Random Radio

Indeed, and putting on my marketers hat (which was my minor in my first degree) why don’t we have Bios of the DJ’s on the websites?

when you have multiple stations playing essentially the same playlist (say for example Nova & B105) your point of difference is the DJ. Leverage this. put bios out there. The DJ should be like a friend getting you though your work shift (or night or whatever).

doesn;t need to be long - 3 paragahs is more than enough.

the station i stream in the office whilst working has a good one - https://www.air1.com/djs/ashton not to long but enough that you get to know the DJ

this is proablly the same reason Visions is so good - so many segments and programes though the day

1 Like

I’d say this is precisely it. Most community radio stations are built around block programs - what may appeal to once listener at 9am may lead into a very different program at 10am, for instance. For SCA’s stations, does it matter who the jock listed is?

(For what it’s worth, I think it is; it’s sloppy otherwise. But I can see why it isn’t a priority for them)

1 Like

I’d have to agree entirely on that one. Schedules are a great tool for any block programming. Especially with community stations that may air programs in different languages.

But I do think it matters for SCA, mostly down to the sloppy careless image it gives out as soon as you visit their website, and also the fact that programs are still quite different on SCA’s stations. I understand that all their jocks sound the same when music-based, but they used to have jocks overlapping their syndicated personality-driven programming. Particularly when the regional M’s in VIC used to play the rush hour 3-4pm, then 6-7pm.

2 Likes

Most UK stations like the BBC, Capital and Kiss have good program guides so does WA’s Coast 97.3 FM.

2 Likes

Here’s a Random one. Have noticed in the new M4 westconnex tunnel 2NSB 99.3 is repeated despite being wholly outside the licence area, yet FBI, Koori ect are not.

My only assumption as to why is the tunnel repeater spec was copied from the Lane Cove tunnel.

6 Likes

The Draft Five-Year Spectrum Outlook for 2020-24 has been released today, which you can read it here: https://www.acma.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/FYS-2020-24_Consultation-draft.docx

The following to be held in Q3 2020 (July-September):

  • Develop & consult on proposals for LAP variations in Brisbane.

  • Develop & consult on a proposal to vary the Deniliquin LAP.

  • Develop & consult on proposals for variations in a number of licence areas in NSW to enable AM-FM conversions. These licence areas include Grafton, Taree, Inverell, Moree, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Lismore, Mudgee, Young & Parkes.

  • Consult on the Digital Radio Channel Plan (DRCP) for the Gold Coast, taking into account the completion of frequency allotment planning.

  • Further consultation on whether variations to the DRCP for Brisbane are appropriate to improve digital coverage.

The following to be held in Q4 2020 (October-December):

  • Develop and consult on proposals for variation to the Remote Central & Eastern Australia Radio LAP (Rebel/Breeze).

  • Consult on potential for replanning analog (FM) radio services in Perth, following the clearance of Band II television in Bunbury.

5 Likes

Interesting. I wonder what the proposals are for LAP variations in Brisbane are?

4 Likes

Does this Include Converting 4KQ to a Certain FM Frequency and Leaving 693AM for High Powered Open Narrowcasting???

1 Like

No they won’t do that even though it would be great. There are 3 other commercial AM’s (4BH, 4BC and 4TAB) that would also love to convert to FM and there isn’t room for all of them.

At best 4KQ could try to get an FM translator for part of the coverage area like Radio TAB has in Beaudesert.

4 Likes

Brisbane need a new FM license, not an AM conversion.

I would say they need 10 new FM licenses and for the ACMA to take a cram’em’in approach to spectrum planning, but I’ll settle for 1.

I’m shocked but not shocked that we’ll probably end 2020 with Mandurah being the only expansion beyond capital cities for DAB. Do easier cities if Gold Coast is too hard.

8 Likes

I completely agree. Brisbane is in dire need of a new FM service but the ACMA just won’t act. They use the crowded spectrum argument to avoid ruffling the feathers of the incumbents by adding a new FM.

