I think they would keep 96FM as the Gold station - it’s already fairly close to Gold 104.3 and would probably do better without the KIIS content. That would mean they could use the “new” licence to launch KIIS as a full CHR station to compete head on with Nova.
6IX as an AM station, definitely not. It’s close to worthless.
6IX as an FM station that can be blown up and turned into KIIS, that would be much more enticing, and probably worth the investment.
I agree that’s how it would likely play out. 96FM would joint pure gold and they’d launch KIIS on 104.9
The AM audience on 6iX have to move anyway, so just as easy to ask them to move to 96.1 as it is to 104.9.
96FM is closer to pure gold already, if they moved it to KIIS they’d lose that audience.
What I’d really like to see under this scenario is for them to keep 6iX on DAB as a classic hits station with the 4KQ log. I also hope they can somehow keep 4KQ on DAB in Brisbane with its current format.
I totally agree with the above.
Since ARN own half of 6IX now, I think it would be in their best interest to do a deal with Capital. Blow up the station and bring KIIS to the market once the FM conversation is done.
I can’t see them having a their own Classic Hits station (6IX) that is competing with 96FM to long.
For this to happen, they will need to do a deal with NE. (ARN have full ownership of 97.3FM and NE have full ownership of Nova Perth).
Supposedly Capital bought out Grant’s share of all their joint ventures, as none of them (or Geelong) were included in the purchase.
That likely means that while I’m sure Capital might be a willing seller, but should it get an FM conversion they will be able to command a significant uptick.
Funny the 98.5 Family radio community station was clever enough to do that, run a more niche christian Inspire Digital and keep their mainstream on FM. End result is they have the best rate of 64 kbps on DAB. The commercial stations should do the same, anything to have better bit rates but getting rid of duplicated FM/DAB stations.
I think FM stations do have a place on DAB, beneficial for inner city residents who can’t get a clean FM signal due to multipathing caused by big buildings.
The commercial stations are required to simulcast their AM/FM stations on DAB+
I don’t think they do. None of the joint ventures were part of the the Grants takeover.
When directional arrays with 5kW max output were made available for commercial licensees, no licensee took up the offer in WA, save for the ever innovative Ralph Bower in Esperance with 6SE opening long after 5kW became available.
That’s why they’re all 2kw, some are actually directional at 2kW.
Cost saving; penny pinching and pound foolish in the long run as they’re way behind now.
Was 6IX included in the ARN acquisition? No mention of it triggering divestment in Perth.
I disagree with Nine that that is the best option.
Five AA continue to remind audience before each news bulletin and as an hourly promo to try digital radio.
I thought it was, but then again I could be completely wrong. I got told Grant only kept Krock and Bay in Geelong?
I think the 6BAY relay on 1512 at Morawa was also 5kw. I don’t think that’s on air anymore though and was replaced by a low power FM on 104.7?
Unsure on site. Do know that was part of the SWM to SCA sale, convert all to FM, no AM sites to maintain.
6IX was a Capital/Grant JV, and the release said that JVs weren’t included.
We believe that Kevin will buy the remaining 50% of the JVs (the JV agreement would likely give him first right of refusal) but no registers have been updated yet. It’s possible that part of the deal hasn’t been finalized yet.
I wonder why, especially since they can transmit a 0 kbps simulcast station on DAB+ (or is there a limit on how low the bit rate can go?).
There was a time just before the change to 9 kHz when the commercial stations (outside of Sydney and Melbourne) were able to install 5kw directional antennas for the first time. This saw a lot of activity for metro and many regional stations including 4IP’s move etc. Yet, strangely Perth’s stations stayed at 2kw.
I also believe this will happen. Kevin will keep Canberra as it’s close to his other business interests. He will then seek expression of interest for 6IX. I don’t think you’ll see any movement here until the Perth re-plan has been announced. I would say the likely person he would sell 6IX too if the FM’s are approved is Lalchan Murdoch. I don’t think you’ll see a second ARN station in Perth unless Nine sell 6PR (doubt that will happen) & Nova buys ARN’s 50% in 93.7.
It makes sense for Nova to put Smooth FM in Perth. That’s a real possibility.
I agree. Would their current format work?? or should they launch in Perth with the approach they had in Sydney and Melbourne?
I have always wondered why DAB+ isn’t as big here as its is in other cities around the world? If it took off like CRA wanted it to then there would be no need for spectrum re-planning.
There certainly hasn’t been any urgency about it. They almost need to do what the TV networks did, and put an end date on traditional AM/FM broadcasts, meaning if you don’t have a digital radio, you don’t get radio, full-stop. The issue with that is, a lot of people likely wouldn’t care, and the cost to those who would want to upgrade (car stereos, etc) could be considerable. If they took this bet and it backfired, the loss of audience could be huge. Do they currently have an exciting enough product to entice people to switch? Clearly not.