89.1 Radio Blue Mountains

89.1 Radio Blue Mountains

Broadcast area	The Upper and Mid Blue Mountains
Slogan	Your Voice, Your Community
Frequency	89.1 MHz FM
First air date	January 8, 1993
Format	Community radio
Transmitter coordinates	33°42′45″S 150°18′44.5″E / 33.71250°S 150.312361°E / -33.71250; 150.312361Coordinates: 33°42′45″S 150°18′44.5″E / 33.71250°S 150.312361°E / -33.71250; 150.312361
Owner	The Blue Mountains Public Broadcasting Society Inc.
Webcast	89.1 Radio Blue Mountains Stream
Website	rbm.org.au

89.1 Radio Blue Mountains is a not-for-profit, all volunteer community radio station serving the Blue Mountains since 1993. It broadcasts 24 hours a day from its studio in Gang Gang Street, Katoomba, to a potential audience of some 75,000 people across the Blue Mountains and to a much wider national and international audience through internet streaming. Radio Blue Mountains is linked to the CBAA Community Radio Network, a national community radio network which provides a wide range of programming when local presenters are not available. The station is funded through listener support, grants and limited commercial sponsorship.

History

The Blue Mountains Public Broadcasting Society Inc was set up in Katoomba on 25 August 1985. Initial test broadcasts were conducted in and around Leura and Katoomba over the next six and a half years.

In June 1992, the then-Australian Broadcasting Tribunal granted a full-time community broadcasting licence to the society. Six months later on 8 January 1993 the society began its first official public broadcast to the community. ^[1]

They society were provided a popcorn rent in the lower section of the Nepean Community College which in turn had a popcorn rent with TAFE NSW at 7 Gang Gang St, Katoomba.

In 1994 the station purchased a satellite dish to enable it to receive the CBAA Community Radio Network programme feed, allowing 89.1 Radio Blue Mountains to broadcast 24 hours a day. The Society celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2007.^[2] In August 2008 the station obtained a licence to broadcast on the Internet and began implementing Internet streaming systems.

Programming

The station's diverse programming is designed to suit the needs of the Blue Mountains community, ranging from programs for the disabled to others featuring local bands. Interviews with people of interest to Blue Mountains residents and occasional live outside broadcasts are also a feature of its programming. The station’s programs involve a wide range of music styles including jazz, country, rock, dance, blues and classical as well as coverage of local issues and events.

Community Involvement

89.1 Radio Blue Mountains works closely with the all sections of the Blue Mountains community. Its close relationship with the Blue Mountains City Council has led to efforts to establish the station as an emergency communicator in times of bushfires and other catastrophes. The station encourages local musicians and runs the annual Battle of the Bands and highlights social and cultural activity in the Upper Blue Mountains through on-air interviews along with its daily promotion of community events through its Community Notice Board segments.

See also

• List of Australian radio stations

References

External links

• Official website