96.5 Wave FM (call sign 2UUL) is a commercial radio station broadcasting on the FM band to the

Illawarra The Illawarra is a coastal region in the Australian state of New South Wales, nestled between the mountains and the sea. It is situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the South Coast region. It encompasses the two cities of Wollongo ...

region of

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Australia. It is owned by ARN after ARN's purchase of the

Grant Broadcasters Grant Broadcasters is an Australian regional radio network. Founded in 1942, by 2019 it owned 53 radio stations. In 2022 it sold 46 to Here, There & Everywhere retaining shareholdings in seven in Canberra, Geelong, Goulburn and Perth. Histor ...

radio network. 96.5 Wave FM competes with rival i98 at the top of the Illawarra's ratings for radio listenership.

History

The station was born as 2WL and commenced broadcasting on 18 July 1931. The station was owned by Wollongong Broadcasting Pty Ltd. The station studio and offices were in Edward St, Wollongong and were linked to a broadcasting antenna at Unanderra. The station was officially opened by J. P. Caddy, president of the Illawarra Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In November 1980, 2WL went off air briefly after a tornado badly damaged 2WL's Port Kembla broadcast tower. After 61 years of AM broadcasting, the station moved to the FM band in July 1992. In July 2021, it was announced that prominent i98 announcers Lyndal Rogers and Ryan Cram would be moving to the competition, joining Wave FM to host a new drive show. Their show replaced the nationally syndicated

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program Kate, Tim & Joel. In November 2021, the Australian Radio Network (ARN) announced the acquisition of the Grant Broadcasters radio network, which included Wave FM. In September 2021, former

Australian Idol ''Australian Idol'' is an Australian singing competition, which began its first season in July 2003 and ended its initial run in November 2009. As part of the ''Idol'' franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program '' Pop Ido ...

winner

Damien Leith Damien Leo Leith (born 18 January 1976, in Dublin) is an Irish- Australian singer–songwriter. He was the winner of the Network Ten music contest '' Australian Idol 2006''. Since winning the title, Leith has released nine studio albums, four of ...

joined the breakfast show as an announcer after a successful stint doing breakfast radio at sister station Power FM in

Muswellbrook Muswellbrook ( ) is a town in the Upper Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle. Geologically, Muswellbrook is situated in the northern parts of the Sydney basin, bordering the New Eng ...

Presenters

, Breakfast * Jade Tonta, Breakfast * Dean Kesby, Mornings * Matthew Brokenbrough, Workday * Lyndal Rogers, Drive * Ryan Cram, Drive

References

{{Australian Radio Network Radio stations in New South Wales Radio stations established in 1931 1931 establishments in Australia Australian Radio Network South Coast (New South Wales)