31/12/2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we look back at what actually did happen with our suggestions and hopes for the year in radio
Unfortunately, Nothing happened. Not a single Victorian AM music station converted to FM at all
(Shoutout to Mudgee, where 2MG converted in March)
So now, we revisit this post. Maybe the ACMA would like to move faster on it this time? We could rename it "Things we'd like to see in 2025" but everything else is still the same
THINGS WE'D LIKE TO SEE IN 2024 - PART 1
We've touched on the surface of 531 3GG's conversion from AM to FM, it was only earlier this year that the ACMA opened up conversions for regional areas where companies only own 1 commercial station, competing against another company in that same region, previously conversions from AM to FM were only open to areas where a company owns both stations, in the usual case, one is on AM and the other is already on FM
For 3GG, they are owned by the Capital Radio Network, the only station that they own in Victoria. The FM station in the area is owned by Southern Cross Austereo, that's Triple M on 94.3 for the Latrobe Valley with a relay on 97.9 in Traralgon
Finally, the gate is open from the ACMA for 3GG to move to FM, but could they? Was there enough room to do so? Hopefully this lengthy piece can be of interest as we go through what we think could work as possible proposals
Since 3GG were contacted by us in December 2022, and they actually HAVEN'T responded, we're putting these suggestions on the public record instead
We saw some rather interesting wording in the ACMA documentation earlier this year, where it stated that if a reserved ABC licence hadn't been activated yet, it can be negotiated to be reassigned, in order for the AM station to move to FM, and it just happens that the ABC were given two licences back in 2001
The two licences were 95.1 and 95.9. As we all know, the ABC introduced News Radio to Gippsland by using the 95.1 licence, but have never used the 95.9 licence. Knowing that they have Triple J on 96.7, ABC Gippsland on 100.7 and ABC Classic FM on 101.5, it was only Radio National who aren't being heard from Mt. Tassie
The question is, was it needed though? Apparently the signal from Melbourne is sufficient enough on 621 AM that Mt. Tassie doesn't need a local relay, so 95.9 has been left sitting for 2 decades
It would make sense for 3GG to indicate that they'd not only be interested in moving to FM, but to ask the ACMA to use 95.9, with agreement from the ABC, as they aren't using it, we don't see a reason why they'd object, especially when it's now ACMA's intention on using these unused frequencies
But that's only one piece of the puzzle, GG FM, as we are predicting it will be called, would need a relay, just like Triple M does out at Traralgon at 500 watts Directional, but where would GG FM's relay be located on the FM band?
Some possible proposals, if we may suggest them, either silly or have merit, you may judge for yourself
Firstly, a direct frequency swap with Vision Australia Radio, or 3RPH. They're currently on 93.5 covering Warragul, right next door to Triple M on 94.3. Let's say they were offered 531 AM, along the same lines as Ace Radio offered Vision Australia Radio in Warrnambool to move to AM to let 3YB go to FM, the precedence is there
If 3RPH accepted, then the 93.5 frequency would be available. If it were to be a relay in Traralgon, it would be further away from any interference that the Bendigo licence, Triple M (3BO) could have caused, or vice versa, and be amended to 500 watts Directional, the same as Gippsland's Triple M relay on 97.9
It would also be beneficial to 3RPH as they'd cover more of the Valley on AM than they currently do on FM
By the way, does anyone know why 3RPH on 93.5 is currently broadcasting a stereo signal? It's been on for months now. Is this an indication of movement of some sort for next year on a possible agreement?
However, if that offer were to be knocked back, we have a second proposal. Another direct frequency swap but with the Horse Racing outlet RSN (3UZ) who have a HPON relay on 92.7 FM in Yarram, along with various LPON's scattered in many towns in the Latrobe Valley. If they were to move to 531 AM, even as a HPON, they'd have better reception in the region, and not need the LPON's, another player could use them like UCB's Vision Christian Radio who only have a relay on 97.5 in Bairnsdale, or maybe KIX Country who don't have any relays in the region
Therefore 92.7 would be available for GG FM's relay, moving the licence location from Yarram to Traralgon is a matter of going North, nothing complicated, plus any interference with Bendigo's ABC Classic FM also on 92.7 wouldn't be a factor. A reclassification would be needed, increased power, and it would be all done and dusted
However, we are aware that RSN might not agree to that situation either, so we've found a final proposal which is probably more likely to happen as it involves another unusued licence that was reserved for use by the ABC, but still hasn't been activated
The licence in question is in Foster on 88.7, we've put our thinking caps on and wouldn't think any ABC station from Mt. Tassie would need a relay in Foster, and if it did they'd need 5 frequencies, but there's only 1 reserved, so we're guessing maybe Radio National was the plan, but again, Melbourne's signal on 621 AM is sufficient
So, let's say the ACMA were approached by 3GG to also look into that unusued frequency in Foster, and the ABC agreed to the licence being converted into a commercial licence, that would resolve and finally complete the whole conversion from AM to FM for 3GG
And since they've shown interest in recent times of converting to FM, any of these proposals could be a viable option
Thoughts? Criticisms? Did we get it right? Did we miss anything?
There's more posts to come in the "Things we'd like to see in 2024" series
