It is, unfortunately, true that the Super Radio Network (SRN) is looking for a buyer or buyers.
Less than two years since the death of owners Bill and Pam Caralis, the network that Bill began with the purchase of 2RG in Griffith in 1982 may no longer be in the family’s hands.
When Bill and Pam died in July 2024, within three days of each other and after a marriage of 60 years, their children George Caralis and Despina Priala (nee Caralis) made the decision to become joint owners and managing directors. The SRN then included 42 NSW and QLD stations.
Bill and Pam were notoriously careful and savvy with money, owning almost all of the buildings that house their stations, which most other radio networks don’t. Reclusive when it came to the media, Bill and Pam did care deeply for their staff, providing job security and allowing many stations to run themselves. Not a single employee was retrenched or laid off during or post COVID.
When George, a salesman, and Despina, a lawyer, took over, John Laws was still on 2SM mornings, and Richard King was doing breakfast for Newcastle and for Sydney.
Despina had told the media that “the days of ridiculous money are gone” and true to those words the siblings were judicious in their employment of experienced people to the right roles.
Graham Miles was first, employed as the Group General Manager. Ron Wilson brought local back to 2SM breakfast next, alongside Mary-Ann Harris in the newsroom. Next, the SRN took control of Coastal Broadcasters Pty Ltd increasing their tally of stations from 42 to 47. And finally, before 2024 had even finished, Lawsie announced his retirement with Chris Smith his successor.
On Chris’s first day I was invited to go into Pyrmont to watch the beginning of this new era. The hope and excitement was palpable, which makes news of a sale all the more devastating.
In 2025 the hard yards began for the siblings. Ron Wilson was replaced after six months by the veteran Tim Webster, who is building again an audience that should be competitive if it were surveyed. A few others were moved on too, but alongside new shows, new managers and still forward momentum.
Then, in August 2025, came the major step of appointing a board of directors with Joan Warner the new Chair of each of the various companies that make up the network.
This appeared a healthy decision to allow George and Despina less impact on their already significantly reduced free time and have group decisions overseen by a panel of experts. They became non-executive directors and Rhys Holleran the network’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer.
At the start of this year the final puzzle pieces were in place with Mike Byrne appointed Network Content Director, and Peter Schmidt, Group Technology Manager.
This week Graham Mott was announced as SRN’s second CEO. Rhys Holleran resigned after less than six months.
Here I’ll pause and say that I am a product of the SRN and care deeply about the network and its people. For decades it has flown under the radar while some of its talent go above and beyond for their communities.
In Mudgee, Craig ‘Basso’ Bassett notched up 25 years with 2MG this month. The GM of that station, Mal Rock, has been there more than four decades!
In March this year Kerry Peck, better known as Pecky, celebrated his 80th birthday with the 2BS 95.1FM studio in Bathurst being named in his honour. He has been at the station (previously owned by Ron Camplin) since 1969 and on breakfast for nearly all of that time.
News Director Dianne Coveny-Garland is up to 26 years with 2SM, and a mentor to many who have come through the network.
And Richard King has been at 2HD in Newcastle for ‘decades’, as mentioned also supplying breakfast into Sydney for a while there.
The 47 stations are filled with great people, radio people, and this will again create a period of uncertainty not just for them, but for the industry while we all wait and see who a prospective buyer might be.
It won’t be ARN, that’s for sure. The newly merged SCA / Seven West Media organisation can’t due to too many stations already in the same markets. The Laundy Family Office will likely want to get their feet under the desk before they seek to expand Tapt Media.
Could it be one of the groups who were sniffing around Nine Radio? Might one of the Caralis’s still want to be part of their family’s legacy?
The sale is being handled by KPMG. The estimated $200 million price tag gets the buyer stations, real estate and dedicated local experience. I hope that whatever happens it remains in the hands of someone who loves radio and the people it employs, to safeguard the future of broadcasting and its legacy.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.
Related stories:
The Super Radio Network takes control of Coastal Broadcasters
‘Thoroughly enjoying myself’ – Tim Webster thriving on 2SM Breakfast
Joan Warner appointed Board of Directors Chair for the Super Radio Network
Pecky’s 80th celebrated with the naming of the 2BS Kerry Peck Studio