2GB commenced intermittent broadcasting in August 1926. The operator, Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd, owned by interests associated with the local branch of
Theosophical Society Adyar, was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney area. The initials honour
Giordano Bruno. George A. Saunders, previously with 2BL, became 2GB's first station manager and (as "Uncle George") on-air personality in 1927. 2GB became the first Australian station to play transcription records by 1933, holding the world's largest transcribed record library at the time. The controlling interest in the station was purchased by
Denison Estates Ltd in 1936. A new board of directors was appointed under chairman
Hugh Denison and included Frederick Daniell and A. E. Bennett, who continued as station manager. In what radio historian and writer
Richard Lane termed "The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama", Denison and his media adviser Daniell inaugurated the
Broadcasting Service Association Players, renamed the Macquarie Players in 1938. 2GB produced local weekly serials such as
Dolly and Dan and
Doctor Mac, and presented a full-length drama on Sunday afternoons. Writers included
John E. C. Appleton,
Lynn Foster, E. Mason Wood, William L. Power (who dramatised
Helen de Guerry Simpson's
Boomerang, a series on "Famous Escapes", and
Tales Told to Peter and Pam, a popular children's series),
E. V. Timms and Ken Pawley. Actors included
James Raglan,
Lou Vernon,
Peter Finch, Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth. The station launched the Macquarie Radio Network, in February 1938, in competition with the Major Network, started by fellow Sydney station
2UE. In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere. Two years later, 2GB became the first Australian station to air news bulletins on the hour, every hour during its broadcast day. In 1964, Fairfax purchased ATV's Australian assets, including the 45% share in 2GB.
Ray Hadley, previously with
2UE, became a presenter at the station in 2001. 2GB had a standby mast and its original 873 AM transmitter tower at
Wentworth Point at
Homebush Bay. Its location was visible via the Ryde Bridge, and also via the train line to Rhodes and Concord train stations. Due to a redevelopment occurring on the same land, the tower was brought down on Friday 11 September 2015. A month or two before, a new tower was erected for 2GB and is now situated at the 2KY transmitter site, also in Homebush. In October 2012, following the
Alan Jones "died of shame" controversy, 2GB suspended advertising on the Alan Jones show. This decision was reversed in October 2012, but many advertisers declined to return to sponsoring the program. In June 2014, Michael Smith was fired as fill-in commentator for calling
Muhammad a
paedophile; Program Director David Kidd referred to Muhammad as a deity. ==Merger==