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. It is owned by ARN after ARN's purchase of the Grant Broadcasters 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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. 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

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

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Presenters

* Damien Leith, 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)