89.9 TheLight

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

89.9 TheLight
Broadcast areaMelbourne, Victoria[1]
FrequencyFM: 89.9 MHz
DAB+: VHF block 9A
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatContemporary Christian music
Ownership
OwnerPositive Media Inc.
(Positive Media Inc.)
History
First air date
19 December 2001; 20 years ago (2001-12-19)
Call sign meaning
3 - Victoria
Triple Seven Communications
Technical information
ERPFM: 30 kW
Links
WebcastWeb stream
Websitewww.thelight.com.au

89.9 TheLight (formerly LightFM) is a Christian community radio station in Melbourne, Australia. It broadcasts on the FM band with the frequency of 89.9 and has studios at 333 Mitcham Road, in Mitcham and a transmitter on Mount Dandenong attracting more than a million listeners per month.[2]

History[]

The station's beginnings can be traced to 1977 when Melbourne Christian Radio was founded[3] It conducted test broadcasts in 1980, 1981, and 1982, as 3MGR before purchasing air time on commercial station 3DB.

89.9 TheLight is run by Positive Media Inc, which was formerly called Triple Seven Communications and 89.9 LightFM and Light Melbourne Inc. They conducted a three-month temporary broadcast in late 2001 and was informed in December of that year that they were successful for one of the four community licences available from the Australian Broadcasting Authority, now the Australian Communications and Media Authority.[4] 89.9 TheLight began full-time permanent broadcasting on Sunday 1 December 2002.[3][5]

In January 2017 it was announced that 89.9 TheLight reaches over a million people a month.[2]

Initiatives[]

LightNews[]

89.9 TheLight has its own dedicated news service that provides hourly updates throughout the day, and every half an hour during the breakfast (6am-9am) program. Previously, 89.9 TheLight had broadcast the Macquarie National News program every hour.

Nine News simulcast[]

An exclusive simulcast of Nine News Melbourne at 18:00 with Peter Hitchener, Tony Jones and Livinia Nixon airs at 18:00 every night of the week, except if the Nine Network is covering the cricket or the NRL Grand Final. The newsreader for that night chats with 89.9 TheLight every afternoon, previewing the bulletin at 18:00 hours.

Careline[]

The 89.9 TheLight Careline is a supportive service for people that need prayer, an explanation of Christianity, or simply an understanding ear. Where requested callers can be referred to a local church. The Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund has assisted with the operating costs of the Careline in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Careline is actually a nationwide service, not primarily run by Positive Media: "'Careline Connections' is a not for profit Company...provided as a Community service to listeners of Christian media across Australia."[6]

DAB+ Digital radio[]

89.9 TheLight is simulcast on Digital Radio in Melbourne.

TheLight MIX (formerly LightDigital) is an online and DAB+ digital station broadcasting 100% Christian music, and was launched on 1 December 2011

TheLight Christmas (formerly LightChristmas) broadcasts every year from early December through to early January online and on DAB+ digital radio. In 2014, for the first time, TheLight Christmas appeared as a 'pop up' digital radio station.

Presenters[]

89.9 TheLight on-air team[]

The presenters of 89.9 TheLight these include Lucy Holmes, Kel McWilliam, Cam Want, Jo, Joy, Euan, Gianna, Luke And Susie Holt, Azzan Schuster, Clayton Bjelan, MJ Want and Allan Martin, as well as the Nine News Melbourne team

Shows[]

89.9 TheLight has many full-time and some part-time announcers employed at the radio station. 89.9 TheLight promotes Lucy & Kel primarily, with spots on air throughout the day. In 2021, Lucy and Kel have been featured on a billboard advertising campaign around Melbourne suburbs.

On-air schedule[]

Weekdays:

  • 00:00–05:00 | Positive Radio
  • 05:00–05:30 | Insight for Living
  • 05:30–06:00 | Focus on the Family
  • 06:00–10:00 | Lucy and Kel
  • 10:00–12:00 | Cam & Jo
  • 12:00–15:00 | Joy
  • 15:00–18:00 | Luke & Susie
  • 18:00–19:00 | Nine News Exclusive Simulcast
  • 19:00–22:00 | Euan & Gianna
  • 22:00–23:00 | Music Mix
  • 23:00–23:30 | Focus on the Family
  • 23:30–00:00 | A Different Perspective with Berni Dymet

Saturday:

  • 00:00–05:00 | Positive Radio
  • 05:00–05:30 | Insight for Living
  • 05:30–06:00 | History Makers
  • 06:00–10:00 | Joy and Tyson
  • 10:00–12:00 | Best of Lucy and Kel
  • 12:00–18:00 | Positive Radio
  • 18:00–19:00 | Nine News Exclusive Simulcast
  • 19:00–00:00 | TheLight's Saturday Party Mix

Sunday:

  • 00:00–05:00 | Positive Radio
  • 05:00–05:30 | In Touch
  • 05:30–06:00 | Christianity Works
  • 06:00–10:00 | Experience Church
  • 10:00–12:00 | Music mix
  • 12:00–18:00 | Positive Radio
  • 18:00–19:00 | Nine News Exclusive Simulcast
  • 19:00–21:00 | In Conversation with Clayton
  • 21:00–21:30 | Bigger Questions with Rob Martin
  • 21:30–22:00 | This One Life with Sharon Witt
  • 22:00–22:30 | Connect with Rob Buckingham
  • 22:30–00:00 | The Green Room

TheLight MIX on-air schedule[]

Weekdays:

  • Between all programs TheLight MIX Music Mix plays. News and Weather updates every hour from 6am-6pm
  • 06:00 | A Different Perspective
  • 07:00 | Music Mix
  • 19:00 | Insight for Living
  • 20:00 | Message of the Day
  • 20:30 | Music Mix
  • 21:00 | Focus on the Family
  • 22:00 | Music Mix

Saturday:

  • 00:00 | Music Mix
  • 19:00 | TCM Top 30 Countdown
  • 23:00 | Music Mix

Sunday:

  • 05:00 | Messages of Hope
  • 06:00 | Insight For Living Weekend
  • 07:00 | Christianity Works
  • 08:00 | History Makers
  • 09:00 | Music Mix
  • 12:00 | TCM Update
  • 21:00 | Focus on the Family Australia
  • 23:00 | Music Mix

Music[]

Christian[]

89.9 TheLight plays a wide array of music of both Christian and censored secular music, with references to controversial topics deleted via Light Remixes of secular music. Christian music on the station is generally a mixture of pop, modern rock, and gospel. 89.9 TheLight plays up to 40% Christian music not including Christian songs from mainstream artists such as U2.

Mainstream[]

89.9 TheLight generally play a mix of adult contemporary music. This makes up the other 60% of music they play. This quite often results in the station playing songs from the Billboard 100 Adult Contemporary. They also include music from the Top 40 Australia and United States singles charts. However, they still play a variety of pop and Soft rock songs from the 1990s and early 2000s.

References[]

  1. ^ "MELBOURNE RA1" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Be a Light to a Million! | 89.9 TheLight". 89.9 TheLight.
  3. ^ a b TheLight. "TheLight's History". Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Allocation of four community radio broadcasting licences for Melbourne" (PDF). Australian Broadcasting Authority. p. 188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  5. ^ "Community Radio Broadcasting Licences" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. 19 December 2006. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  6. ^ "Careline Connections: Who we are". Retrieved 24 October 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""