VIDEO might have killed its share of radio stars but an online Newcastle venture plans to resurrect them.
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A locally owned digital station, dubbed The New 2UW, will go live at 6am on Monday, bringing a mantra of “ local, local and local” as well as a fresh approach to vintage sounds.
“There’s a hole we’re trying to fill,” news presenter Michael Blaxland said. “A lot of networks have content coming from elsewhere now, but Hunter Valley people love local things.”
The station’s “edgy and funny” vibe will bring news, music and talkback together with hits from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
Local music guru Mark Tinson, aka the “Godfather of Newcastle rock and roll”, and entertainment entrepreneur Steve Pickett will be paired on the drive program, from 4pm to 6pm.
“We’ll play nothing but good stuff that people know,” Blaxland said.
“The Breakfast of Champions” show will be hosted by airwaves stalwart and station operator David Sayers while PR and events expert Tracy McKelligott tackles the morning shift from 9am, with academic Dr Harry Criticos working behind the scenes.
“Too many stations are talking at you, and just amongst each other, but not with you,” Blaxland said.
2UW was the call sign of a popular Sydney AM station up until the mid 1990s.
“We’ve basically just been waiting for the technology to catch up,” Sayers said.
“Up to 60 per cent of people listen to radio on their mobile phones.”
Listeners can tune in through the app, on the web at new2uw.com or via digital radios. “This is a very exciting venture,” Tinson said. “There’s a real trend now towards nostalgia.”
Pickett added: “The opportunity to support local music, and play some classic rock from Australia and overseas, is too good to pass up. Being a Countdown kid, I know that really was the golden age.”