Macquarie Media rejects suggestions it will seek extension as deadline looms to sell 2CH

March 1, 2016 10:45

Macquarie Media rebranded 2CH to the Magic network

Australia’s largest talk radio network Macquarie Media has just a month left to sell its radio licence for Sydney easy listening station Radio 2CH, before the media watchdog can force a sale.

It is required to sell the station following its merger last year with Fairfax Radio, which put the station in breach of media ownership laws which impose ‘two-to-a-market’ limit for commercial radio licences in the Sydney licence area. The broadcaster currently owns the licences for 2GB, 2UE and 2CH in Sydney.

But just two weeks ago Macquarie Media rebranded Radio 2CH to be part of its national Magic easy listening network, fuelling speculation that the company either had a buyer who was willing to allow them to operate it or that it would seek an extension on the sale time from media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Nic Christensen

Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor. He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.

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