Community radio is gaining popularity among Australians according to recent survey results*.
In an average month the number of Australians aged 15+ listening to community radio has risen from 7,054,000 people (45%) in 2004 to 7,515,000 people (47%) in 2006—an increase of 7 per cent in the total number of people listening.
While results show an increase in overall community radio listeners across Australia with people aged 15+, Darwin remains the strongest capital city for growth and community radio listener-ship for the second year running.
Results showed 92 per cent of Darwin tuned into radio, 69 per cent of the listeners were tuning into their local community station, an increase from 67 per cent from 2004. It appears commercial broadcasting is losing community relevance.
When asked what this increase was attributed to, station manager of Darwin’s largest community radio station, 104.1 Territory FM, Peter Perrin stated, “I firmly believe the people of Darwin and Palmerston don’t enjoy a token amount of local info, bombarded with ad after ad or played the same songs over and over again, as is very often the case. Local issues, genuine music variety and real people are highly desired by our audience, and we know through feedback 104.1 Territory FM delivers on these key fundamentals.
“Unfortunately a lot of community radio is associated with amateurism, however in the case of 104.1 this is a grave misconception. At Territory FM, we strive to achieve standards of the highest quality and any negative perception is rapidly changing. People are tuning to 104.1 Territory FM and expressions of interest in sponsorship are through the roof and we’ve just started,” Peter said.
For more information, contact Mr. Peter Perrin at (08) 8946 6266, email peter.perrin@cdu.edu.au, or visit www.territoryfm.com
* Source: McNair Ingenuity Research Pty Ltd 2006