Ray Hadley has marked 20 years on 2GB Mornings.
Throughout his career on-air Hadley has achieved 138 consecutive survey wins – the longest-running winning streak of all-time – unbeaten in 17.5 years and has become the most awarded radio host in Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) history picking up 33 awards and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Hadley enjoyed 19 successful years broadcasting at 2UE, before joining 2GB in late 2001 and on 4th March 2002, The Ray Hadley Morning Show first went to air. It now also airs on 4BC in Brisbane and across 30 network stations Australia-wide.
He was the founding member of The Continuous Call Team (CCT) which re-shaped sports radio shows and remains unbeaten since 1992. Hadley still calls rugby league for 2GB and his tally includes 30 Grand Finals, 86 State of Origins and thousands of NRL games.
In the past year, he has enjoyed one of his most successful years ever, delivering his highest cumulative audience result – almost half a million weekly listeners in Survey 6 last year.
“It’s quite humbling to get to this stage of my career. However, I won’t dwell on it, given many of my listeners are facing their own challenges with this devastating flood emergency. I’ll find time to commemorate this special occasion more appropriately in the foreseeable future,” he said.
On-air on Friday, he also told listeners: “I started covering the bushfires in 2001, 2002 and today continue with disseminating information about our latest crisis the floods. The Lindt Cafe surge was our most difficult two days, but in the main, it’s been the most fulfilling and remarkable journey.”
Tom Malone, Nine Radio’s managing director, said: “Ray is the most successfully versatile radio broadcaster in Australian history. No other person has been number one across multiple formats, whether it be sports commentating, sports lifestyle, country music, or in his current role as the host of 2GB’s The Ray Hadley Morning Show. He has succeeded at every turn, largely through determination and sheer hard work.”
Known for his passionate commentary and ability to drive debate across the country on both national and local issues, Hadley has become one of the most influential voices in media.
His leadership of the 2009 Home Insulation ‘Pink Batts’ Program led to the downfall of prime minister Kevin Rudd; his marathon stint on air during the Lindt Cafe Siege in December 2014 – where he worked directly with NSW Police while hostages called the program – kept Sydneysiders informed and supported during one of the city’s darkest hours; his tireless advocacy for victims of child sexual abuse has helped tear down taboos and give voice to the marginalised; and his vocal campaign against the NSW Government greyhound racing ban was critical to overturning the law and saving the industry.
Hadley has also experienced a number of personal highlights over the past 20 years, including his marriage to wife Sophie and the birth of his four grandchildren Ava, Noah, Lola and Ella Rae (named after him), who was born while Hadley was on air, resulting in an emotional moment shared with listeners nationwide. Hadley’s fifth grandchild is due in the coming months.
He also made a special mention to his four children: “I’d also like to acknowledge my children who made sacrifices for me to achieve my ambitions. They were never consulted but they never complain and that to a certain extent of my great regrets.
“They suffered because of my ambitions but to Dan, Laura, Emma and Sarah you know how much I appreciate your never-ending support,” he added.