| Broadcast area | Upper and Mid Blue Mountains |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 89.1 mHz FM |
| First air date | January 8, 1993 |
| Format | Community radio |
| Owner | The Blue Mountains Public Broadcasting Society Inc. |
| Webcast | Blu FM Listen Live |
| Website | Official Website |
BLU FM (callsign 2BLU) is a community radio station based in Katoomba and broadcasting to the surrounding Blue Mountains region in New South Wales. The station is licensed to broadcast FM within the area stretching from Mount Victoria to Woodford and on the Internet.
The mission of BLU FM is to promote access and involvement from all sections of the local community to produce material for broadcast. BLU FM is a volunteer run organisation and is funded through listener support, grants and limited commercial sponsorship.
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The Blue Mountains Public Broadcasting Society was set up at a public meeting in Katoomba in 1985. The society conducted test transmissions at various times between 1986 and 1992. These are fully operational and programmed broadcasts, but are usually limited to one or two weeks at a time.[1] In June 1992, the then Australian Broadcasting Tribunal granted a full time community broadcasting licence to the society.[2]
When BLU FM started it was on air for just four days a week. By the end of its first year this had increased to seven days a week. In 1994 the station purchased a satellite dish to enable it to receive the CBAA Community Radio Network program feed, allowing BLU FM to broadcast 24 hours a day. The Society celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2007.[3]
In August 2008 BLU FM obtained a license to broadcast on the Internet and began implementing Internet streaming systems. The Internet stream and web hosting for the BLU FM website was provided by a sponsor.
BLUyouth is a recent initiative set up as part of BLU FM, to help the young community of the Blue Mountains . It runs in three components: youth shows on BLU FM, attracting youth listeners and BLUyouth online. As well as its on air presence, BLUyouth organsies local gigs and fundraising for the station.[4] Because BLU FM is the only locally based broadcaster, it has agreements with local emergency services to broadcast information in times of natural disaster such as flooding and bushfires.[5] BLU FM is a key supporter of the local music industry both on air and in the community, helping to organise and run the Battle of the Bands every May and Blue Mountains Music Week in November.[6]
The station’s current programs cover a range of music styles including jazz, country, rock, dance and blues as well as coverage of local issues and events. The weekly Mountains of Music features only local bands and musicians.