Heirs to 2SM throne said sharks called within days of Bill and Pam Caralis passing

The children of radio tycoon Bill Caralis have blasted the sharks who swarmed following the death of their parents, seeking to buy their network.

Despina Priala and George Caralis, owners of the 2SM Super Radio Network. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The children of radio tycoon Bill Caralis have blasted the sharks who swarmed following the death of their parents, seeking to buy their network.

The heirs to the 2SM throne, Despina Priala and her brother George Caralis, say they are a united force when planning the future of their family-operated radio network of 42 radio stations that their parents started with the purchase of a radio station in Griffith in 1987.

“We’re media siblings that actually get along. We couldn’t be more strongly united. All decisions are made equally and together,” said Mr Caralis.

“People are knocking at our door. The value in the network is huge. George and I are committed to maintaining unity together for the future and for our staff and for the network,” Ms Priala said.

Bill Caralis and his wife Pamela died within three days of each other in July, but that period of overwhelming grief didn’t stop investors calling.

Despina Priala and George Caralis congratulate radio star John Laws at the end of his final show on 2SM Radio. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“(It) was very inappropriate. And I shut those people down, and hung up on a few people as well, telling them to just leave me alone. But George and I were prepared for that,” she said. On the day their mother died, Mr Caralis said a person phoned.

“We were at the hospital with mum. Dad had just passed on the Friday prior. They were wanting us to sell straight off the bat.”

Bill and Pam Caralis. Picture: Supplied

Radio consultant David Rogerson, who has advised numerous Australian radio stations and networks over his 40-year career, estimates that the 2SM Super Radio Network could be valued at over $200m.

Broadcast Operations Proprietary Limited has broadcast and property holdings across NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Ms Priala said her dad was on a mission to build a solid radio company – he even negotiated a controlling interest in a group of Far North Queensland radio stations just before he died.

“He was in the office the day before he passed. And a few days beforehand, (he) acquired 76 per cent of that group,” she said.

As for her dad being labelled a “recluse”’, his daughter said that’s wrong: “Dad wasn’t that person … he never spoke to the media, never wanted to. He wanted to keep the family away from that, and he did. And he was a very private man, so was mum. That’s how they raised us as well.

“Honestly, he was just busy all the time. He worked far too much, in our opinion, you couldn’t get him away from that,” Mr Caralis said.

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Originally published as Heirs to 2SM throne said sharks called within days of Bill and Pam Caralis passing