Ace Radio Broadcasters has announced the acquisition of 2AY Albury from Macquarie Regional Radioworks, effective today.

This latest purchase brings the radio licences owned by the group to thirteen with AM and FM licences servicing the towns and surrounding areas of Colac, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Horsham, Swan Hill, Traralgon, the Latrobe Valley and East Gippsland.

Chairman of Ace Radio, Geoff Handbury says the network now has a potential listening audience well in excess of half a million people and is looking forward to including the Albury market into the Ace Network and providing the staff at the station with the same enthusiasm and support to deliver quality radio services that exists throughout the rest of the Ace Radio Network.

Handbury also told radioinfo that the focus will be on developing the profile of the station and ensuring that the programming is entertaining, informative and of the highest standard.

Ace Managing Director Stephen Everett will visit 2AY this morning to speak to staff. He is not expecting any job losses as a result of the change of ownership.

Subtle programming refinements may be made in various stations as a result of recent surveys and the acquisition, according to Everett, but he has told radioinfo there are no major programming changes expected at 2AY or elsewhere at this time.

Ace Radio is owned by Geoff Handbury and Rowly and Judy Paterson. Ace did not bid for any other Macquarie Regional Radio stations, but an announcement is expected this morning regarding the sale of the other MR Works stations.