Sky Sports Radio (original) (raw)

Radio station in Sydney, Australia

Sky Sports Radio
Sydney
Broadcast area Sydney, Canberra and Regional New South Wales
Frequency 1017 kHz AM (1978–) (Sydney)
Branding Sky Sports Radio
Programming
Format Racing and sport
Ownership
Owner Sky Racing(2KY Broadcasters Pty Ltd)
History
First air date 31 October 1925 (1925-10-31)
Former frequencies 1070 kHz AM (1925–1935)1020 kHz AM (1935–1978)
Technical information
Transmitter coordinates 33°50′23″S 151°03′40″E / 33.8397°S 151.0611°E / -33.8397; 151.0611
Links
Website www.skyracing.com.au

Sky Sports Radio (formerly 2KY) is a commercial radio station based in Sydney, broadcasting throughout New South Wales and Canberra on a network of over 140 narrowcast transmitters as well as the main 1017 AM frequency in Sydney. It broadcasts live commentary of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. Over 1,500 races are covered each week, including the pre- and post-race form and TAB betting information.

Radio 2KY aerial being prepared prior to opening

Radio 2KY mast on the way to transmitter site

Promo lighter from the '60s

Sky Sports Radio was founded as 2KY by Emil Voigt, under the ownership of the Labor Council of New South Wales, with the aim of broadcasting "musical entertainment, news, weather, market reports, public debates and matters of educational value".[1][2] Night broadcasts of trotting began in 1949, with greyhound racing following soon after. In the 1960s, the station took over thoroughbred racing commentary from 2GB. By the mid-1970s, Saturday afternoon racing broadcasts had started.[3]

In 1992, the station started establishing a statewide network of narrowcast relay transmitters. 2KY was one of the pioneering stations of Digital Audio Broadcasting in Australia. In 2001, 2KY was acquired by Sky Racing and, in 2009, rebranded as Sky Sports Radio.[3] Its studios moved from Parramatta to Frenchs Forest in 2015.[4][5]

In 2005, 2KY closed its newsroom, in favour of taking a feed from the Broadcast Operations Group.[6] In March 2006, it was taken over by Macquarie Media.[7]

National Racing Service

[edit]

The National Racing Service features every TAB meeting throughout Australia, as well as coverage of race meetings in New Zealand and Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom and United States. Although racing is the mainstay of 2KY, other sports are featured. The Big Sports Breakfast features a range of national and international sports each weekday morning.[8]

Big Sports Breakfast

[edit]

The Big Sports Breakfast is presented by Michael Clarke and Laurie Daley.[9] Previous hosts have included Richard Freedman, Terry Kennedy and Michael Slater.[4][10][11]

Notable former presenters have included[3]

  1. ^ "Broadcasting From Trades Hall". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 1925. Retrieved 7 June 2024 – via Trove.
  2. ^ "Emil Voigt the man behind 2KY". Radio Heritage Foundation. 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Sky Sports Radio company profile Archived 9 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine Sky Sports Radio
  4. ^ a b 2KY and Sport 927 to merge Radio Info 8 December 2005
  5. ^ Sky Sports Racing 2KY installs new Wheatstone studios Radio Info 20 February 2015
  6. ^ 2KY closes newsroom Radio Info 15 July 2005
  7. ^ Macquarie Radio takes over 2KY news Radio Info 20 March 2006
  8. ^ Sky Sports Radio Programs Archived 9 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine Sky Sports Radio
  9. ^ Michael Clarke to replace Terry Kennedy on Sky Breakfast Radio Today 6 February 2020
  10. ^ Slater joins 2KY breakfast show Thoroughbred News 27 March 2008
  11. ^ Terry Kennedy departs Big Sports Breakfast after 18 years Mumbrella 18 October 2019