3UZ is the official callsign of a medium-wave radio station in Melbourne, Australia which broadcasts under the name Sport 927.
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History
3UZ was founded by electrical engineer Oliver John Nilsen CBE, who was later to become a Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Known as "O.J.", Nilsen had created an electrical business, Oliver J. Nilsen & Co. (later Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd) in 1916, manufacturing electric jugs, kettles, toasters, crystal sets and radios.
On 6 February 1925 Nilsen was granted a broadcasting licence and in March 3UZ commenced operations as "The Voice of Victoria" from 45 Bourke Street on a frequency of 930 kHz, later moving to 927 kHz in 1978 with the implementation of 9 kHz spacing on the AM band.
3UZ had Victoria's first "B-class" licence, permitting it to broadcast paid advertisements. At the time, other stations were dependent on subscriptions.
For the next sixty years the station achieved consistent top ratings as "the Greater 3UZ".
1985 sale to ENT
In 1985 the Nilsen family sold 3UZ for $9.2 million to Launceston (Tasmania) media company ENT Ltd., associated with the controversial figure Edmund Rouse.
Radio Sport 927
The station was sold in 1986 to a horse and greyhound racing group and in 1996 changed its on-air identification to Radio Sport 927.
Programmes
A handful of programme titles from 3UZ's history:
- Bolero
- Clancy Of The Overflow
- Crosbie Morrison Session
- Dan Dare
- Grouches and Appreciations
- Harry Dearth's Playhouse
- Hymn For The Day
- Newsbeat
Newsbeat reported motor vehicle accidents in Melbourne, with audio recorded at the scene, interviewing witnesses and tow-truck drivers and typically ending with "... and here is the police report."
- Portia
- Radio Auditions
Hosted by Johnny McMahon, Radio Auditions was an extraordinarily long-lived talent show in which participants were awarded up to three "gongs". By the late 1960s it had become a rather sad affair, with Shirley Radford heroically attempting to provide piano accompaniment to nervous persons whose ambitions exceeded their talent. Entertainer Barry Crocker first appeared on the programme as did Jamie Redfern who went on to appear with Shirley Radford on HSV 7s "brian and The Juniors".
- Tailwaggers’ Club
- The Early Risers’ Club
- Who’s Who In Rhythm
External links
- biography of Oliver John Nilsen
- Nilsen company website
- 80 years of the Greater 3UZ
- video of 3UZ tower demolition
- 1954 3UZ control room: technicians record interstate and country races
- "Penelope"
- 1970 ad featuring DJ Don Lunn
- 1982 ad
See also
References
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