No, there’s nothing wrong with your radio, it’s just that Monday, 16 June, marked a major milestone in Australian regional radio history. Tamworth’s 2TM officially turned off its AM signal after 90 years of broadcasting—relaunching as TMFM 95.5 on the FM band.
This significant shift sees the station join sister outlet 92.9FM on the FM spectrum, marking the end of an era for a station that has been part of the New England North West’s media landscape since 1935.
2TM’s long-standing legacy began on Wednesday, 27 February 1935, when it broadcast at 201 metres (1490.5 kilohertz). Just months later, a shift in terminology by the Postmaster-General’s Department saw Australian radio move from wavelengths to frequencies, and 2TM was reassigned to 1300 kHz. Over the years, as radio technology evolved and interference issues arose, 2TM’s signal was carefully adjusted to optimise quality for listeners across the region.
From there, the milestones kept coming, with some significant moments including:
1940: Following the disbandment of the Broadcast Network, 2TM became one of only six stations in New South Wales to operate independently, marking a significant step in its development.
1967: John Minson, known as “Mr Hoedown,” transformed 2TM’s country music program into “Hoedown,” which gained widespread popularity across Australia and even reached audiences in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
1969: 2TM initiated the promotion of Tamworth as the “Country Music Capital of Australia,” laying the groundwork for the city’s prominent role in the country music scene.
1973: The station established the Golden Guitar Awards (officially the Country Music Awards of Australia), which became the centrepiece of the Tamworth Country Music Festival. 2TM, in conjunction with 2MO also hosted the first ever AgQuip in Gunnedah.
1992: Management of the Golden Guitar Awards was transferred from 2TM to the newly formed Country Music Association of Australia, reflecting the awards’ growing national significance.
2019: 2TM returned to its country music roots by reintroducing live programming from the Tamworth Country Music Festival and reinstating the Australian country music charts into its regular programming.
2020: The station broadcasted live from the Tamworth Country Music Awards for the first time, enhancing its involvement in the festival.
These milestones highlight 2TM’s pivotal role in shaping Tamworth’s identity as Australia’s country music capital and its enduring influence in regional broadcasting.
Now, in 2025, the transition to FM not only modernises the station’s technical capacity but also signifies a fresh chapter. The newly minted TMFM 95.5 promises clearer audio, broader local engagement, and a renewed focus on music, community news, and entertainment tailored to modern listeners.
In a post on the Radio 2TM, 2TTT/92.9 & BAL Marketing Facebook group, former manager Don Thomas wrote, “Monday 16 June 2025 marks the turning of a page in the history of 2TM Tamworth, as the station moved off the AM radio band to join its sister station 92.9 on the FM frequency band.”
“I was fortunate to be 2TM’s manager when the station celebrated its 50th birthday in 1985. Now this great radio station enters a new era as TMFM 95.5.”
The move aligns with broader changes across the Super Radio Network (SRN), which owns 2TM and 92.9FM. SRN continues to adapt to evolving listener habits while maintaining strong ties to regional communities through news, talkback, and specialist programming.
While the 2TM may fade from the airwaves, its legacy endures, powered by FM clarity and a commitment to continuing its community roots as TMFM 95.5.
For many across the region, it’s more than a frequency change, it’s a moment of reflection and celebration for a station that has shaped the soundtrack of generations.