Radio History

[dxer2_2000]

because that’s where the lion’s share of the audience is - esp young people who probably don’t even know AM exists…

I’ll bet the ABC is ruing not grabbing more FM frequencies in Sydney/Melb to put 2BL/3LO on FM

[Brianc68]

@dxer2_2000

because that’s where the lion’s share of the audience is - esp young people who probably don’t even know AM exists…

I’ll bet the ABC is ruing not grabbing more FM frequencies in Sydney/Melb to put 2BL/3LO on FM

Agree. If DAB doesn’t take off they’re going to have to work out a way to get ABC stations on FM at least in the capitals. The younger audience will not listen to AM and it’s not easy to actually buy an AM radio anymore. Probably a discussion for another thread but I don’t see any way around doing a full re-stack of FMs in all three eastern capitals and surrounds, and taking a good hard look at the high powered and sub metro community stations.

[tamago_otoko]

According to this tweet from Peter Doherty 4BC is celebrating its 90th birthday today, and next weekend 4MMM turns 40. Appears they will be doing a Flashback segment in 7 News tonight:

Peter Doherty (PeterDoherty7)

The original 4MMM logo is an interesting one, mustn’t have hung around long before they became FM104?

[Brianc68]

Yeah I really like the first 4MMM logo but no it didn’t stay long before they went fully FM104.

[Radiohead]

Streaming is the other option, younger listeners are probably more likely to use that than even FM.

[Brianc68]

@Radiohead

Streaming is the other option, younger listeners are probably more likely to use that than even FM.

I agree but there’s a danger there if radio stations push streaming - once people move to streaming they’ve got literally thousands of other station options from overseas. The only stations I stream are overseas ones because imo they’re better. I really think the industry is making a mistake by pushing streaming over terrestrial options including DAB. They’re pushing their audience into a world of greater choice. There might be more choice (and potential competition) on DAB but it’s nothing compared to the choice online.

[TV.Cynic]

7News Flashback story

7NEWS Brisbane (7NewsBrisbane)

[hora27fm]

@Vidiot

Seems that 7ZL was going to be called 7AA or 7AR when it began broadcasting as a commercial station. It was owned by Associated Radio Co. which also owned 3AR in Melbourne. How it became 7ZL is a mystery.

7ZR which was only ever an ABC station was going to get the callsign 7HN apparently for Hobart National. Maybe they just decided to use the Z theme and called it 7Z-Radio.

I’m sure someone will come up with a better response to this!

I have always wondered about why the stations had the call signs of 7ZL and 7ZR. All I can come up with is that 7ZL looks the same if it’s turned upside down.

It’s really clever if that’s the reason, from a marketing perspective!

It almost achieves the same effect but I agree 7ZR is probably continuing the Z radio theme.

[dxnerd]

Maybe they chose ‘Z’ because it’s at the arse the end of the alphabet, and Tassie is at the arse end of Australia?

Tassie will also be the last place that’s inhabitable in Australia, echoing ‘Z for Zacariah’.

[nickatnights]

• It’s 1983 and 2UE reigns supreme as Personality Radio.
• 2CH is second in the ratings with wall to wall Beautiful Music
• 2UW is The Amazing AM and rates third
• Triple M was into the triple plays
• In tune with 2Day
• 2WS played the greatest memories and latest hits
• That’s why you’re listening to 2KY
• More Music 2SM was about to become The Power.

It was to be a turbulent time in the next few years. 2UW lost it’s shine and became Magic 11 in 1984. Laws was to move down the dial to 2GB and 2SM found its groove in 1984 as the high energy Rock of the 80s.

And in 1983 Alan Jones lived in Newtown and had never worked in radio.

[crankymedia]

@nickatnights

And in 1983 Alan Jones lived in Newtown and had never worked in radio.

Merciful for 1983 audiences.

[Brianc68]

@crankymedia

@nickatnights

And in 1983 Alan Jones lived in Newtown and had never worked in radio.

Merciful for 1983 audiences.

Yes. Good times.

[TV.Cynic]

So today is the anniversary of the day 4MMM first went to air 40 years ago on 22/08/1980

FM104 TV advert 1988

[Laoma]

@Brianc68

Yes. Good times.

Great Classic Hits.

[Brianc68]

@TV.Cynic

So today is the anniversary of the day 4MMM first went to air 40 years ago on 22/08/1980

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0RDHve0kaM&feature=youtu.be

Good one. Though my favourite is still the one with the needle on the record and the speakers coming apart.

I also liked this one.

- YouTube

[Karen_Cee1]

Bring back the old FM 104

[Brianc68]

@Karen_Cee1

Bring back the old FM 104

Wouldn’t that be wonderful. Still the peak of my love for radio.

[TV-Expert]

From TRV, an aircheck of TTFM Melbourne from July 1990, a month after it converted to FM. This was recorded off 1026AM in AM Stereo just before its 4-week simulcast period ended.

Classic Hits TT FM In C-QUAM AM Stereo - Melbourne, Australia (1990)

[Moe]

@TV-Expert

From TRV, an aircheck of TTFM Melbourne from July 1990, a month after it converted to FM. This was recorded off 1026AM in AM Stereo just before its 4-week simulcast period ended.

That ad at the end talking to regional listeners is interesting - 1026 must have been a vastly better signal back in the 3TT days than it is as NewsRadio now, can barely get it within the license area now. Wonder how many rushed out to get big rooftop antennas just to keep listening to TTFM.

It’s amusing how that same problem of reception is coming up again now as regional stations shift to FM, leaving behind AM audiences, both within the market and particularly just outside.

[TelevisionAU]

@Moe

That ad at the end talking to regional listeners is interesting - 1026 must have been a vastly better signal back in the 3TT days than it is as NewsRadio now, can barely get it within the license area now

I can’t comment on the current reach of 1026 but back in the DB/TT days it boomed well into country Victoria. Same as 927. Both were very strong signals.