What happens when you've spent more than five decades watching Australian radio evolve from valve receivers and Top 40 charts to streaming, podcasts and digital platforms?
In this episode of The Local Shift, Kelvin Huggins sits down with industry veteran David Rogerson, whose career has taken him from Sydney's legendary 2UW to some of the country's most influential programming and executive roles.
David shares stories from growing up in a broadcasting family, working alongside radio legends, helping launch and transform major stations, and navigating the industry's biggest technological and regulatory shifts.
Along the way, we explore:
• The golden era of Australian radio
• How FM changed everything
• The rise of audience research and music testing
• Why local content still beats algorithms
• The impact of deregulation and media consolidation
• Lessons from programming some of Australia's biggest radio brands
• Why preserving radio history matters for future broadcasters
This is a fascinating conversation about innovation, audience behaviour, localism, and the enduring power of great content.
Whether you're a broadcaster, podcaster, media professional, or simply a radio enthusiast, David's insights offer a unique perspective on where we've come from and where radio may be heading next.