Staff were told of the impending auction at a meeting on Friday.

One staff member told radioinfo: “The 3AK staff expect to depart at the end of November, unless someone pops up and buys the place with the intention of soldiering on as a talk station with the same staff.”

A report in Media Flash suggested that the following bodies could be potential bidders: John Singleton (2GB-2CH), ACE (Handbury-Murdoch family interests), Walter Mott (3NE/2QN, Bega), Rod Boyd (Stereo 974), Grant Broadcasters, church or ethnic broadcasters.

The 15 per cent interest held in DCL by Southern Cross Broadcasting, and the 20 per cent holding led by Jeff Chatfield, may be vital in negotiations.

The report also fueled speculation that current board member Ron Hall will be the likely buyer (reported in radioinfo Oct 10) as he uses the interim to resign from the board so that he can legally bid at the auction as an independent.