All they need to do is shuffle a few of the sub-metro community licences around like 99.7 in Redcliffe which is exactly on Brisbane’s FM spacing. Also it’s ridiculous that they’ve put some Gold Coast stations on the Brisbane spacing (eg. 102.9 and 94.1) when I’m sure they could get away with something different as they have with 107.3 Juice FM on the Gold Coast. Juice is crammed between Nova and Triple J in Brisbane but seems to not cause issues. Similarly Radio Metro on 105.7 is crammed between Triple M and Hit 105 without any problem.

I simply don’t believe they couldn’t find a way fit another 1 or 2 commercial FM stations in Brisbane.

And yes how depressing is the lack of progress with DAB on the Gold Coast. Utter failure they haven’t pushed that through. If they’re having this much trouble with the Gold Coast it’s hard to imagine them doing any better with Gosford or Wollongong.

4 Likes

Yep the spectrum in the Subtropical Empire (SEQ/Northern Rivers) is a right mess. You have Toowoomba/Warwick on the ‘Sydney’ channels as well, together with Lismore and Gympie. The ‘Melbourne’ channels aren’t used until Wide Bay (northward) and Coffs Harbour (southward). Then the Scumshine Coast occupies some of the ‘Canberra’ channels, with Scumshine FM on 104.9.

4 Likes

My only hope is that a government desperate for cash after the huge spending recently will use spectrum auctions as a means of generating some revenue in the short term.

You could easily bank 10s of millions with new licenses in the state capitals and some paid conversions from AM to FM in other regions.

Might need to wait a few years before the media operators can spend again, so you avoid SEN launching an FM station in Brisbane, but it’s seemingly easy money.

I don’t know Brisbane’s situation well enough to comment in depth there - but my view is we shouldn’t be having small community and HPON licenses until broad markets are covered - the point of community radio and narrowcasters are to fill in niches - but if you need to give a chance for the commercial market to serve those listeners first - so you don’t end up with commercialised community stations trying to do it themselves.

5 Likes

I was browsing through some of the various playlists on Lava & I’ve noticed that the ACE’s ‘Heritage’ stations across Regional VIC have a real ‘classic hits’ format of late. They’re mostly on AM, but one is on FM, which is 3YB in Warrnambool. They play a good decent amount of 60s & 70s music along with the 80s & 90s.

With a good AM radio, some of its stations, such as 3CS from Colac, could be heard into Melbourne quite well.

2 Likes

That’s exactly what they’ve done wrong. There are insufficient FM commercial stations outside of Sydney and Melbourne at least to cover the broad market. Instead they’ve swallowed up space with narrow appeal niche community stations.

2 Likes

You can kick the TAB off their high powered FM frequencies for a start. But such is the clout of the racing industry ($$$) that’s never going to happen.

3 Likes

i would think given how much DMG paid for 106.9 ($80 Million) in 2004 i would think a new licence in the caps would make at a minimum $150 million, especilly if it’s a given that there would be no more licenses issued any time soon

(and yes i know DMG needed the BNE licence to complete a national network and was probally worth alot more to them because of this, but given it was 15 years ago i’d think the value of a new license would at least double)

this should have been done in 2016/7 to get it going and working pre-comm games. as someone who regularly drives to the coast (well not now due to obvious reasons) not having DAB down there is real frustrating.

Given the Gold Coast is the largest non cap city in australia in terms of population (and bigger than canberra, hobart and darwin) it should have been included in the launch of DAB to be honest

5 Likes

ACMA initially did a consultation re Digital Radio on the Gold Coast at that time. However, it didn’t get finalised, mainly due to a dispute with Brisbane on the issue of overspill.

And here’s Brad Smart’s opinion piece on Radioinfo from November 2017 on the issue: Brisbane’s DAB+ Dilemma: the Gold and Sunshine Coasts’ unwelcome visitor

2 Likes

I agree Gold Coast and Newcastle should have been included in the capital city roll-out. Both cities are significantly bigger than Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.

I’m not sure a new FM licence would make as much money as the last round of auctions but it would still be in the ten’s of millions in Brisbane and Perth.

2 Likes

If Newcastle is to ever get DAB+, then the NSW Central Coast probably should too.

3 Likes