Wikipedia

5MU

5MU is an adult hits-formatted commercial radio station based in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, the station has repeaters at Victor Harbor on 97.1 MHz and in the Adelaide Hills on 94.3 MHz.

5MU
Broadcast areaMurray Bridge RA1
Frequency96.3 MHz
BrandingBetter Music & More of It - 5MU
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatAdult hits
NetworkPure Gold Network
Ownership
Owner
Power FM SA
History
First air date
16 September 1934 (1934-09-16)
Former frequencies
  • 1450 kHz (1934–1978)
  • 1458 kHz (1978–1988)
  • 1125 kHz (1988–2021)
Technical information
Licensing authority
ACMA
ERP20 kW
Transmitter coordinates
35°9′7″S 139°12′51″E / 35.15194°S 139.21417°E / -35.15194; 139.21417
Repeater(s)
Links
Public licence information
Profile
Website5mu.com.au

History

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5MU began after master engineer and World War I signaller Frank Miller was granted a broadcast license and began operation on 16 September 1934[1][2] as South Australia's second-ever radio station, with a wooden mast and antenna system.[3] It initially operated on evenings seven days a week and during the day on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.[4] A controlling interest was acquired by Advertiser Newspapers Ltd, publishers of The Advertiser and owners of 5AD in Adelaide, in early 1935; 5MU aired some of 5AD's programs.[5][6]

The station is known to be South Australia's longest serving callsign, being continuously known as 5MU right through their various frequency changes and as of September 2024 they run on FM.[citation needed]

In the 1970s, to comply with the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975 in which Australia adopted in 1978, 5MU changed frequencies from 1450 kHz to 1458kHz.[7] In about 1988, 5MU switched over to the 1125 kHz frequency from their original 1458 kHz frequency due to the introduction of C-QUAM AM Stereo.[8]

The station was purchased from South East Telecasters in 1998 by Australian Regional Broadcasters, that company's first purchase outside its Western Australia base.[9] The company had already planned to introduce an FM station to the area; Power FM launched in 2000, by which time the station was owned by Grant Broadcasters.[10]

In 2021, after consultation from the region, 5MU officially converted to the FM band and started broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, with repeaters on the South Coast (north of Port Elliot) on 97.1 MHz and in the Adelaide Hills on 94.3 MHz in the same vein as sister station Power FM SA. The 1125 kHz frequency was switched off after a grace period to let people know to switch over in March 2021.[11]

In November 2021, 5MU, along with other stations owned by Grant Broadcasters, were acquired by the Australian Radio Network. This deal allows Grant's stations, including 5MU, to access ARN's iHeartRadio platform in regional areas. The deal was finalized on 4 January 2022.[12]

Main programs

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Former talent

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References

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  1. ^ "Murray Bridge Broadcasting Company". The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser. Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia. 21 September 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "ACMA Register of Radiocommunications Licences (RRL)". web.acma.gov.au. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  3. ^ Patterson, Sarah (15 September 2024). "90 fabulous years of radio: Happy Birthday 5MU". Radio Today. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Murray Bridge Broadcasting Station". The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser. Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia. 7 September 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "'The Advertiser' Radio Stations". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 4 February 1935. p. 16. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Advertiser Newspapers Limited: Chairman Reports Satisfactory Position". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 26 February 1936. p. 16. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Treaties". www.info.dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Cape Dx - Gary Deacon". deacon131.rssing.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  9. ^ Nash, Kate (19 February 1998). "Change in the air at radio 5MU". The Advertiser. p. 42.
  10. ^ "Power FM to make debut". The Advertiser. 25 March 2000. p. 24.
  11. ^ Strathearn, Peri. "Radio station 5MU will switch from AM to FM". www.murraybridge.news. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  12. ^ "HT&E Completes Acquisition of Grant Broadcasters – ARN". Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Adam and Jennie". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  14. ^ "More Music Mornings". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Around SA". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Saturday Sports Show". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Jonesy & Amanda". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  18. ^ "The Christian O'Connell Show". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  19. ^ "20 20 Retro Countdown". 5MU. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  20. ^ Gilbertson, Matt (11 June 2018). "Fitting reward for a legend". The Advertiser. p. 12.
  21. ^ "THEATRE". Hills Messenger. 26 July 1995. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
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