96fm Radio 80s TV Ad #1

96fm began broadcasting on 96.1 MHz on August 8, 1980 as Perth's first commercial FM radio station. The first record played at the 4pm launch was Steely Dan's "FM (No Static at all)" with Gordon O'Byrne the first live "jock" to air. Gary Roberts was its first Program Director.

Throughout the 1980s, 96fm provided groundbreaking innovation for Perth radio listeners. In 1981, the highly successful Gold Pass was launched. This provided holders access to obtain discounts at retailers for goods such as CD's, clothing, concert tickets, car audio & security to name but a few. The rationale for launching the Gold Pass was so the station could raise extra revenue (minimum was a $5000 spend) without doing OB's (outside broadcasts).

In 1982, 96fm became the first radio station in Australia to play music from CD. The song was Toto's "Rosanna". From then on the station's old library of vinyl records and carts was replaced with CD's.

Amongst some of the most successful radio promotions in the stations history include 'Rockwords' where listeners could win $10,000 cash for correctly completing a cross-word in the daily West Australian newspaper. The station broadcast the clues on an hourly basis. Another hallmark promotion was the 'Top 96 Albums of alltime' and what was then the annual 'Skyshow'.

By 1985, 96fm had reached #1 in the Perth radio ratings for the first time although 990 6PM on the AM band continued to be a strong number 2 for the remainder of the decade until 6PM converted to FM in 1991 as 92.9 6PMFM, then PMFM and now 92.9.

96fm was the sole commercial FM station in Perth until 1991. 6PM and 6KY successfully bid for the right to convert from the AM band to FM in the early 1990s.

Category:

Music

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• 96fm
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