Hobart FM (call sign: 7THE) is a radio station in Hobart, Australia broadcasting on 96.1 MHz and 92.1 MHz. They do not provide a track list.

History

Hobart FM Incorporated applied for and was granted a Public Radio Licence in 1977 under the auspices of the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education at Mount Nelson. Originally using the

call sign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assign ...

7CAE FM the station became the first FM radio station in

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(it was briefly preceded by "ABC FM", but this station was broadcast from mainland Australia). Initially the station followed a similar format to "ABC FM" - i.e. classical - but rock, folk and other genres began to creep into its schedule. 7 CAE FM broadcast a wide range of specialist programs, and by the early 1980s was heavily rock-oriented. It changed its callsign to "THE FM" (used along with 92 FM depending on the whim of individual announcers) in April 1982. Following the college's relocation to Launceston in 1980, Hobart FM Inc. assumed the full responsibility in the running of the station, subsequently moving premises to the McCann's Building in the Hobart CBD in the mid-1980s, where it continued to operate a lively and alternative

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmi ...

service. In March 1992 the station re-located to 17 Alma Street, Bellerive, where it has remained to this date (2021). At around this time the programming became less rock-oriented, and began to gravitate towards country rock, though it continued its role as Community Broadcaster in line with specialist music programs, community access and multicultural presentations, as well as information programs covering a wide and varied range of subjects. In 2016 Hobart FM broadened its music policy and now presents itself as the station that plays the best from the last 80 years ... the music of your life. It broadcasts on FM, 96.1 MHz and 92.1 MHz, DAB+ and streams live programming through its website hobartfm.org.au and various streaming aggregators.

Programme philosophy

Hobart FM's broadcasts are eclectic and broad ranging. Briefly, the station aims to cater for the information needs and

music Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspe ...

tastes of those not catered for by the commercial and public

broadcasters Broadcaster may refer to: * A presenter of any syndicated media program * A broadcasting organization, one responsible for audio and video content and/or their transmission * A sports commentator on television or radio * Broadcaster, currently ...

in Hobart. From

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...

to classical,

soul music Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the African American community throughout the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It has its roots in African-American gospel music and rhythm and blues. Soul music became ...

psychedelia Psychedelia refers to the psychedelic subculture of the 1960s and the psychedelic experience. This includes psychedelic art, psychedelic music and style of dress during that era. This was primarily generated by people who used psychedelic ...

, classics from the 1960s to today's

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is the current, 40 most-popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "Top 40" or "cont ...

hits, there is a large array of musical styles represented across the programme schedule, with special attention given to local artists and

ethnic An ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, ...

-language broadcasts. Hobart FM enables the voice of individuals and minority groups to be heard throughout the wider Hobart community.

Broadcast area

Hobart FM transmits its primary signal (96.1 MHz) from an antenna site on Mount Faulkner which allows for coverage in the Hobart City area, Sandy Bay through to Moonah, Glenorchy,

Clarence Clarence may refer to: Places Australia * Clarence County, New South Wales, a Cadastral division * Clarence, New South Wales, a place near Lithgow * Clarence River (New South Wales) * Clarence Strait (Northern Territory) * City of Clarence, a l ...

including

Lauderdale Lauderdale is the valley of the Leader Water (a tributary of the Tweed) in the Scottish Borders. It contains the town of Lauder, as well as Earlston. The valley is traversed from end to end by the A68 trunk road, which runs from Darlington to ...

, Rokeby, South Arm, Municipality of Kingborough, Bridgewater, Gagebrook, Brighton, Sorell and Richmond with its signal reaching far beyond these points. Hobart FM also broadcasts on 92.1 MHz in the southern suburbs and Channel area, eliminating many of the "blackspots" created by Hobart's geographic layout. In 2019 it commenced broadcasting on Hobart's DAB+ service. It also streams its programs from its website, hobartfm.org.au and through various streaming aggregators.

Management structure

Hobart FM is a Public Radio Station operated by Hobart FM Inc; which is a community-based,

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

. The station is administered by a Committee of Management consisting of ten people elected by the Association's members at an Annual General Meeting. Although the Committee is entrusted with the overall management of the station, Hobart FM could not operate without the services of some sixty or so active volunteers who undertake a range of tasks from broadcasting and production to clerical and fundraising activities. The reliance on volunteer involvement not only enables Hobart FM to operate on a tight budget, but facilitates direct community participation in the operation of the station.

Financial sources

Hobart FM receives income from four main sources: *Government grants through the Community Broadcasting Foundation for operational costs and equipment purchases, *Membership subscription and donations, *General fundraising, *Sponsorship.

References

External links

Hobart FM Website
{{coord missing, Tasmania Radio stations in Hobart Community radio stations in Australia