Melbourne Talk Radio

Melbourne Talk Radio
City Rowville, Victoria, Australia
Broadcast area Melbourne RA1[1]
Branding MTR 1377
Slogan Telling It Like It Is
Frequency 1377 kHz AM
First air date 19 April 2010
Last air date 2 March 2012
Format Conservative talk
Power 5 kW
Transmitter coordinates 37°56′05″S 145°13′00″E / 37.9347°S 145.2166°E / -37.9347; 145.2166Coordinates: 37°56′05″S 145°13′00″E / 37.9347°S 145.2166°E / -37.9347; 145.2166
Callsign meaning see 3MP
Affiliations Macquarie Radio Network
Owner Pacific Star Network (50%)
Macquarie Radio Network (50%)
(Melbourne Radio Operations Pty Ltd[2])
Sister stations 1116 SEN
MyMP Digital
Website MTR 1377

Melbourne Talk Radio (callsign 3MP) was a radio station in Melbourne that commenced broadcasting on 19 April 2010[3][4] until its closure on 2 March 2012.[5] It replaced, and was later succeeded by, 3MP, which used the 1377 kHz frequency. The station's transmitter is located in the suburb of Rowville and broadcasts at 5 kW.

History

In December 2009, existing operator Pacific Star Network and Macquarie Radio Network, the owner of top rating Sydney talkback radio station 2GB, agreed to create the joint-venture "Melbourne Radio Operations Pty Ltd", to supply radio programming in the Melbourne market. In April 2010, the two signed an interim agreement to launch conservative talkback station MTR 1377—replacing 3MP on AM radio—to compete against incumbent 3AW.[6][7][8]

At the station's launch on 7 April 2010, breakfast presenter and Program Director Steve Price promised the station would be "in your face, controversial, opinionated".[9]

The station's office was in Swan Street, Richmond, in the same location as its sister station, sports-focused SEN.

Station Closure

In November 2011, MTR was threatened with closure due to several issues, both ratings and legally related. The station's ratings were much lower than anticipated and litigation is under way relating to program syndication from Sydney's 2GB. Russell Tate, CEO of Macquarie Radio Network which half owns the station, wanted the station to have a cheaper management and staff structure.[10]

The station lost $6.2 million in the first twelve months of operation.[11]

In February 2012 Macquarie Radio Network began legal action against Pacific Star after the board failed to approve a budget for the station.[12][13]

In March 2012, part owner, Macquarie Radio Network issued a notice of default to MTR and Pacific Star Network demanding full payment of all monies owing.[14] The station was closed and placed into administration on Friday 2 March at 5pm.[5] The original station that moved to digital only as 3MP MyMP when MTR began broadcasting, reoccupied the 1377 frequency.[15]

Former Presenters

(∞) Aired also on 2GB in Sydney.

News

MTR 1377 broadcast 2GB's Macquarie National News from Sydney.

The former Melbourne based newsroom was sacked in early December 2011 as part of a "cost-cutting" measure.[17]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_531.pdf
  2. ↑ "Macquarie Radio and Pacific Star sign Interim Agreement". ASX ComNews. 2010-04-16. Retrieved today. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  3. ↑ Magee, Antonia (20 April 2010). "Price is too Right Some say fresh air". Herald Sun. News Limited. p. 17. Retrieved 26 Apr 2010. |section= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ "Radio station declares talkback war". Age. Fairfax. AAP. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  5. 1 2 Butler, Ben; Battersby, Lucy (2 March 2012). "'No worries' as MTR goes off the air". The Age (First ed.). Fairfax Media. p. 6. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "Macquarie Radio and Pacific Star sign Interim Agreement". ASX ComNews. 16 April 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Quinn, Karl (19 April 2010). "Look who's talking - MTR hits the airwaves". Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  8. ↑ Quinn, Karl (19 April 2010). "Look who's talking - MTR hits the airwaves". Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  9. ↑ Bodey, Michael (8 April 2010). "New radio station will be 'in your face'". Australian. News Limited. p. 7. Retrieved 26 April 2010. |section= ignored (help)
  10. ↑ Quinn, Karl; Petrie, Andrea (10 November 2011). "MTR Set To Close". Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Ross, Norrie (11 November 2011). "Steve Price optimistic about MTR's future". The Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  12. ↑ Bodey, Michael (2012-02-08). "Radio partners slug it out". The Australian (1 - All-round Country ed.). p. 37. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  13. ↑ Lacy, Christine (2012-02-20). "MTR duo still talking despite legal clash". The Australian Financial Review (First ed.). p. 39.
  14. ↑ Quinn, Karl; Kermond, Clare (2012-03-02). "Macquarie Radio cuts MTR lifeline". The Age (First ed.). p. 3. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  15. ↑ Bodey, Michael (2012-03-03). "MTR closes, with loss of $15m". The Australian (1 - All-round Country ed.). p. 27. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  16. ↑ "MTR over the Ridge". Sunday Herald Sun (1 - FIRST ed.). 2012-01-01. p. 94.
  17. ↑ "VIC:Vic radio station remains rating flop". Sky News Australia. Australian Associated Press. 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
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