Triple M Newcastle

102.9 Triple M Newcastle (call sign: 2KKO) is an Australian radio station, licensed to, and serving Newcastle and surrounds. It broadcasts at 102.9 megahertz on the FM band from its studios in Newcastle. It is owned by Southern Cross Austereo and Its sister station is hit106.9.

Triple M Newcastle
CityNewcastle, New South Wales
Broadcast areaHunter Valley, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast
Frequency102.9 MHz
Branding102.9 Triple M Newcastle
SloganRock’s Greatest Hits
Programming
FormatActive Rock
NetworkTriple M Network
Ownership
OwnerSouthern Cross Austereo (Radio Newcastle Pty. Ltd.)
History
First air dateAugust 1, 1931 (1931-08-01)
Former call signs2KO (1931–1992)
Former frequencies1415 kHz (1931–1935)
1410 kHz (1935–1978)
1413 kHz (1978–1992)
Call sign meaning2K KOtara from former call sign 2KO
Technical information
ERP20,000 watts
Links
Website

History

The station commenced operations on 1 August 1931 as 2KO, based in the Newcastle suburb of KOtara, hence the call-sign.[1] Founded by Allen Fairhall (later Sir Allen Fairhall) 2KO was licensed to The Newcastle Broadcasting Company. The station operated on 1415 kHz[2] with a transmission strength of 25 watts. The station launched from the backyard of a resident's home, with the licensee's dining room being the only studio the station had at the time. Programs ran from 7 to 10 p.m., later moving into daytime programming. Ten minutes of ad time was sold during the week, selling around 15 pounds ($30 today) of revenue for the station. Chief Engineer was K. N. Greenhalgh AMIRE. Studio & Production Manager was 2KO Chief Announcer Harold Pickhover. Advertising & Merchandising Manager was Keith F. Winser F.O.A.

Two years later in 1933, the station moved its AM transmitter to Sandgate, and was operated from several locations including 72 Hunter Street, Newcastle until January 1937, when new studios and offices in the heart of Newcastle in the CML Building at 110 Hunter Street. In its time on the AM band, the station had its power increased twice, first to 2,000 watts, and then to 5,000 watts, using a directional aerial system.

In the days before television, peak listening time was around 8pm, but with television arriving in the country in the late 1950s, the station had to change formats to survive the new medium. This was even more the case when 2KO's owners at the time, United Broadcasting Company (Australia) (who also owned Sydney's 2UE), itself owned by the local Lamb family, was part of the consortium that brought television to Newcastle, launching NBN Television on channel 3 in 1962.

These changes led to 2KO becoming a Top 40 music radio station. This took the audience by storm, and helped re-established radio as the personal medium.

Until 1978 there was a 10 kHz gap between radio stations. However, the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975 changed this to a 9 kHz gap, thus allowing more stations on the AM band. Therefore, on 23 November 1978, most Australian stations changed their frequencies and 2K0 went from 1430 kHz to 1413 kHz.

In May 1988, 2KO moved to facilities at 252 Pacific Highway Charlestown. KOFM / NXFM use MAESTRO for music play out & Automation after network programs until live assist.

On 12 October 1992, 2KO converted to the FM band, changing its callsign to 2KKO, and branding itself as KOFM 102.9. Four years later, on 22 January 1996, the parent company of KOFM (and of NXFM), Radio Newcastle Pty. Ltd., was purchased by Austereo. A few more years later, Austereo sold 50% to RG Capital Radio Network, whose stake in the station then transferred in 2004 to Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, upon the purchase of RG Capital's stations. On April 2011 Southern Cross Media bought out Austereo for $714 million giving Southern Cross Media full ownership of KOFM.

In late June 2017, the station again moved but this time to state of the art facilities in 18 Honeysuckle Drive.

