Annual Report to Shareholders 1996

Review of Operations

The past year has been one of further consolidation for the Broadcasting Division. It now stands on the threshold of a period of expansion. This growth will be by way of the issue of up to 12 additional FM licences over the next one to two years to the existing network of 25 radio licences in Queensland and Western Australia.

These new licences are granted under the Broadcasting Services Act to existing stations operating in solus markets. Nine of the division's AM stations in Western Australia and three in Queensland qualify for such additional FM licences. The first of these, to 6KG Kalgoorlie, 6VA Albany, 6MD Merredin and 6SE Esperance in Western Australia and 4ZR Roma, 4HI Emerald and 4GC Charters Towers in Queensland have already been approved and are planned for installation over the next 12 to 18 months.

The new FM licences have the potential to significantly enhance the success of the network.

In the last year, the Radio West Group posted record revenues and profits. Part of this success is attributed to the launch of a new State-wide programme, W.A. Today, relayed from the hub studios of Bunbury's 6TZ.

Another notable and successful initiative in W.A. was the commissioning of a new translator service from Bunbury into the growing seaside resort centre of Busselton.

In Western Australia, all our radio stations grew their market share, with 6KG Kalgoorlie, 6TZ Bunbury and 6VA Albany leading the way.

The Queensland stations performed creditably, especially in view of the major organisational and integration changes that had to be absorbed following the acquisitions in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.

A significant achievement for the Queensland network during the year was the commissioning of three new relays. The new services are from 4ZR Roma into St George, from HOT FM in Mackay into Airlie Beach and from 4AM Atherton-Mareeba into the bauxite mining centre of Weipa. These new relays will enhance the services offered by our Queensland radio network to listeners and provide revenue opportunities in new markets.

The closer linking of all the Queensland stations by way of satellite programming and networking will continue during the year, resulting in cost benefits and improved services.

Broadcasting has developed to be an important and expanding medium for Rural Press.

Radio stations

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• 6KG Kalgoorlie
• 6AM Northam
• 6MD Merredin
• 6TZ Bunbury
• 6BY Bridgetown
• 6NA Narrogin
• 6WB Katanning
• 6VA Albany
• 6SE Esperance
• 6CI Collie

QUEENSLAND

• 4CC Gladstone
• 4HI Emerald
• 4ZR Roma
• 4AM Mareeba
• 4CA Cairns
• HOT FM Cairns
• 4TO Townsville
• HOT FM Townsville
• RR Racing Townsville
• 4MK Mackay
• HOT FM Mackay
• 4CC Rockhampton
• 4LM Mt Isa
• HOT FM Mt Isa
• 4GC Charters Towers

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• 5AU Port Augusta
• 5RM Berri