3GG
Broadcast areaGippsland and the Latrobe Valley
Frequency531 kHz AM
Branding3GG
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatClassic hits
Ownership
Owner
History
Former call signs
3UL (1937–1989)
Call sign meaning
3 – Victoria
Greater Gippsland
Technical information
ERP5 kW
Links
Websitewww.3gg.com.au

3GG is an Australian commercial radio station based in Warragul, Victoria. Founded in 1937 as 3UL, it has been owned by the Capital Radio Network since February 2015.

History

3GG Transmitter site on Brandy Creek Road
3GG antenna masts

3GG first went to air in 1937 as 3UL, named after the town from which it then broadcast; Warragul.[1] 3UL's founder was Vic Dinenny.[2] Dinenny had earlier operated 3YB as a mobile station, broadcasting from various towns around Victoria. As more and more rural stations opened in Victoria, the concept of a mobile station became less practical. Therefore, Dinenny applied for and received licences for two non-mobile (or conventional) stations, one in Warrnambool, which kept the 3YB call sign, and the other being 3UL in Warragul, which used the last two letters of the town name as its call sign.

Within a few years of opening, 3UL became part of the Argus Broadcasting Services network, along with 3YB Warrnambool and 3SR Shepparton.[3] This Victorian rural radio network was operated by The Argus, then a daily newspaper. When The Argus closed in January 1957, their radio network evolved into the Associated Broadcasting Company which owned 3UL until it was sold to Regional Communications Pty Ltd in 1982.[4] In August 1988 it was purchased by Shepparton Broadcasting. Wesgo purchased a 60% shareholding in March 1990.[5] In 1990 the station was purchased by two private shareholders.[6] Ace Radio purchased 3UL in 1995. In November 1989, 3UL moved premises from Warragul to Traralgon, in the Latrobe Valley, and changed its callsign to 3GG. Under Program Director, Steve Woods, 3GG became the number one station in the listening area.

After ten years, 3GG returned to Warragul. In 2002, owners RG Capital launched sister station Sea FM. In 2004, both 3GG and Sea FM were purchased by Macquarie Regional RadioWorks – the only change being to Sea FM, which was rebranded as Star FM.

Because of changes in media law, and following the purchase of Southern Cross Ten by Macquarie Southern Cross Media, either Sea FM or 3GG would have to be sold – the latter was sold to Resonate Broadcasting, a new entity operated by Austereo executives Guy Dobson and Rex Morris. Due to Resonate's Austereo connections – and following the merger of Southern Cross Media Group and Austereo – the station was closely aligned to the Triple M network.

In February 2015, 3GG was acquired by the Capital Radio Network.[7][8] As a result, the station shifted music formats from adult contemporary to classic hits, in line with other network stations.

Transmitter and studios

While the transmitter location has always remained on Brandy Creek Road just north of Warragul, the studio location has over the years changed from Warragul to Traralgon and back to Warragul at its current location of 7/61 Smith Street, Warragul. Its reception can be heard in Melbourne and Geelong, plus King Island.

Notable presenters

Current

Local programming is produced and broadcast from 3GG's studios in Smith Street, Warragul 24/7 with announcers presenting from 5:30am to 7pm on weekdays and 6am to 6pm on weekends.

The station's presenters include Andrew Deak, Trent McCurdy, Macka Dixon & Jenni Birchill.[9]

Former

References

  1. ↑ "OPENING OF STATION 3UL WARRAGUL". The Argus. 19 May 1937. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  2. ↑ Watt, Jarrod (11 May 2013). "Ballarat heritage: broadcasting pioneers of radio and television". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  3. ↑ "The "Argus" Broadcasting Services". tdgq.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Retro Radio Dial: 1988 Australia Victoria/Tasmania AM Radio".
  5. ↑ Wesgo tries many paths to growth Australian Financial Review 20 April 1990
  6. ↑ "History: Jimmy rocking the Bay". The Standard. 22 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "3GG finally sold. Kevin Blyton new owner". Radioinfo.com.au. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "3GG Sold to Kevin Blyton". Radio Today. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "Radio 531 3GG". www.3gg.com.au. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "A Salute To Peter Landy". Archived from the original on 22 October 2009.
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