Metro FM

This article is about the South African radio station. For other uses, see Metro FM (disambiguation).
For the North East England station formerly known as "Metro FM", see Metro Radio.
Metro FM
Broadcast area South Africa, broadcast nationwide
Frequency Regional (varies)
First air date October, 1986
Format Urban contemporary
Owner SABC
Webcast Official website

Metro FM is a national radio station in South Africa owned by the SABC. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 181[1]

History

The station started broadcasting in October, 1986 as Radio Metro to compete with the now defunct Radio Bop. Playing a mix of urban contemporary and bubblegum pop Radio Bop was able to reach black audiences in parts of the Transvaal by broadcasting on the AM band from the "independent" bantustan of Bophuthatswana where it was licensed. This prompted the SABC's then white management to launch Radio Metro which was put on air in about six months, from the planning stages.

The station launched the careers of many radio celebrities including Bob Mabena, Shado Twala and Lawrence Dube.

Over the years the station has had to compete with new players on the radio dial, including the very competitive Johannesburg radio market where two stations, Khaya FM and YFM, launched in mid/late 1990s have taken away some audience that would have normally gravitated towards Metro FM.

Broadcast time

Listenership figures

Estimated Listenership[3]
7 Day Ave. Mon-Fri
May 2013 5 713 000 2 110 000
Feb 2013 5 722 000 2 143 000
Dec 2012 5 763 000 2 171 000
Oct 2012 6 013 000 2 223 000
Aug 2012 6 252 000 2 317 000
Jun 2012 6 423 000 2 432 000

References

  1. ↑ Metro FM Facebook Page (Info)
  2. ↑ The Annual Guide to Radio in South Africa (AdVantage 2012). Media 24. 2012.
  3. ↑ SAARF RAMS (Presentations)

External links