Darwin, Australia’s smallest capital city, received its first radio station, ABC’s 5DR (later 8DR and now 8DDD), in 1947.
The first commercial station was 8DN, launched in 1960. 8DN was Darwin’s only commercial radio station for over 30 years and the launch of the city’s second commercial station, FM station 8HOT in 1991, essentially led to 8DN becoming one of the few radio stations in Australia to simply cease operation.
Above: 8DN in 1989
The licensee of 8HOT, Northern Territory FM (NTFM), had taken a financial interest in 8DN prior to 8HOT commencing transmission. This was deemed a breach of broadcasting laws that stated that no one operator shall own two radio stations in the same license area. NTFM pledged to sell its interest in 8DN prior to 8HOT commencing broadcast, however the sale was refused by the broadcasting authority as the potential buyer of 8DN, Territory Broadcasters, was buying 8DN with an interest-free loan from NTFM, essentially continuing to give NTFM undue influence over two stations.
8DN therefore had its licence cancelled and the station ceased to broadcast from 1992.
Ironically, it was not long after 8DN’s closure that the broadcasting rules were changed to allow a licensee to operate two radio stations in one market.
8DN’s broadcast frequency, 1242 kHz, is now used as a relay station for Queensland-based racing station Radio TAB.
2 comments:
Thanks for this mate...i remember this logo very well was working there back in the 80's, liver across the road at the YMCA a short walk to work, to steal a line from Mary Hopkins 'Those were the days'...cheers Redroo
Oh the memories. I grew up listening to 8DN and I started my radio career at 8DN in the very early 80's as the Mid-Dawn announcer. In it's day it was, without doubt, Darwin's leading station.
Quentin Kilian
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