The Super Radio Network is Australia's largest privately owned network of commercial radio stations.

From its humble beginnings in 1987 when Bill and Pam Caralis bought their first radio station in Griffith, NSW, the network has successfully expanded under the Broadcast Operations banner into the formidable group of 47 AM and FM radio stations it consists of today.

Covering over 93% of New South Wales, the network stretches from as far south as Young to Sydney and Newcastle, out west to Broken Hill and into most major regional centres heading north, such as Bathurst, Dubbo, and Tamworth, to Lismore and the Tweed and into the Gold Coast. Continuing into Queensland, it covers Warwick, Toowoomba and Gympie, standalone areas in Far North Queensland areas, including Innisfail, Mareeba and Townsville, and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

The Super Radio Network has an unmatched presence across the major regional population centres of the Australian Eastern seaboard, supporting the communities it serves with live and local content and an unwavering commitment to their well-being. Sadly, Bill and Pam’s 37-year journey into the world of radio ended with their passing within a few days of each other in July 2024, but their legacy lives on in their children, Despina Priala and George Caralis, who now manage the Super Radio Network as joint managing directors.

Despina and George’s commitment to their parent’s legacy and their passion for the industry is exemplified by the recent resurgence of 2SM in Sydney, which has been revitalised with fresh new talent and content for 2025, as well as planned moves to take the whole network forward into the digital age with a new internet presence and enhanced streaming capabilities. 

The Super Radio Network will continue to be a family-owned and operated business into the future and is well placed for success by being in the enviable position of having wholly-owned assets and a formidable debt-free property portfolio, including its state-of-the-art Pyrmont studios that service its needs and where its long standing networked Morning Show is broadcast from, which included John Laws’ broadcast career up to his retirement in 2024, and now houses Chris Smith who broadcasts to the Australian community via the Super Radio Network.

BEFORE THE RADIO BUSINESS

THE 70s & EARLY 80s

Bill Caralis at Marrickville with the Newton Footballers who also worked for him when Bill & Pam owned Caralis Wines on Marrickville Road in the 70s and early 80s.

Bill & Pam retired from the wine business in 1983 and moved to the Gold Coast.  It was here that the opportunity arrived to buy into Radio in 1987. 

 

Caralis Bulldogs

THE STORY BEHIND THE BULLDOGS

Bill's love of rugby league is well known, as is his support for the Newtown Jets, the second rugby league football club to be founded in Australia.

However, what's not so well known is Bill's involvement in the game at the grassroots level, dating back to the Caralis Bulldogs. The junior Under 12s team, featuring Bill's oldest son John as captain, went undefeated for four years in a row (123 games), earning the nickname the unbeatable "Caralis Bulldogs." 

Main Photo: The highly successful Caralis Bulldogs U12 team with Coach Bill Caralis holding the trophy in the background.

The Caralis Bulldogs legend caught the attention of the NSWRL Canterbury Bankstown Club, known as CB or the Berries. Looking for a new image that reflected grit and determination, they approached Bill and purchased the name and logo. 

The Bulldog branding used for the Caralis Bulldogs has carried across to the Canterbury Bankstown logo still used today.   From their inception in 1935 until the name change in 1978, the club won just two premierships. In the years since the new image, they have won five.

 

Link to view the current Canterbury Bankstown logo.

 

Click here to read more about the transition of the Bulldogs name from Bill Caralis to Canterbury-Bankstown

THE NEWTON ERA

Apart from his coaching and involvement with Caralis Bulldogs Junior teams, Bill had a passion for the Newtown Jets.  With one of the highlights being the 1981 NSWRL Grand Final in front of 55,333 people at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Main Photo: Bill Caralis accepting a trophy for the Newtown Jets in 1981.

In their 75th season, coach Warren Ryan took Newtown all the way to their first Grand Final in twenty-six years.

Parramatta led 7–6 at half-time, but the Jets looked set to spring a major upset when tough half-back Tommy Raudonikis crashed over to score early in the second half.  However, the Jets fell a little short, losing the game 20-11. 

Main Photo: Bill Caralis in the middle of the Newtown Jets team photo in 1981.

Click here to watch the 1981 Minor Semi-Final between Newtown and Parramatta.

Early radio days

THE RADIO STORY SO FAR

NOVEMBER 1987

2RG in Griffith was the first radio station purchased by Broadcast Operations Group (Super Radio Network). 

This was followed closely in the same month by purchases of 2DU (Dubbo), 2PK Parkes and 2MG (Mudgee)

Photo: 2DU / ZOO FM building in Carrington Avenue, Dubbo

 

 

TWEED, LISMORE & GYMPIE

1989

The network continued to grow with the purchase of 2LM (Lismore) and Radio97 (Tweed Heads). 

4GY (Gympie) was also acquired in 1989 from AMI.



More than just broadcasting, the Caralis family becomes part of the fabric of the Tweed/Gold Coast community with many activities and contributions including the full purchase of a NSW Water Police Boat. The $30,000 purchase made big news around the community of the Tweed and the Gold Coast.

The Caralis Family have always been a huge supporter of local emergency services.




Photo: Pam Caralis launches a Radio 97 funded Water Police boat on the Tweed River.

 

 

 

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

During the late 80s and early 90s, The Super Radio Network was expanding quickly, and with all those new markets opening up, it was the perfect chance to connect with local communities and bring people together.  

 

Photo: Pam Caralis with The Seekers on the Gold Coast

INTO THE 1990s

MAY 1990

24-hour continuous transmission began at 2DU (Dubbo).  In the late 80s and early 90s most regional radio stations still turned off transmission after midnight.

 

1 JANUARY 1994

ZZZFM THE HEAT began broadcasting to become the sister station to 2LM (Lismore).

