
Related:
CRA pays tribute to Australian commercial radio
Aussie metro commercial radio revenue largely steady
Australian commercial radio growing across all audio platforms