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WSFM 101.7 (call sign: 2UUS)[1] is a commercial radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia. Its main content is commercial music, in particular classic hits from the 1980s to today. The station is part of the Gold Network (which itself is a part of ARN).
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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sydney |
| Frequency | 101.7 MHz FM |
| Branding | Gold 101.7 |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Affiliations | Gold Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | ARN |
| KIIS 106.5, CADA | |
| History | |
First air date | 23 November 1978 (as 2WS) |
Former call signs | 2WS (1978–1993) |
Former names | WSFM (2001–2024) |
Former frequencies | 1224 kHz AM (1978–1993) |
Call sign meaning | UUS – homage to final AM callsign 2WS |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 150 kW |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°48′20″S 151°10′51″E / 33.80556°S 151.18083°E |
| Repeater(s) | 88.3 FM Camden 99.1 FM Richmond |
| Links | |
| Website | 101.7 WSFM |
Gold’s main frequency is 101.7 MHz on the FM band, with two repeaters in the outer suburbs of Sydney: 88.3 MHz in the Macarthur region, and 99.1 MHz centred in the Richmond/Hawkesbury region. It previously transmitted on 1224 kHz on the AM band; this frequency is now used by print-handicapped radio station 2RPH.
In January 2025, the station will be rebranded from WSFM to Gold 101.7.
Music
editGold’s former catchlines (as WSFM) were Sydney's Classic Hits....Good Times and Great Classic Hits.....Real music, real variety & Better Music and More of It. Gold 101.7 generally plays Pure gold classic hits from the last four decades, as well as current hits.
History
editLiverpool Broadcasting and Transmitting Co Pty Ltd was granted an AM radio licence in the late 1970s, specifically to serve the Western Suburbs of Sydney. 2WS began broadcasting at 12:24 am on 23 November 1978, the same day all Australian AM radio stations switched from 10 kHz to 9 kHz frequencies from temporary studios in a relocated cottage at 2 Leabons Lane, Seven Hills with a 5 kW transmitter located at nearby Prospect. [citation needed] [2]
The studios subsequently moved, in October 1979, into a purpose built complex behind the old cottage in Leabons Lane. The original building was demolished, with the material donated to charity.
In the early 1990s the station was granted an FM licence covering the full Sydney metropolitan area. Its original FM transmitter was located in Willoughby on the Channel 9 TV Tower, later moving in with sister station, MIX106.5 (now KIIS) to Artarmon, in northern Sydney. The official callsign was changed to 2UUS (using a literal 'double-U' to compensate for the extra letter required), although the station still identified as 2WS until 2001, when they changed their on-air name to WSFM.
2WS, 1224 on the A.M. band converted to the FM band and began broadcasting as 2WS-FM on 101.7 MHz on 1 June 1993 at 8 a.m.
In 2002 WSFM Studios was located in North Ryde. In 2024 it moved to new studios at Coca-Cola Place, North Sydney. The building also houses facilities for KIIS 106.5 and CADA, both also owned by ARN.
The original studios at Leabons Lane, Seven Hills are now occupied by Christian/Adult Contemporary radio station, Hope 103.2.
In November 2024, renovations to ARN’s website pages leaked a new logo for Gold 101.7 on its Gold Network page, confirming that WSFM would be rebranded to Gold 101.7, bringing it in line with Gold 104.3 in Melbourne.[3][4] On 29 November 2024, ARN announced that WSFM will officially be rebranding to Gold 101.7 from January 2025. The station will now target a younger 25-54 age demographic whilst still appealing to the station’s loyal fan base.[5][6][7]
References
edit- ^ *WSFM web site
- ^ "101.7 WS-FM History". Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Gold Network". ARN. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Gold Network - ARN". web.archive.org. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Sarah (28 November 2024). "WSFM rebrands to GOLD101.7 in 2025". Radio Today. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ Jolly, Nathan (28 November 2024). "WSFM announces new station name". Mumbrella. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "ARN unveils rebranding of WSFM to GOLD101.7 in 2025". Mediaweek. Retrieved 29 November 2024.