96FM (Perth radio station)

96fm (call-sign: 6NOW) is a radio station broadcasting in Perth, Western Australia.

96fm

File:96FM.svg
Broadcast area	Perth
Frequency	96.1 MHz FM
Programming
Format	Pop, Rock,
Ownership
Owner	Southern Cross Broadcasting
History
First air date	1980
Technical information
ERP	40 kW
Links
Website	http://www.96fm.com.au

History

96fm began broadcasting on 96.1 MHz on August 8, 1980 as Perth's first commercial FM radio station. The first record played at the 4pm launch was Steely Dan's "FM (No Static at all)" with Gordon O'Byrne the first live "jock" to air.

96fm was the sole commercial FM station in Perth for the next decade - until such time as 6PM and 6KY successfully bid for the right to convert from the AM band to FM in the early 1990s.

By 1985, 96fm had reached #1 in the Perth radio ratings for the first time although 990 6PM on the AM band continued to be a strong number 2 for the remainder of the decade until 6PM converted to FM in 1990 as 92.9 6PMFM, then PMFM and now 92.9.

In 1993, Village Roadshow, owners of the Triple M network in the eastern states, bought out 96fm and renamed the station Triple M, though with the Today Network CHR music format, as opposed to the harder rock format of its eastern Triple M counterparts. The revamped station failed to make a major impact up against its FM rivals.

In 1997, Village Roadshow purchased PMFM and KYFM from local entrepreneur Jack Bendat. Australian media ownership laws required the divestiture of the station, and Village Roadshow subsequently sold it to Southern Cross Broadcasting which also owned AM radio station 6PR.

Southern Cross returned the station back to its original 96fm branding, with a new logo.

96fm recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Transmission

96fm transmits on 96.1 MHz across Perth and surrounding areas. It currently transmits on the Perth Radio Services tower adjacent to the Channel 7 tower in Television Rd, Bickley. It's ERP is 40KW omni-directional, which is the standard of the commercial FM stations in Perth. As well as covering Perth, 96fm can be heard as far North as New Norcia, South to Waroona and East to Northam. The studio itself, however, is located at 169 Hay Street, East Perth.

Current Lineup

• Breakfast - Tony and Fitzi
• Mornings - Steve Fitton
• Afternoons - Darren de Mello
• Drive - Gavin Miller
• Evenings - Wayne McClean
• Weekends - Daniel Gunn

Network Programs

Nights with Alice Cooper (Weeknights 10pm - 12am) My Generation (Saturdays 4pm to 6pm) Planet Rock Evolution (Sundays 8pm to 10pm)

Notable Past Announcers

Fred Botica
Gordon O'Byrne
Bob Stuart
Ben Wasley The Vixen