What’s going to happen to Sydney’s 2SM

There’s one station that always seems to get Sydney radio nerds, myself included, talking: the Super Radio Network’s 2SM 1269.

With recent news that the Super Radio Network is up for sale, there has been plenty of speculation about what the future could look like for 2SM. So, here’s a brief look at the station’s recent history, along with some possibilities for what could come next.

2SM is one of Sydney’s few commercial radio stations that doesn’t participate in the GfK radio ratings, having dropped out of the official survey system in the early 2000s.

For a period, the station took Richard King’s Breakfast Show from Newcastle, before eventually returning to a locally produced breakfast program, first with Ron Wilson, and now with Tim Webster.

Following the late John Laws’ departure from mornings, Chris Smith was announced as his replacement, giving 2SM another prominent voice in its weekday lineup.

But with the Super Radio Network now on the market, the big question is: what happens to Sydney’s talkback station?

Who could be interested?

A number of potential buyers have been discussed in radio circles.

John Singleton, who has previously been linked with interest in Nine Radio, has also been speculated as a potential buyer of the Super Radio Network, including 2SM.

If Singleton were to acquire the network, one of the more interesting possibilities could be the return of Ray Hadley to 2SM. Hadley and Singleton have a long standing relationship, and Hadley was a major part of 2GB’s talkback lineup during Singleton’s ownership.

However, at this stage, these remain possibilities rather than confirmed plans.

Other radio groups reportedly linked to interest in parts of the network include ACE Radio, Tapt Media and Capital Radio Network.

It would arguably make more sense for the Super Radio Network to be broken up, rather than sold as one complete operation. Different buyers could potentially take control of different clusters or stations, depending on what is commercially viable.

So, what happens to 2SM?

That’s where things get particularly interesting.

2SM has a unique position in the Sydney market. It has a long history, a loyal audience and a strong association with talkback radio, but it operates in a market dominated by much larger commercial networks.

A new owner could choose to maintain 2SM’s existing format and identity, invest heavily in local programming, or take the station in a completely different direction.

There is also the possibility of using 2SM as part of a broader radio strategy, particularly if a buyer already owns regional stations and wants a presence in Sydney.

For radio fans, the potential sale of the Super Radio Network is therefore about much more than a change of ownership. It could determine what one of Sydney’s most recognisable radio brands looks and sounds like for the next decade.

Whatever happens, 2SM’s future is certainly one to watch.