Lofty 88.9 (ACMA call sign 5LCM[1]) is a community radio station based in Mount Barker, South Australia, named in reference to its location in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Adelaide Hills |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 88.9 MHz FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community Radio/Alternative |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Lofty Community Media Incorporated |
| History | |
First air date | 25 November 2018 |
Call sign meaning | "Lofty Community Media" |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | ACMA |
| ERP | 500W |
| Links | |
Public licence information | Profile |
| Website | lofty |
The station operates in Peramangk country and is staffed entirely by volunteers.
History
editLofty Community Media Incorporated (Lofty) was formed in June 2017 as a progressive alternative to similar media outlets operating in the Adelaide Hills area.
Initially operating as an online-only radio station, Lofty was granted a temporary community broadcasting licence (TCBL) by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in November 2018[2]
From November 2018, Lofty 88.9 shared the 88.9 MHz frequency with another TCBL holder, Hills Radio.[3] During this period, Lofty 88.9 broadcast on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
In October 2019, ACMA invited applications for a long-term community broadcasting licence in the Mount Barker area of the Adelaide Hills[4] via a competitive process that attracted multiple applicants, including Lofty 88.9 and Hills Radio.
In September 2020, ACMA granted this licence to Lofty 88.9 based on Lofty’s application "demonstrating a strong focus on encouraging community participation in the operations and programming of the station".[5]
Lofty 88.9 commenced broadcasting full-time on 1 October 2020.
Programming
editLofty 88.9 broadcasts a range of locally produced shows, along with a number of syndicated shows sourced from the Community Radio Network (Australia), Deutsche Welle and independent producers.
Awards
edit2018 SACBA Bilby Award for Best Sports Broadcast (runner-up)[6]
2021 SACBA Bilby Awards for Youth Contribution (runner-up), Best Radio Program (runner-up), Sports Broadcast, Interview [7]
Affiliations
editCommunity Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)[8]
South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA)[9]
References
edit- ^ "Register of Radiocommunications Licences". acma.gov.au. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "About Lofty". lofty.org.au. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Hills Radio in Mt Barker to shutter after ACMA review". Radio Today. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "ACMA makes a Lofty decision for the Adelaide Hills | radioinfo". www.radioinfo.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "ACMA allocates community broadcasting licence in Mt Barker". acma.gov.au. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "SACBA Bilby Awards 2018". sacba.org.au. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "SACBA Bilby Awards 2021". sacba.org.au. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "CBAA Find a Station". cbaa.org.au. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "SACBA Member Stations". sacba.org.au. Retrieved 30 May 2021.