96five Family FM
| City of license | Brisbane, Queensland |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Brisbane Gold Coast Sunshine Coast Ipswich Tweed Heads |
| Branding | Family-FM 96five |
| Slogan |
Family's Number One Music that Matters |
| Frequency | 96.5 MHz FM |
| First air date | November 1, 2001[1] |
| Format | Christian radio |
| Language(s) | English |
| ERP | 12,000 watts |
| HAAT | 283 m[2] |
| Transmitter coordinates | 27°27′47″S 152°56′49″E / 27.46306°S 152.94694°E |
| Callsign meaning |
4 = Queensland Family Radio Brisbane |
| Owner | Family Radio Ltd |
| Website | Official website |
96five (call sign: 4FRB) is a community broadcast radio station operated by Family Radio Ltd in Brisbane, Australia. The radio stations continued operation is supported by sponsorship, fundraising and pledges.
Programming
The radio station is an "independent" community Christian broadcasting station. Similar to radio stations in Melbourne Light FM and Sydney's Hope 103.2, Family FM has moved towards a mainstream sound and outward appearance, both in terms of product (programming) and branding.
The music and programming style strongly resembles that offered by Commercial Radio stations in these markets. The radio stations have a fully paid programming and administrative staff, and very limited opportunities are available for volunteers or direct community participation.
Family FM, in a manner similar to other capital city Christian operated radio stations, presents mainstream artists, alongside typical commercial radio elements such as Traffic Updates, Promotional Cars and Give-aways, Cash Give-aways, however offer very limited time to Christian program material.
The Christian program material that the station does present is infused into what would be normally considered regular programming. Short 30 and 60 second spots promoting Christian ethics and values are occasionally placed between songs.
Insight For Living is placed in a time slot unlikely to attract interest or criticism, and is heard from 5.30am to 6am Monday to Friday. Other longer programs are placed early on Sunday mornings. The remainder of the station's output emulates commercial radio formats, similar in Brisbane to 97.3 FM.
The radio station, rather than promoting what it does do, places emphasis on what it does not do. To demonstrate this point, the radio station stakes its position as not providing material to offend, or that is considered inappropriate to a wider Christian oriented audience.
96five Inspire DAB will saw the broadcast of inspire Digital, to shared with a contemporary mix of Christian and mainstream music content.
Self description
Family FM (also identified as 96five) describes itself as being a "family-friendly broadcaster", with programming content that is suitable for all ages.
The stations music playlist, consists of both contemporary Christian artists, and also mainstream artists. The station guarantees that listeners will hear no bad language or questionable content.
96five also features numerous family tips throughout the day, and a number of specialty programs such as Focus on the Family and Talking life that deal with Christian, Mental health and family issues. These segments are each no longer than a couple of minutes.
The station also conducts regular Outside Broadcasts at various events and locations, examples include Primary Schools, The Royal Brisbane Show Ekka and at feature open days, and from business as part of sponsorship packages. Regular segments with positive messages are also aired from a number of family and ministry figures.
Studios
Family FM is based in the northern Brisbane suburb Alderley, in a shared facility with Cornerstone Christian Church, The Priceless Life Center. Their on-air block includes three studios, made up of an on air studio, back-up/recording studio and dedicated news room and studio. All three studios use automated music play-out software.
96five broadcasts from Broadcast Park, a shared broadcast facility on Mt. Coot-tha, which can be seen clearly from the Alderley studio complex.
Similar Radio Stations interstate
Christian Radio in this format and style is provided by separate organisations in:
- Melbourne - Light FM 89.9 MHz
- Sydney - Hope 103.2 103.2 MHz
Community Outreach
The radio station organises and liaises with a number of community outreach programs and initiatives through its ministry.
- Cool Choices - A program designed for High School Students to teach them about making positive life choices.
- Free Food Appeal - An initiative that provides an organisation or family with a free amount of donated food.
- The Street Machines - Where the radio station sends out its promotional vehicle with prizes, to various locations, twice a day.
- Elevation CDs - The station creates a CD of positive music, gathered from its playlists. These are occasionally handed out for free, as part of other initiatives.
See also
- List of Australian radio stations