George FM launches new radio station
by Andre Hueber
Ponsonby-based radio station George FM has added another station to its network, George Jazz.
The station is programmed by George FM’s jazz show host Mark Robinson and streams 24 hours a day. It will play a mixture of hosted shows and live performances.
“It’s knowing that our specialist shows, like the kiwi jazz show, can be heard by someone in London, Mumbai or New York, 24/7. It’s a great opportunity to get local NZ jazz exposed alongside new jazz artists from around the world,” says Robinson.
Jeff Kay, station manager at George says concerns in America about the future of Internet radio don’t apply here. A ruling by the US Copyright Royalty Board that came into force on the 15th July at least tripled the royalties that US internet radio companies pay. Instead of paying a flat fee, they are now expected to pay performance rights per song, pushing smaller players out of the market.
“In NZ, there is no regulatory oversight of internet broadcasts, and the bodies looking after performance rights - APRA, RIANZ and AMCOS will license streaming broadcasters upon payment of a flat fee of $100 + GST per year,” says Kay.
George FM is following an international trend for stations to add complimentary broadcasts on the internet. For example FG DJ radio in France has its main dance radio station, as well as an ‘underground’, ‘chic’, and ‘vintage’ station online.
How will the rest of the world know about it?
“I communicate with radio stations overseas via a Jazz programmer’s forum. George Jazz will begin to appear on search engine sites and internet radio listing sites,” says Kay.
“We’ve already had great feedback from retail and shop owners who say this is the perfect thing to play day in day out in store, while there’s nothing like a bit of jazz bubbling away in the background at home,” he adds.
Kay also promises more to come: “Listen out for a fourth station to be added in the coming weeks.”
Visit www.georgefm.co.nz, click on the ‘Stream’ button and choose your station: Either George FM, George Jazz, or Base FM.