There’s been some chat in the SCA Regional thread.
The fire was lit by an arsonist outside the building just after 3pm. Both of SCA’s Bunbury stations went off air for a short time when the power was cut to the building. I’m not sure how long the stations were off air, but they were back later that evening via an alternative link from an alternative location.
The West Australian report that the damage bill is around $2 million, but reports I’ve heard suggest that most of the damage is cosmetic and smoke damage rather than structural, with the Elders office downstairs taking the brunt of it.
Staff still don’t have access to the building with the usual Bunbury shows now broadcasting from home covid-style. As a result they are currently unable to take calls from listeners.
Given the estimated damage bill I’d say it will be quite a while until they’ve got the studios back up and running. It will be interesting to see what, it anything they do to improve the current make-shift measures.
Purely opportunistic and disappointing. But I hope the guy gets the support he needs through this.
Most businesses at 1 Spencer Street have been closed for 2 weeks now. No amount of fire protection or broadcasting redundancy would avoid interruptions here. FWIW, the transmitter sites where not affected and where never dead air or off air.
Luck SEN Spirit wasn’t in the same building still. SEN moved them to lavish offices on Victoria Street in the restaurant area of the CBD a few year ago.
I don’t think there’s ever really much call for advertising that a regional station exists. Once you’ve lived in an area you know the stations exist - so unless you’re trying to juice ratings numbers, there’s not much call for advertising unless there’s a big change to the station you want to get “try us again” marketing for.
The stations that are owned by a TV license in the area can get a boost out of freebies - so maybe Wave and a station like 7HOFM might need to promote themselves a bit more because of how much media their competitors get free, but it’s likely not good value for money.
Outdoor/roadside advertising makes the most sense for me - prompt people your station exists while they are in the car and might tune over and give it a shot.
Star 102.7 remain on top with 26.1% (-0.9 from last year), followed by Hit 103.5 in a distant 2nd place with 16.7% (-0.7), Triple M in 3rd with 16.3% (+1.5), JJJ with 10.4% (+1.6), ABC Far North with 9.1% (+0.1), and 4CA with 3.9% (-1.5).
In the demos, Star is #1 in nearly every demo under 65, with the exception of the 18-24s, where Hit is #1. ABC Far North is #1 in the 65+, with 4CA the #1 commercial station in that same demo.
In breakfast, Star’s Johnny & Inkie dominate with 28.4% (-0.4), followed by Hit’s Bronte & Lakey with 16.6% (-0.4), and Triple M’s Tammy & JB with 15.2% (+0.7). In drive, Will & Woody on Star dominate with 25.2% (-2.9), followed by Hit’s Carrie & Tommy with 19.2% (+1.1), and Triple M’s Rush Hour with 17.8% (+2.1).
Also not available in Geelong, Wollongong, Newcastle and many other regional towns, though much of Geelong can still unofficially receive Melbourne DAB+ transmissions. You just need to have a really good DAB+ radio and have your telescopic antenna extended up fully at best. Not sure if Wollongong can also unofficially get the Sydney DAB+ transmissions? (Paging @tvcl)
One of those so called FM conversions that officially weren’t. They were brand new FM licences, the AM station was moved to the FM frequency and the AM frequency sold off to another operator.
