New era for local radio

GEELONG radio stations K rock and bay 93.9 will effectively operate as an independent business after Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) purchase of Grant Broadcasters’ radio network.

Announced two weeks ago, the sale will be finalised at the end of this month.

The management team at K rock and bay 93.9 say the stations are thrilled to be remaining with the Cameron family and will continue to offer exciting, entertaining and informative content tailored to local audiences.

The Geelong stations were excluded from the transaction because their broadcast overlaps into parts of Melbourne and would have placed ARN in breach of existing media ownership restrictions.

K rock and bay 93.9 general manager Andy Mathers said the stations would retain ownership ties with the Cameron family.

“As a standalone media outlet, we will now be pulling every lever we can find to give Geelong, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine Peninsula and Werribee the absolute best and most compelling locally driven, and locally produced, radio content.”

Mr Mathers said the station’s award-winning news team would also increase its strong local coverage via its free on-air and free online news services.