 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Adelaide Western Suburbs |
| Frequency | 100.5MHzFM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Way Out West Broadcasters Incorporated |
| History | |
First air date | 1994 |
Call sign meaning | Way Out West Broadcasters |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | ACMA |
| ERP | 400watts |
| Links | |
Public licence information | Profile |
| Website | wowfm |
WOWfm 100.5 (ACMA call sign5WOW[1]) is a community radio station based inSemaphore, South Australia, named in reference to its location inAdelaide's western suburbs.
WOWfm is owned and operated by Way Out West Broadcasters Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation registered with theAustralian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)[2] incorporated in 1984. All presenters and Board members are volunteers.
The studios of WOWfm are located onKaurna country.
From 1994 through 2000, WOWfm held a number of short-term licences under theAustralian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL) scheme, broadcasting on 100.7 MHz.[3]
As a result of these successful transmissions, WOWfm commenced part time broadcasting in August 2000, originally broadcasting for 12 hours a day on 100.7 MHz[3] from 4am to 4pm daily. This frequency was shared with Dance 100 FM,[4] a contemporary dance music station broadcasting from 4pm to 4am daily.
On 11 August 2001, WOWfm commenced 24 hour broadcasting on 100.5 MHz.[3]
In October 2005, WOWfm's studios were the subject of an arson attack, causing $50,000 worth of damage[5] and taking the station off-air for at least two weeks.[6] This occurred after several weeks of threats being received by the station and its volunteers.[7]
In 2010, WOWfm held a fundraising concert at the Semaphore Palais to raise funds for the purchase of a new mast to broadcast "louder and wider across Adelaide".[8]
WOWfm has approximately 30 volunteer presenters, with programs[9] spanning a range of musical genres including:
WOWfm also has a number of community-based talk programs, including a Spanish language program.
WOWfm has won multiple South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA) Bilby Awards,[10] including Small Station of the Year in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020.[11]
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)[12]
South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA)[13]