WOWfm 100.5 (ACMA call sign 5WOW[1]) is a community radio station based in Semaphore, South Australia, named in reference to its location in Adelaide's Western suburbs.
 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Adelaide Western Suburbs |
| Frequency | 100.5 MHz FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Way Out West Broadcasters Incorporated |
| History | |
First air date | 1994 |
Call sign meaning | Way Out West Broadcasters |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | ACMA |
| ERP | 400 watts |
| Links | |
Public licence information | Profile |
| Website | wowfm |
WOWfm is owned and operated by Way Out West Broadcasters Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)[2] incorporated in 1984. All presenters and Board members are volunteers.
The studios of WOWfm are located on Kaurna country.
History
editFrom 1994 through 2000, WOWfm held a number of short-term licences under the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL) scheme, broadcasting on 100.7 MHz.[3]
As a result of these successful transmissions, WOWfm commenced part time broadcasting in August 2000, originally broadcasting for 12 hours a day on 100.7 MHz[3] from 4am to 4pm daily. This frequency was shared with Dance 100 FM,[4] a contemporary dance music station broadcasting from 4pm to 4am daily.
On 11 August 2001, WOWfm commenced 24 hour broadcasting on 100.5 MHz.[3]
In October 2005, WOWfm's studios were the subject of an arson attack, causing $50,000 worth of damage[5] and taking the station off-air for at least two weeks.[6] This occurred after several weeks of threats being received by the station and its volunteers.[7]
In 2010, WOWfm held a fundraising concert at the Semaphore Palais to raise funds for the purchase of a new mast to broadcast "louder and wider across Adelaide".[8]
Programming
editWOWfm has approximately 30 volunteer presenters, with programs[9] spanning a range of musical genres including:
- Easy listening
- Traditional country music
- Film scores and soundtracks
- Psychadelia
- Soul, disco and funk
- Hip-hop
- Doo-wop
- African music
- Blues
- Local and Australian music
WOWfm also has a number of community-based talk programs, including a Spanish language program.
Awards
editWOWfm has won multiple South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA) Bilby Awards,[10] including Small Station of the Year in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020.[11]
Affiliations
editCommunity Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)[12]
South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA)[13]
References
edit- ^ "Register of Radiocommunications Licences". acma.gov.au. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Way Out West Broadcasters Inc". www.acnc.gov.au. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Innes, Stuart (11 August 2001). "COMMUNITY RADIO FINDS ITS OWN NICHE ON THE AIRWAVES; Volunteers heard loud and clear". Advertiser, The (Adelaide). News Australia Limited. p. 46.
- ^ McDonald, P; Yeaman, S (1 August 2000). "New radio station launches contemporary dance music". Advertiser, The (Adelaide). News Australia Limited. p. 20.
- ^ "SA: Radio station targeted in arson attack". AAP Australian National News Wire. Australian Associated Press. 23 October 2005.
- ^ "No new home yet for fire bombed WOW FM | radioinfo". radioinfo.com.au. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Radio station devastated by fire bombing". www.abc.net.au. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ "WOW FM sets its sights high". Weekly Times (Adelaide). News Limited Australia. 11 August 2010. p. 47.
- ^ "Program Guide". Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Awards". Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Bilby Awards 2020 – SACBA". Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "CBAA Find a Station". cbaa.org.au. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "SACBA Member Stations". sacba.org.au. Retrieved 4 August 2021.