Melbourne Jewish Radio

Lion 1674
Broadcast areaMelbourne, Australia
Frequency1674 kHz AM
BrandingLion 1674 (2011–2015)[1]
Programming
Language(s)Hebrew, English
FormatJewish
Ownership
OwnerMelbourne Jewish Radio
Surf City Sound (timeshare, 2011–2015)
History
First air date
14 June 2010 (2010-06-14) (as Lion 96.1)
December 2011 (2011-12) (as Lion 1674)
Last air date
June 2011 (2011-06) (as Lion 96.1)
March 2015 (2015-03) (as Lion 1674)
Former frequencies
96.1 MHz FM (2010–2011)
Technical information
ERP300 watt (2011–2015)

Melbourne Jewish Radio (branded on air as Lion 96.1, later Lion 1674) was a timeshared radio station formerly broadcast on 1674 kHz in the AM narrowband from Werribee South in Melbourne's west. The station aired between 12noon Sundays and 12noon Fridays, with Surf City Sound broadcasting on the same frequency during the Shabbat period. During 2010 and 2011, Lion FM held a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence, and broadcast from the Melbourne CBD.

History

As a TCBL

Melbourne Jewish Radio was established in December 2008, with the goal of achieving a form of dedicated full-time broadcast media for the Jewish community. Previously, the Melbourne Jewish community had little representation in the media, aside from Hebrew language programmes on 3ZZZ and SBS Radio. In June 2010, broadcasting regulator Australian Communications and Media Authority granted Melbourne Jewish Radio, Inc. a 12-month TCBL on 96.1 FM – a frequency formerly used for special events[1] – with reduced power towards Geelong due to potential co-channel interference from 96three FM.[2][3]

In June 2011, the spectrum was revoked, forcing Lion FM to close. In a media release, ACMA stated they "decided not to make additional radiofrequency spectrum in the Melbourne City RA1 licence area available to temporary community broadcasting licensees."[4]

During Senate Estimates on 18 October 2016 Eric Abetz said to ACMA Deputy Chair Richard Bean he was advised "Lion FM stopped using 96.1 for broadcasting" and went on to query Richard Bean about why the frequency had not been made available subsequently.[5][6]

As a Narrowband station

In December 2011, Lion FM began broadcasting on 1674 AM, as a timeshared service with Surf City Sound. Both services closed in March 2015.

References

  1. ^ a b "Lion FM Now". Jewish History Australia. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  2. ^ "ACMA Issue Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence for Melbourne City Area". Australian Communications and Media Authority. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  3. ^ Sable, Dalia (11 March 2010). "Jewish radio set to roar". The Australian Jewish News. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  4. ^ "No new spectrum for temporary community radio in the Melbourne City area". Australian Communications and Media Authority. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  5. ^ Eric Abetz, Member of Environment and Communications Legislation Committee (18 October 2016). "Estimates – Australian Communications and Media Authority". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: Parliament of Australia.
  6. ^ "J-AIR licence battle hits Senate". The Australian Jewish News. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.