Sky Sports Radio (formerly 2KY) is a commercial radio station based in Sydney, broadcasting throughout New South Wales and Canberra on a network of over 140 narrowcast transmitters as well as the main 1017 AM frequency in Sydney. It broadcasts live commentary of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. Over 1,500 races are covered each week, including the pre- and post-race form and TAB betting information.
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| Broadcast area | Sydney, Canberra and Regional New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1017 kHz AM (1978–) (Sydney) |
| Branding | Sky Sports Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Racing and sport |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| History | |
First air date | 31 October 1925 (1925-10-31) |
Former frequencies | 1070 kHz AM (1925–1935) 1020 kHz AM (1935–1978) |
| Technical information | |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°50′23″S 151°03′40″E / 33.8397°S 151.0611°E / -33.8397; 151.0611 |
| Links | |
| Website | www.skyracing.com.au |
Sky Sports Radio was founded as 2KY by Emil Voigt, under the ownership of the Labor Council of New South Wales, with the aim of broadcasting "musical entertainment, news, weather, market reports, public debates and matters of educational value".[1][2] Night broadcasts of trotting began in 1949, with greyhound racing following soon after. In the 1960s, the station took over thoroughbred racing commentary from 2GB. By the mid-1970s, Saturday afternoon racing broadcasts had started.[3]
In 1992, the station started establishing a statewide network of narrowcast relay transmitters. 2KY was one of the pioneering stations of Digital Audio Broadcasting in Australia. In 2001, 2KY was acquired by Sky Racing and, in 2009, rebranded as Sky Sports Radio.[3] Its studios moved from ParramattatoFrenchs Forest in 2015.[4][5]
In 2005, 2KY closed its newsroom, in favour of taking a feed from the Broadcast Operations Group.[6] In March 2006, it was taken over by Macquarie Media.[7]
The National Racing Service features every TAB meeting throughout Australia, as well as coverage of race meetings in New Zealand and Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom and United States. Although racing is the mainstay of 2KY, other sports are featured. The Big Sports Breakfast features a range of national and international sports each weekday morning.[8]
The Big Sports Breakfast is presented by Michael Clarke and Laurie Daley.[9] Previous hosts have included Richard Freedman, Terry Kennedy and Michael Slater.[4][10][11]
Notable former presenters have included[3]