Our Story
ABOUT
Yarona FM is an urban music youth national broadcaster based in Gaborone, Botswana. The Yarona FM core audience comprises of young, upwardly mobile men and women within the 20-29 age bracket with spillage on either side of this age group. The station began its national broadcasts in 2008 after starting out as a regional broadcaster in 1999. The Yarona FM signal cover over 70% of the population and is mainly available in the following urban and semi urban cities, towns and villages in Botswana: Gaborone, Lobatse, Mahalapye, Serowe, Palapye, Selibe Phikwe, Francistown, Maun, Orapa/ Letlhakane, Hukuntsi and Sojwe.
LISTENERSHIP
There are no audience figures available in Botswana, but Yarona FM has emerged the leading independent radio station in terms of popularity in the last previous two Botswana Broadcast Audience surveys conducted in 2009 and 2013 respectively. The Station is also the most popular in the LSM 10 category and has an 84.4% approval rating amongst the youth aged between 15 and 29.
THE BRAND
The Yarona FM brand is POSITIVE, HIGH ENERGY, DANCE, URBAN, VIBRANT, INNOVATIVE and YOUTH. The station rocks the freshest, newest tracks ๏ฌrst and encapsulates an urban lifestyle underpinned by a hunger for success and a drive for progress. Sporting the most recognizable and trend setting presenters in the game today, Yarona FM simply Rocks! All Day, All Night, All Week. The Yarona FM positioning statement, โLive The Musicโ is testament to this. Music is not all the station is about though. Great contests, promotions, charity initiatives and various community engagements keep Yarona FM Number 1.
AWARDS
Lilac Media Awards
Winner - Best Overall Radio Station; 2012, 2013
Winner - Best Station in Sports; 2012, 2013
Winner - Best Station in International News, 2012
Winner - Best in Music; 2012, 2013
Winner - Best Station in General Content
Winner - Best Station in Talk Shows; 2012, 2013
Runner-up - Most Trustworthy Station; 2013
Runner-up โ Best Station in Local News; 2012, 2013
Runner-up โ Best Station in Business News; 2012
MISA Botswana Media Awards
Best Radio Station 2012
Best Presenter-Tshepang DJ Izzy Motsisi; 2012
Best News Reader- Thapelo Mhauli; 2012
31St Annual BNSC Sports Awards
Broadcast Media House of the Year; 2011
The station has also produced a litany of award winning broadcasters who are actively engaged within the local broadcast landscape today.
PRESENTER LINE UP
Yarona FMโs presenters are celebrities in their right and this is reflected in the huge following and influence they have in music, social media and lifestyle circles, especially in the capital Gaborone. The group consists of club DJs, socialites and event MCs.
PRIME TIME
The Yarona FM programming format is designed is such a way that all shows offer prime slots. To offer diversity, the station has spread its most popular features and presenters throughout the day to increase listenership in the traditionally non-prime time slots. However, the breakfast and afternoon drive shows remain the most popular. Fashion and lifestyle features are popular in the afternoon drive, evening and mid-day shows respectively.
PRODUCT ENDORSEMENT
The Yarona FM brand cuts beyond broadcasting and music, as due to its huge following, the Station is usually drawn in to lifestyle and community engagement activities. As such our presenters can serve as brand ambassadors and can be used for product endorsement.