89.3 LAFM (callsign: 7LAA) is an Australian radio station in Tasmania. Owned and operated by ARN, it broadcasts an adult contemporary format to Launceston and surrounding areas. First broadcast on 14 December 1930 as 7LA, the station currently broadcasts from studios in York Street, alongside sister station 90.1 Chilli FM. 89.3 LAFM also has a station in Scottsdale named 540 7SD which currently broadcasts on 540 kHz.

History

Established as 7LA in 1930, the station was formerly operated under various networks, including AWA Limited,

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and

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. In 1978, the station shifted frequency to 1098 AM as part of a nationwide frequency move on the AM band, changing from 10 kHz spacing to 9 kHz. In 2002, television station ABNT-3 vacated VHF channel 3, opening up space for further FM radio services in Launceston. In 2005, it was announced that 7LA, along with 7EX and ABC Northern Tasmania were to move to the FM band - 7LA on 89.3, 7EX on 90.1 and ABC Northern Tasmania on 91.7. In 2008, the station relaunched as 89.3 LAFM, with the AM service ceasing transmission in February 2009. Today, the station networks the majority of its programming to Scottsdale-based 7SD. In November 2021, 89.3 LAFM, along with other stations owned by

Grant Broadcasters Grant Broadcasters is an Australian regional radio network. Founded in 1942, by 2019 it owned 53 radio stations. In 2022 it sold 46 to Here, There & Everywhere retaining shareholdings in seven in Canberra, Geelong, Goulburn and Perth. History ...

, were acquired by the Australian Radio Network. This deal will allow Grant's stations, including LAFM, to access ARN's iHeartRadio platform in regional areas. The deal was finalized on January 4, 2022.ARN and Grant Broadcasters unite to create Australia's leading radio and digital audio business
''AdNews Australia'' 4 January 2022 It is expected LAFM will integrate with ARN's

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, but will retain its current name according to the press release from ARN.

On Air

Weekdays: *6:00–9:00 Jules For Breakfast *9:00–12:00 Tasmania Talks with Richard Perno *12:00–2:00 The Long Lunch with Shayne Brian *2:00–6:00 Afternoons with Fairsy *6:00-7:00 Jam Nation with Jonesy & Amanda *7:00–9:00 20/20 Retro Countdown *9:00-10:00 The Christian O'Connell Show *10:00–6:00 Music Overnight Saturday: *6:00–10:00 Rotating Announcer *10:00–6:00 Rotating Announcer *6:00–2:00 Party On Sunday: *6:00–8:00 Rotating Announcer *8:00–10:00 Rotating Announcer *10:00–6:00 Rotating Announcer *6:00–12:00 20/20 Retro Rewind 2017 LAFM Number of Listeners: Breakfast ( 5:30am-9am): 29,100
Mornings ( 9am-12pm): 23,900
Afternoon ( 12pm-4pm): 25,500
Drive ( 4pm-7pm): 24,500
Evening ( 7pm-12am): 4,100
Weekend ( Sat-Sun 5:30am-12am): 26,100

External links

LAFM official website

References

Radio Heritage Foundation - 7LA Launceston - Reproduction of "7LA Launceston The Original and Feature Station, Broadcast Year Book and Radio Listeners' Annual of Australia 1946-47. Editor: C C Faulkner."
{{Grant Broadcasters Radio stations in Tasmania Radio stations established in 1930 Adult contemporary radio stations in Australia Australian Radio Network