Canberra Radio

Changes in the Canberra market tend to settle pretty quickly. Anyone who is going to change stations, tends to change from 104.7 to 106.3 and vice versa. The fact they’re owned by the same company means the difference to them is minimal. I agree that Mix would have to dial back the rock content, but they have always embraced new songs, they would just need to move a little hotter.

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Agreed. It’s not like listeners have much other choice in Canberra.

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To be fair it’s hardly an achievement for 104.7 and 106.3 to be the No 1 & 2 stations in Canberra!

What other choices are there?

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Exactly, simply Canberra needs a third commercial fm station.

There are more available options on dab+ then there is on the fm band.

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Carrying on for a bit with the thought that SCA will rebrand Hit 104.7 to Triple M… when would be the best time to do so?

I’m thinking at the end of the year, after the regular shows (breakfast & drive slots in particular) end for the year, and of course the NRL is over by then so it avoids having to switch coverage from Mix 106.3 while it’s still on. Launch with a Triple M Rocks Summer/Triple M Rocks 2021 campaign?

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I would agree early in 2021 before the first survey, if there is to be any regional surveys next year.

They could also incorporate their heritage branding in the rebrand Canberra’s Fm 104.7 Triple M.

In regards to Mix 106.3, they could rebrand to KIIS 106, (sounds like KIX 106) with a hot AC / CHR format. If this was to happen both stations would go back to similar formats to what they had mid 90’s.

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Agreed. As far as commercial radio is concerned, Canberra is pretty much a two horse race between 104.7 and 106.3 with both of those generally among the three top rating overall along with ABC Radio Canberra 666AM.

Don’t think either 2CC or 2CA have made much of a splash in the ratings for years now.

No argument there, although this seems unlikely to happen anytime in the foreseeable future.

Which markets have less available options on DAB+ than the AM & FM bands?

Here in Sydney*, there’s currently 66 stations on DAB compared to the 55 commercial, public, community & narrowcast stations (29 unavailable on DAB+ compared to 27 services available via both analogue & digital) across the AM & FM bands.

*For this survey I have included both The Edge 96.1 and C91.3, but not Central Coast or Wollongong stations. Anyway, back to the topic at hand…

As it’s been suggested before, over Summer or early 2021 before the first survey (if there’s to be ratings surveys in Canberra next year) would probably be the best time to rebrand Hit 104.7.

Not too sure about the idea of rebranding 104.7 as Triple M though. Most if not all presenters & shows currently on both Canberra FM stations would likely have to swap, something which could be rather confusing (even moreso than the current situation of there being Triple M content on Mix 106.3) for listeners! :confused:

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Yes they would have to flip both stations, and that would mean moving all the presenters including breakfast across to the other station and playlists. It would be totally confusing. If they were to do this they would need to do extensive marketing, (tv, newspaper, etc) to inform their listeners of the change, so could be quite a costly exercise if they were to do this.

I think they will end up keeping the stations as they are, the Triple M format is to narrow for Canberra and would smash the cumulative and share of 104.7.

The next Dubbo survey will be interesting to see what impact Hit becoming Triple M has.
SCA might wait until figures are available before making changes to Hit in Canberra if that is their intention.

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Canberra’s maximum temperatures are similar to Adelaide’s these days and the band plan is also the same, so why not Triple M 104.7?

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I’ve always kinda liked the fact the east coast capital (plus Adelaide) Triple Ms are in the 104 to 105 range so it would be nice for Canberra to be there too. Of course it’s not as relevant with DAB radio and the fact there are now regional Triple Ms on different frequencies, but still.

But if it was a network in the UK for example they’d advertise it as Triple M 104 - 105 FM.

Similar to BBC Radio to on 88 - 91 FM. Their text line is even 88 2 91. Cool right.

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It’s pretty much a massive coincidence that the metro Triple Ms all ended up being on adjacent frequencies. SCA should try a licence swap with Bill Caralis to get Triple M on 105.3 in Newcastle too :smile:

That line of promotion wouldn’t be totally correct still, as you also have it on 98.3 in the Adelaide Foothills and 100.7 in the Tuggeranong Valley (south of Canberra).

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I always assumed this was the reason EON shifted to 105.1 when becoming Triple M branded.

Canberra/Perth could really both end up with the same solution - the existing Hit becoming Triple M, and the Mix being the new older skewed Hit format.

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This theory of 104-105 would be gone if we get 92.9 Triple M Perth.

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Perth hasn’t relocated to the east coast last I checked :wink:

Then again, there is a restack coming…

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I don’t think anyone would expect WA to align :grin:

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When the east goes one way, invariably WA goes the other. As in weather, so in life.

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Does anyone from ARN/SCA Canberra know why Mix 106.3 & Hit 104.7 have very recently switched off their FM RDS feed/signal? Is this permanent, a fault or just temporary due to works?
Their RDS was on not so long ago.

I’m not sure if either station ever had RDS on their respective 100.7 & 107.1 Tuggeranong relay transmitter. Does anyone know?

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Surely it’s temporary?

RDS uptake is increasing across the industry.

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Is Canberra fm about to switch Hit 104.7 to Triple M and Mix 106.3 to KIIS 106.3?
Reinstate RDS after a relaunch of both stations?

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Mmm(no pun intended)…now there’s a question :slight_smile:
Apologies for the late night typo earlier, should have read ARN/SCA

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