Two SER Radio Faces Closure After 45 Years

0:00It's April 14. Welcome in. This is Sydney News today, where local news meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. Sydney's Community Radio Station 2SER is facing closure after more than 45 years on air. Its biggest funder, McCory University, pulled out last September, leaving a huge gap that no one has filled yet. Station manager Cheryl Northy warned staff this Tuesday that doors could shut as soon as July without new cash. The stations owned by University of Technology, Sydney and McCory, operating out of UTS's Ultimo campus, right by the ABC headquarters. Earlier this week, Northy laid out options like teaming up with new university partners, but talks with places like University of New South Wales, and Sydney University only kicked off in mid-March, way too late according to insiders. This hits hard because 2SER has been a launch pad for big names in Aussie media. Meeting folks like ABC's Robbie Buck, Labor Minister Tanya, Pliversek, and XABC Boss

1:02Steve Aherne, Community Radio struggling overall from shrinking uni budgets, especially with fewer international students paying fees. Audience numbers actually jumped 20% this year, boosted by small grants from Metta and the Walkley Foundation worth over $200,000, but core funding was around $325,000 from McCory and over $400,000 total from UTS, and neither stepping up. More amid their own cutbacks, nor they in the board are still hustling for long-term fixes, like handing the license to a cheaper not-for-profit group, all while prioritizing staff. If the worst happens, keeping listeners tuned in to what comes next for this Sydney staple.