Bill Caralis, the independent owner and operator of the 2SM Supernetwork, has just inked a deal to purchase an additional three key NSW regional commercial radio stations, as he consolidates his operations in that state.

Caralis has bought commercial stations in Coffs Harbour (639 AM), Port Macquarie (531 AM) and Orange (1089 AM) for an undisclosed figure from the Gamble Group’s AMI Radio Pty Ltd.

As part of his consolidation within NSW, he has divested himself of his Queensland station, Heat FM in Noosa, selling it to the Gamble Group: owner of the Sunshine Coast commercial radio station, Hot 91 FM, allowing Gamble to consolidate his holdings in that market.

This takes Caralis ownership of commercial radio licences and translators in NSW and south east Queensland to 54, making him the largest regional commercial radio operator in NSW and the second largest in Australia.

Bill Caralis has told radioinfo: “This is, without doubt, one of the proudest moments in my life. I feel very privileged. This fulfils a dream of mine to be the major player of commercial radio in the premier state of NSW…

“I intend to be a long term operator in commercial radio in this country and, with digital radio soon to be introduced, I am tremendously excited with the potential and vast reach of my Supernetwork.

“This is particularly apparent in the premier state of NSW, where our ability to reach the major and prestigious regional markets provides advertisers and consumers, a unique marketing and listening advantage.”

Caralis intends to ensure that the Supernetwork is a market leader in all aspects of commercial radio broadcasting.

With the purchase of these additional stations, Caralis will independently own an impressive network, which encompasses the following stations:

Sydney – 2SM 1269 AM

Newcastle – 2HD 1143 AM and New FM 105.3 (2New)

Dubbo – 2DU 1251 AM and Zoo FM 92.7 (2ZOO)

Murwillumbah – Radio 97 AM and FM 104.1 (2MW)

Armidale – 2AD 1134 AM and New England FM 100.3 (2NEB)

Grafton – 2GF 1206 AM and FM 104.7 (2CLR)

Gunnedah – 2MO 1080 AM and FM Triple G 97.5 (2GGG)

Inverell – 2NZ 1188 AM and FM 95.1 Gem (2GEM)

Lismore – 2LM 900 AM and Triple Z FM 104.3 (2ZZZ)

Moree – 2VM 1530 AM and Now FM 98.3 (2NOW)

Mudgee – 2MG 1449 AM and 93.1 Real FM (2GEE)

Parkes – 2PK 1404 AM and Rock FM 95.5 (2ROC)

Tamworth – 2TM 1287 AM and FM 92.9 (2TTT)

Taree – 2RE 1557 AM and Max FM 107.3 FM

Toowoomba – 4AK 1242 AM and 4WK 1359/963 AM

Gympie-Noosa – 4GY 558 AM

Coffs Harbour- 2CH 639 AM

Port Macquarie – 2PM 531 AM

Orange – 2EL 1089 AM

Network translators are heard at:

Cobar 97.2 FM

Cobar 103.7 FM

Goondiwindi 89.5 FM

Foster 100.3 FM

Port Stephens 97.5 FM

Yamba 103.9 FM

Kyogle 104.3 FM

Stanthorpe 91.5 FM

Gympie-Noosa 107.1 FM

Stanthorpe 99.5 FM

Walcha 89.3 FM

Wellington 96.1 FM

Condobolin 90.5 FM

Kandos 91.7 FM

Narrabri 98.3 FM

Goondiwindi 88.7 FM

Lightning Ridge 91.3 FM

Collarenebri 101.9 FM

Walgett 105.1 FM

Gloucester 103.3 FM

Mullumbimby 103.5 FM

AMI Radio Chairman John Gerahty says: “The Heat will link closely with Hot 91.1 in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast markets and will come under the direct management control of Rob Gamble, Managing Director of Hot 91.1.”