The Edge 96.ONE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Edge 96.ONE
Edge 96 One logo.png
CityWentworth Falls, New South Wales, Australia
Broadcast areaKatoomba RA1[1]
Frequency96.1 MHz FM
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatRhythmic CHR
Urban contemporary
Ownership
OwnerAustralian Radio Network
(Blue Mountains Broadcasters Pty Ltd)
101.7 WSFM
KIIS 106.5
History
First air date
7 September 1935 (1935-09-07)
Former call signs
2KA (1935–1990)
Former frequencies
783 / 1476 kHz AM (1978–1990)
780 kHz AM (1937–1978)
1480 kHz AM (1978)
1160 kHz AM (1935–1937)
Call sign meaning
2 - New South Wales
ONE FM
Technical information
ERP5 kW
Transmitter coordinates
33°43′23″S 150°23′6″E / 33.72306°S 150.38500°E / -33.72306; 150.38500
Links
Websitewww.961.com.au

The Edge 96.ONE (call sign: 2ONE) is a music radio station based in outer Sydney, Australia, but licensed to Katoomba. It is operated by the Australian Radio Network.[2]

History[]

2KA[]

The Edge 96.ONE was formerly known as 2KA became Australian radio station, licensed to Katoomba, New South Wales, and serving the Blue Mountains area of western Sydney. It was launched on 7 September 1935.[3][4]

In December 1937 the station moved from 1160 kHz to 780 kHz.[5] A repeater station on 1480 kHz was added in 1978. From November 1978, the station transmitted on 783 kHz on the AM band, with a translator station on 1476 kHz at Emu Plains.

Before the station launched its Emu Plains based translator in the late 1970s, it was exclusively a Blue Mountains based licence. The new frequency, 1476 kHz, enabled programmers to extend the audience reach to Penrith, and draw revenue from businesses in the area. To combat the potential damage to their Sydney audiences at the time, a number of Sydney radio stations bought the licence and experimented with various automated technologies, none of which were seriously designed to draw mass audiences.

Australian television personality Mike Walsh bought the license in 1983, and worked to advance his vision of developing a successful business model and innovative entertainment product.

The station, which had been broadcasting from a studio in Borec House, at the corner of Station Street and Henry Street in Penrith, developed a new studio at the intersection of Henry and Lawson Streets. It adjoined a cinema complex, which was also owned by Walsh.

The Edge 96.ONE[]

On 26 October 1990 at 13:00 hrs., it converted to the FM band and became One FM, and later 96.1FM. The station had paid just $46,000 dollars to convert to the FM band, which was considered a bargain, noting it covered a considerable area of Sydney, and the record amounts of money being paid by other AM stations to convert to FM. In order to be granted the licence the owners, 'Hayden Nepean Broadcasting', had to agree to comply with regulations regarding local content and the stations overall focus on the local community. The station played Top 40 mainstream CHR (1990–1997, 1999–2005) and Alternative Rock (1998) before its current "Hip hop and R&B" phase (2006-).

In 1997 the station was sold by Mike Walsh to Australian Radio Network, which currently owns three Sydney radio stations: The Edge 96.One, KIIS 106.5 and WSFM 101.7.

Following ARN's purchase, the One FM studio in Penrith was co-located to Seven Hills with WSFM 101.7. In 2002 The Edge 96.One was moved to its present home, now North Ryde, as did WSFM 101.7.[6]

Although licensed to Katoomba/Blue Mountains/Penrith, its signal, at 5 kW located at Wentworth Falls, is enough to cover most of the Sydney basin subject to local interference. It can also be heard in some parts of Canberra, Wollongong, Newcastle and Bathurst. The Edge 96.One was taken to court in the 1990s for excessive coverage overspill by 2Day FM and 2MMM. They lost, and The Edge was able to continue broadcasting.

AC Nielsen choose not to include its figures in the Sydney Nielsen polls, with its figures forming part of the 'Other' stations in the survey. Because the station is not licensed to serve the Sydney market, ARN can own it as well as the Sydney licensed WSFM 101.7 and KIIS 106.5.[7]

In January 2006, ARN decided to launch the first pure urban format radio station in the country, on The Edge. The format change was due to the overwhelming response to the nightly urban count down, "Ksera & The Dirty Dozen", with Ksera and Kris Fade that culminated in being awarded Best Radio Show Australia and New Zealand at the 2006 Urban Music Awards.[8] To coincide with the new look, The Edge unveiled a new brand and logo to emphasize its place as the Hip Hop and RnB radio station.

While The Edge has evolved into a more contemporary hits format with an urban influence, ARN have chosen to capitalize on the established ‘Ksera’ brand, and continue to service the confirmed urban audience in Australia on a national level by launching KseraRadio.com, streaming on-line now.

In 2009, The Edge 96.One launched a sister station of the same format on DAB+ in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney under the name of ''Edge Digital''. The station is a music format based on The Edge 96.One, though not a direct simulcast of that station, but shares resources, including logo and promotions. Edge Digital is not available on Metro FM radio.

EDGE Digital

In April 2011, The Edge Breakfast welcomed back former announcers Mike E and Emma Chow [9]

In August 2013, The Edge rebranded and presented their new music position. While the previous tagline of "Live Sexy" described the lifestyle associated with The Edge, the new philosophy of "Hits That Move You" was believed to direct listeners to what they will hear on the station.

"The Edge is unique in Australian radio as it is the only commercial station running an Urban format. 'Hits that move you' expresses our musical edge and better allows urban music fans to find us."

The changes comes after an online poll where listeners were asked to choose a format. They wanted a hybrid of urban, pop, dance and R'n'B.[10] This tag line would be short lived and broaden to not just 'hits' but all forms of urban 'beats'.

The Edge is also host of the famous Club Edge show playing Saturday evenings with resident DJs such as Nino Brown at night.[11]

In March 2014, The Edge revealed an innovative new listener-driven chart from iHeartRadio.[12]

In December 2021, ARN announced that Mike E and Emma from ‘The Edge’s Mike E & Emma’ had decided to leave The Edge 96.1, having wrapped their final breakfast show on 3 December 2021. The duo had entertained audiences in Western Sydney and beyond since 2011.[13]

Studios[]

  • Penrith: Borec House Cnr Station & Henry St (1978–1987)
  • Penrith: Cnr Henry & Lawson St (1987–1997)
  • Seven Hills Leabons Lane (1997–2002)
  • North Ryde: Byfield Street (2002 – present)

References[]

  1. ^ "KATOOMBA RA1" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  2. ^ Network, Australian Radio. "ARN | The Edge". Australian Radio Network. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  3. ^ "HERE AND THERE". The Katoomba Daily. NSW: National Library of Australia. 7 September 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  4. ^ "NEW BROADCASTING STATION". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 9 September 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  5. ^ "New Wave-Length". The Sydney Morning Herald. December 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Australian Radio Network - Forums". Media Spy. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  7. ^ "Hip hop flourishes on Sydney radio - TV & Radio - Entertainment - smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  8. ^ "KseraRadio.com". KseraRadio.com. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  10. ^ "The Edge unveil new music position". 21 August 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Club Edge". www.961.com.au. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  12. ^ "iHeartRadio Launches Thumbs Up Chart On The Edge". Australia's Music News Authority. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Mike e and Emma leave the Edge". 5 December 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""