On 9 November 2018, KOFM was renamed to 102.9 Triple M Newcastle.[3][4]

Presenters

On air line-up

Monday-Friday

  • Tanya & Steve 6:00am–9:00am
  • JR 9:00am–12:00pm
  • Blanchy 12:00pm–4:00pm
  • Kennedy/Molloy 4:00pm–6:00pm
  • Best Bits of Tanya and Steve 6:00pm–7:00pm
  • Rock Song Dedications 7:00pm–10:00pm
  • Night Shift with Luke Bona 12:00am–5:30am
  • Triple M NRL (March–October)

Weekends

  • Weekend Agenda with Nicky and Franky 6:00am–9:00am (Saturday)
  • Triple M NRL (March–October)
  • All Newcastle Knights games
  • Weekend announcers and panel operators include John Piva, Daniel Dimmock, Mark Sales and Nicky Ainley.
  • The Range with Lee Kernaghan 7:00am–9:00am (Sunday)
  • The Great Australian Doorstep with Spida & Sheree Everitt 6:00am–7:00am (Sunday)
  • Moonman across Australia 10:00am-12 Noon (Sunday)

News

  • News Director: David Dollin
  • News Presenters: Dan Flegg, Hannah Sly, Madeline Larson

Rugby League coverage

Following Broadcast Operations Group's decision not to carry the Continuous Call Team from 2GB in Sydney, and therefore, ruling that rival 2HD could not carry Newcastle Knights games, KOFM picked up the program (and rights to Knights games), beginning 2006. They also poached long time 2HD commentator Gary Harley to continue his role as commentator on Knights games until dismissal early 2014. They do not carry 2GB's coverage anymore due to 2MMM's Successful bid for NRL Broadcast rights (but will broadcast Knights games with local content).

Former presenters
  • Peter Pickhover
  • James Aloyius Montgomery Max
  • Elma Gibbs
  • Ron Roberts
  • John O'Brien
  • Pat Barton
  • Bert Burns
  • Ron Gibson
  • David Mulley
  • Cliff Musgrave
  • Leon Bailey
  • Peter Harn
  • Phil Hunter
  • Ron Hurst
  • John Jones
  • Sam Kronja
  • Allan Lappan
  • John Laws
  • Gary Meadows
  • John Melouney
  • Warwick Teece
  • John Thompson
  • Gray Clark
  • Mal Elliott
  • Mike Jefferys
  • "Big Steve" Wakely
  • Alan McGirvan
  • Peter Meehan
  • Ed Webster
  • John Waite
  • Tony Stanton
  • Tony "Music" Williams
  • Lee Cornell
  • Chuck Hobler
  • Art Ryan
  • Ron French
  • Peter O'Callaghan
  • Jim Stewart (Jim Ball)
  • Matt Tapp
  • Brian Towers (Wayne Kerrick)
  • Tommy Tucker (late)
  • Paul Turner
  • Ray Waite
  • Ross Weldon
  • Tim Webster
  • Vince Neill
  • Paul Hardy (late)
  • Barry Coleman
  • Iain Edwards (late)
  • Bob Gallagher
  • Peter Graham
  • Bill Grundy
  • David Jones
  • Mal Hedstrom (late)
  • Richard King
  • Mike Connors
  • Mike Summers
  • Teenah Bernice
  • Nat Jeffery
  • Andy Simpson
  • Fiona Cameron
    • Kev Kellaway
  • John Henry
  • Stewart Horne
  • Selwyn Jones
  • Wayne Mason (Frank Fursey)
  • John O'Callaghan
  • John Paige
  • David Ross
  • Mike Ahern (late)
  • Peter Brennan
  • Mike Duncan
  • The 80's Guys
  • Jo King
  • Barry Graham
  • Pete Davis
  • Nick "Nicko" Condon
  • Dion Clewett
  • Peter Buckley
  • Clayton Brown
  • David Collins (late)
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References
  1. "Additional Newcastle Station". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 August 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  2. "New Broadcasting Station". The Newcastle Sun (4257). New South Wales, Australia. 1 August 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 30 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. Carr, Matt (6 August 2018). "KOFM name to go under rebranding for Newcastle radio station". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  4. "KOFM To Become Triple M Newcastle". Triple M. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.

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