CAN I BECOME A BROADCASTER? Yes you can! If you are one of the S.36c categories (described in the General Information), we would like to hear from you. Just contact us during office hours to talk it over. We can help you choose your presenter/s and then assist you with as much training as you need to be able to present a listenable programme. So take the plunge and get your programme or message out to the Bay!
Our S.36c programmes take priority but, in the interludes between these, we use either an automated computer playlist of music, or we make some slots available to volunteers to present their own community-orientated or music programmes (a charge will be negotiated depending on several key factors). If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact us during office hours to register your name. Slots are limited, and there is a waiting list, but occasional vacancies do occur so it's always worthwhile putting your name down.
I'M SECTION 36c-ELIGIBLE. HOW MUCH DOES IT ALL COST? 8am - 10pm
per Hour - $45.00
per Half-Hour - $25.00
10pm - 8am
per Hour - $20.00
per Half-Hour - $10.00
These rates are extremely favourable compared with mainstream radio. You can cover or offset your on-air costs by obtaining a sponsor or one or more advertisers. This is important income for the station and while we can be of a certain amount of assistance we do rely on broadcasters seeking out a potential sponsor (or sponsors) for their show. A normal sponsorship package might comprise naming rights to the show, periodic mentions of sponsors during the show, and a show trailer (advertisement) played throughout the week, mentioning the show, the sponsor and the time.
Other ways of offsetting your costs might be: fundraising, donations, or applying for a community grant. We may be able to provide some advice with initiating this.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON CONTENT AND DURATION?
Your programme can be as long or as short as you want. (Programmes are charged in half-hour and hour periods, as detailed above).
Certain broadcasting standards must be respected, plus we expect common-sense judgment and good taste. We will give you a written guide to assist in this, and will also ask you to sign a standard agreement form. Aside from all that, your time is your own and the community airwaves await you!
I'M NOT A TECHNICAL PERSON. WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK THE EQUIPMENT?
It's easier than you might think! Obviously it helps if you've got a natural affinity with buttons and switches etc, but even non-technical people have found they can operate our panel without too much difficulty. Don't worry about it - we will give you full training and support and will help you to be both competent and confident with the equipment prior to your first programme. If preferred, we can make sure a panel-operator is on hand to guide and mentor you through your first few broadcasts.
We also offer the option of pre-recording your programme (and editing it for later broadcast if necessary). This may be of help if you cannot be there to present your programme "live" at the time it's scheduled, or if there are likely to be technical issues during your session. We can discuss this on a case-by-case basis.
SO HOW DO I ACTUALLY GET THE BALL ROLLING?
Plan what you'd like to do. Think: about the content, what you would include or exclude, whether you see the show as a mix of music and talk, interviews, pre-recorded content from another source, or a mix of all of these.
The next step is to meet with us to discuss your plan. While we don't dictate the content of your show, we do need to ensure that it "fits" within the Access framework and that we can accommodate it. Available slots can be scarce on certain days and at certain times, but we always do our best to find appropriate placing for shows which meet the aims of the station while also maximising the exposure of your show to its intended audience.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Don't hesitate to call and talk to one of the friendly team during business hours. Or send us an email or fax, or write to us. (For details, click the "Contact Us" tab).
