River 94.9
Encyclopedia
River 94.9 is a commercial radio station, that broadcasts to South-East Queensland. The station opened in February 1990, and was formerly known as Star 106.9, which used to operate on the frequency now occupied by Nova 106.9
. The station was previously owned by Rural Press & Bundaberg Broadcasters, forming part of the Star Broadcasting Network. It was sold to Grant Broadcasters
in May 2008, by Fairfax Media
due to diversity rules controlled by Australian Communications and Media Authority
, which prevents more than 2 licences overlapping into a market owned by the same group.
The original programming of the station was a contemporary hit music format
, with specialist programming including 'Wild Nights', a format licenced from former community radio station Wild FM. In late 2003, after changes in administration, the station took on a more Adult Contemporary focus, and positioned themselves playing "The Biggest Variety of Hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and whatever", and implemented a 'No Repeat Workday'.
River 94.9 is currently the only radio station broadcasting into the Brisbane
radio market, to be using dynamic RDS (Radio Data System). Dynamic on-screen data displayed on compatible radios, includes the station's name, slogan and title and artist of currently playing song.
In 2008, River 94.9 was the official broadcaster for South-East Queensland, of the Macquarie Radio Network
's Olympic Radio Coverage.
to launch their NOVA
branded station in Brisbane). The start-up of this station meant the end of Star 106.9 and its format.
The change from QFM to STAR FM started out with the station focusing on the 60's. This was expanded gradually progressing to include the 70's, and further the 80's, which then progressed into running a 60's - now format with a strong focus on the older music.
Because of the geographic location of Star FM's Transmitter and the positioning of the frequency between 2 other very strong signals (ABC Classic FM (106.1)
and Triple J (107.7)
) without co-locating transmitters meant that Star FM's signal didn't reach very far in to Brisbane City (where the majority of Ipswich residents commute to on a daily basis). This was the Main motivation for Star 106.9FM to be allocated a move to 94.9FM.
The flipside, and situation that persists with River 94.9 even today, was the that signal had equal to better reach than the Brisbane radio stations towards the west and Toowoomba, with a large volume of advertisements for companies and stores in those regions.
Due to licensing restrictions, Star 106.9FM was never a participant in the Brisbane radio surveys.
Star-FM's Format prior to the River 94.9/CHR format switch, was very much like what River 949 play now.
Also, prior to the switch to River 94.9, Star FM had changed its call sign from "4QFM" to "4MIX" which to this day still stands. Some have said this was a purposeful move - much to the dis-affection of ARN's 97'3FM as it is the only "ARN station in its format to NOT carry the "MIXFM" branding
Nova 106.9
Nova 106.9 is a commercial radio station operating in Brisbane, Australia, owned by the DMG Radio Network. DMG Radio purchased the Brisbane FM licence for $80 million in April 2004 to complete their national network of Nova stations...
. The station was previously owned by Rural Press & Bundaberg Broadcasters, forming part of the Star Broadcasting Network. It was sold to Grant Broadcasters
Grant Broadcasters
Grant Broadcasters is an Australian regional radio network that also includes a small number of metropolitan radio stations. It is a privately owned company, held by Janet Cameron and her family. The company was started by Cameron's father, Walter Grant in the 1970s.-CHR/Rock:*Hot 100 100.1 FM and...
in May 2008, by Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...
due to diversity rules controlled by Australian Communications and Media Authority
Australian Communications and Media Authority
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is an Australian government statutory authority within the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio...
, which prevents more than 2 licences overlapping into a market owned by the same group.
The original programming of the station was a contemporary hit music format
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
, with specialist programming including 'Wild Nights', a format licenced from former community radio station Wild FM. In late 2003, after changes in administration, the station took on a more Adult Contemporary focus, and positioned themselves playing "The Biggest Variety of Hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and whatever", and implemented a 'No Repeat Workday'.
River 94.9 is currently the only radio station broadcasting into the Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
radio market, to be using dynamic RDS (Radio Data System). Dynamic on-screen data displayed on compatible radios, includes the station's name, slogan and title and artist of currently playing song.
In 2008, River 94.9 was the official broadcaster for South-East Queensland, of the Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network is the name of the company that owns and operates 2GB and 2CH in Sydney and MTR 1377 in Melbourne. It is a publicly listed company, majority owned by John Singleton. The Chief Executive is Angela Clarke....
's Olympic Radio Coverage.
Star 106.9
Prior to its current format, the station was called Star 106.9FM (Call sign 4QFM), playing the "classic" hits and was a change in format from what was 106.9 "Q"FM. Eventually the company behind the station decided to change formats and acquired the license for 94.9fm (The 106.9 frequency was eventually auctioned and bought by the DMG Radio NetworkDMG Radio Australia
DMG Radio Australia operates commercial radio networks in metropolitan and regional areas of Australia. The company is 50% owned by United Kingdom company, Daily Mail and General Trust Group. Lachlan Murdoch's Illyria Pty Ltd bought 50% of the company in November 2009.DMG Radio Australia was formed...
to launch their NOVA
Nova 106.9
Nova 106.9 is a commercial radio station operating in Brisbane, Australia, owned by the DMG Radio Network. DMG Radio purchased the Brisbane FM licence for $80 million in April 2004 to complete their national network of Nova stations...
branded station in Brisbane). The start-up of this station meant the end of Star 106.9 and its format.
The change from QFM to STAR FM started out with the station focusing on the 60's. This was expanded gradually progressing to include the 70's, and further the 80's, which then progressed into running a 60's - now format with a strong focus on the older music.
Because of the geographic location of Star FM's Transmitter and the positioning of the frequency between 2 other very strong signals (ABC Classic FM (106.1)
ABC Classic FM
ABC Classic FM is a classical music radio station available in Australia, and internationally online. It is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . It was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music" , before adopting its current name...
and Triple J (107.7)
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
) without co-locating transmitters meant that Star FM's signal didn't reach very far in to Brisbane City (where the majority of Ipswich residents commute to on a daily basis). This was the Main motivation for Star 106.9FM to be allocated a move to 94.9FM.
The flipside, and situation that persists with River 94.9 even today, was the that signal had equal to better reach than the Brisbane radio stations towards the west and Toowoomba, with a large volume of advertisements for companies and stores in those regions.
Due to licensing restrictions, Star 106.9FM was never a participant in the Brisbane radio surveys.
Star-FM's Format prior to the River 94.9/CHR format switch, was very much like what River 949 play now.
Also, prior to the switch to River 94.9, Star FM had changed its call sign from "4QFM" to "4MIX" which to this day still stands. Some have said this was a purposeful move - much to the dis-affection of ARN's 97'3FM as it is the only "ARN station in its format to NOT carry the "MIXFM" branding