Photo: Pam & Bill Caralis with sitting Prime Minister Paul Keating in 1994

 

6 JANUARY 1995

By the mid-90s The Super Radio Network continued to grow with the acquisition of 2RE (Taree) along with its sister station MAXFM 107.3 followed by 2AD (Armidale), 4WK and 4AK (Toowoomba), 2MO (Gunnedah) and 2TM (Tamworth).

1997

The company continued to grow in 1997 with the acquisitions of 2NZ and GEM FM in Inverell, as well as 2VM and NOW FM based in Moree.

Photo: The 2VM / NOW FM building in Balo Street Moree.

1999

2HD and NEWFM (Newcastle) became part of the network after purchasing the two stations from the NSW Labour Council.

 

Also in 1999, 2GF (Grafton), based in the Northern Rivers region, became the Super Radio Network's twelfth market.

A NEW MILLENNIUM

2000

The start of a new Millennium saw the significant purchase of the iconic 2SM in Sydney, which came with the acquisition of 8 Jones Bay Rd, Pyrmont, and the construction of one of the most outstanding radio studios in Sydney, 

Including a custom-built fit-out studio, glass walls, golden microphone, Tasmanian oak ceilings and more.

To this day, it contains the highest finish ever seen in a radio studio, including 4 additional smaller studios for other shows and programs, including the ‘talkin sport’ show run by Graeme Hughes.

THE SPARTAN WARRIOR

In 2000, the Sun Herald (now Sydney Morning Herald) produced a two-page spread looking at the impact the recent purchase of the iconic 2SM woudl have on the Sydney Radio market.

Journalists Matthew Benns and Heath Gilmore met with Bill Caralis to uncover the secrets of Caralis, renowned as the Howard Hughes of radio.

Link to download the full article.

 

2003

The iconic ‘Talkin Sport’ Show commenced on 2SM in Drive – 3pm-7pm. Our all-star lineup features the legendary Graeme Hughes, the ever-knowledgeable insightful Brett Papworth, the entertaining Gav Robertson, and the dynamic Mark “Spudd” Carroll.

2005

Three further market acquisitions from AMI in a big 2005.  FM93.5 / 531AM (Port Macquarie), 2HC (Coffs Harbour) and 2EL (Orange).

2006

In 2006, The Australian Financial Review published a brilliant article highlighting the growth of the company and the recent acquisitions in Coffs Harbour: Orange and Port Macquarie.

Link to read the Full Article titled "Radio's Very Own Greek Tycoon

 

Photo: Graeme Hughes, Brett Papworth and Gav Robertson (Talkin' Sport) celebrating 21 years on air this year.

2007

In 2007, The Super Radio Network completed the build of new studio and office facilities for 2TM/FM 92.9 Tamworth, 2PM Port Macquarie and 2EL Orange.

Click this link to read a Jocks Journal article about the re-build.

 

Also in 2007, 2BH & Hill FM (Broken Hill) were acquired.

Photo: The unique radio-shaped building in Broken Hill.

2009

2LF (Young) was added to the network after purchasing the station from Southern Cross.

2009

Four additional DAB+ licences were purchased for the Sydney Market.  ZOO Super Digi, 2SM Super Digi, FUN Super Digi and DANCE Super Digi.

2011

The legendary John Laws, one of Australia’s most iconic radio personalities, became part of the Super Radio Network family, bringing his unparalleled broadcasting expertise to 2SM in Sydney. His flagship program, The John Laws Morning Show, quickly became a staple of morning radio across New South Wales and Queensland. Over the next 13 years, the show captivated listeners with its distinctive blend of insightful commentary, engaging interviews, and Laws' inimitable voice that had become synonymous with Australian radio.

Photo: John Laws with SRN Directors Despina Priala and George Caralis on his last day on air. November 8 2024.

MAY 2019

Two stations, 2BS and BROCK (Bathurst), are purchased from long-time owner, The Camplin family.

Photo: The 2BS & BROCK building in George Street, Bathurst.

August 2021

8HA (Alice Springs) is acquired along with a 49% Shareholding in Coastal Broadcasters PTY LTD.

At the time, RadioInfo published a great story highlighting the purchase.

Link to full RadioInfo Article

A BIG YEAR OF CHANGE

JULY 2024 

The shareholding interest in Coastal Broadcasters Pty Ltd was increased to 76.6%.


Coastal Broadcasters includes a range of radio stations across Far North Queensland, including KOOL FM, KIK FM/4AY, 4KZ, and 4AM. These stations serve a broad area, extending from Innisfail and Mareeba to the Gulf of Carpentaria, stretching westward across and beyond the Atherton Tablelands, and reaching east to the Great Barrier Reef islands.

 

THE PASSING OF TWO ICONS

19 JULY 2024 

The passing of Bill Caralis, the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of the Super Radio Network.

22 JULY 2024 

The family is again saddened by Pam Caralis's passing.

Within three days, the original directors and visionaries behind the growth of the Super Radio Network both passed away.

Click HERE to read a RadioInfo article published on 22nd July

JULY 2024

The appointment of new managing directors to Broadcast Operations and the Super Radio Network, children of Bill and Pam – Despina Priala and George Caralis.


 OCTOBER 2024

The appointment of Graham Miles as Group General Manager.

Graham's appointment is seen as a pivotal milestone and step taken by the new directors for 2025 and the future of the super radio network.

Photo: (From left) Graham Miles, Despina Priala & George Caralis.

Our Network

The Super Radio Network footprint covers more than 93% of New South Wales and extends to Queensland, including the Gold Coast and Tweed to Byron Bay, Far North Queensland, covering Innisfail and Mareeba and then into Northern Territory through Alice Springs. 


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