Switch 1197
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| 4BI | |
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| Broadcast area | Brisbane, Australia |
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| Branding | Switch 1197' |
| Frequency | 1197 kHz AM |
| First air date | 2002 |
| Format | Dance, Pop |
| Owner | Brisbane Interactive Radio Group Inc. |
| Website | http://www.switch1197.com |
Switch 1197 (call sign: 4BI) is a community broadcast radio station operated by Brisbane Interactive Radio Group Inc (BIRGI). BIRGI are a broad-based community minded youth focused broadcasting organisation based in Brisbane Queensland, Australia.
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[edit] History
Switch 1197 operated on a temporary broadcasting licence for short periods on the FM band at 97.3 MHz. This frequency was auctioned to commercial broadcaster MIX-FM (Australian Radio Network in association with DMG Radio Australia). The station was then known as Switch FM.
In 2002, the government broadcasting regulator, the Australian Broadcasting Authority, granted a high powered FM community licence to Christian broadcaster 96five Family FM on 96.5 MHz, and a high powered AM community licence to BIRGI on 1197 kHz.[1]
Switch 1197 began test transmissions in late 2002 and began full time broadcasting at 8am on April 7th 2003, identifying as i1197. From this period of time until January 2005, the station broadcast a wide range of music genres and programming, with a focus on Top 40 music.
From January 2005, the station was re-branded to the programming format based upon its predecessor Switch FM, focusing on playing more commercial dance and upbeat music, and it has remained to this day.
[edit] Online streaming
In 2004, Switch 1197 was the first radio station in Australia to stream with Orban Opticodec aacPlus technology - this allows better than FM quality at only 32 kbit/s. You can listen to the aacPlus stream if you have Winamp here, or alternatively you can download the free Orban Opticodec plugin for Windows Media Player here and click here to play. A CD quality 128 kbit/s MP3 stream is also available here.
In 2006, Switch 1197 added a PIPE Networks relay of the 128 kbit/s and aacPlus streams that certain ISPS provide as unmetered traffic, allowing extended listening without impacting download allowances. This stream is currently unavailable while PIPE reconfigure their streaming network.
In 2007, Switch 1197 was added to the Internode Broadband Radio Streams that are provided by Australian ISP, Internode, as unmetered traffic to their customers. The stream can be accessed by Internode customers via this link.
[edit] Programming
The stations general daytime programing contains a music mix of commercial Dance and Pop music. During this time, various announcers present entertaining and informative pieces. Various segments are also aired, most with a specific focus (eg. Local Events, Health, News etc.).
The stations night-time programming airs more specialist musical programming of various styles, and various extended and remix music.
A few of the local specialist music based programming the station broadcasts includes:
- Birdee Num Num Simulcast- A weekly overnight simulcast from prominent local nightclub Birdee Num Num.
- The Underground - A program broadcasting a variety of styles and local DJ mixes.
- The Yellow Brick Road - A program broadcasting a different style of music each week.
Switch 1197 also broadcasts specialist programs produced from other sources within Australia, including:
- Clubbers Drive - A club music program from Fresh FM, Adelaide.
- SoulGood - A house music program produced from Fresh FM, Adelaide.
- Wild Revolution - A club music program aired on various stations throughout Australia.
- and various music programming from the CBBA's Community Radio Network satellite service.
Switch 1197 also airs music programs produced internationally, including:
- The Deep Blue Radio Show - A weekly DJ mix program produced by Agnelli and Nelson and Solarstone
- MC Mario's Mixdown - A countdown of the top ten dance songs from North America.
- Markus Schulz's Global DJ Broadcast - A weekly DJ mix program, featuring Dance, Trance and House Music.
The station has also recently increased the amount of specialty information and entertainment programming. Locally, this includes:
- The 'Are Youth Being Served' program - A weekly political and current affairs show full of wit, humour and insightful analysis of where Australia is and where it's heading.
- The 'Sports Shorts' program - A weekly wrap up of Sports from right around the world.
- A Sunday evening variety program - hosted by comedians Mike Shannahan and Mick Steele.
A number of magazine programs produced from other sources within Australia, including:
- The Cybershack - A weekly computer and technology focused program aired on various stations throughout Australia.
- Diffusion - a weekly program focused on the world of Science.
- Tech Talk Radio - A weekly independent technology focused program, that includes discussion on the latest news and issues.
Also, a number of magazine programs from international sources, including:
- Deutsche Welle's "Cool" - A weekly youth program, with a variety of topics.
- This Way Out - One of the worlds longest running Gay and Lesbian news and magazine programs; broadcast on more than 150 sources worldwide.
[edit] References
- ^ New community radio licence for Brisbane. Retrieved on 19 February 2008.
[edit] See also
- The Other Nite Show - A weekly show that was broadcast from Switch every Friday night in Early 2005
- List of Australian radio stations
[edit] External links
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