How To Start Radio Station In South Africa

How To Start Radio Station In South Africa

What is a Radio Station?

Is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio station, while in satellite radio the radio waves are broadcast by a satellite in Earth orbit. To receive the content the listener must have a broadcast radio receiver (radio).

How To Start Radio Station In South Africa

Step 1. What broadcast method will you use?

The first big choice you face when planning your radio station is how you will reach your listeners. There are several potential options depending on budget, ambition and local regulations.

Step 2. How will you create your content?

Once you are happy with how you want to broadcast, the next challenge is know what you are going to broadcast and more importantly how you are going to create that content!

If you want to  broadcast live shows or create content with ‘live’ sounding elements then you will need some type of Radio Studio to allow you to combine and control all the components for your show.

Step 3. How will people listen?

Once your station content is sorted and you are ready to launch, you need to consider how your listeners will be able discover, listen to and engage with your station.

If you are considering a more traditional radio station on AM, FM or DAB then obviously listeners will be able to listen to you on their radios. Broadcasting on AM, FM or DAB require specialist equipment and professional expertise. If you want to investigate how to broadcast on traditional ‘over the air’ frequencies, we will be happy to discuss your project with you.

If you are broadcasting on the web (whether exclusively or in addition to AM / FM / DAB) then there are a number of exciting ways in which you can engage with your listeners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How much does it cost to start a FM radio station in South Africa?

The cost of equipment to set up a fully functioning radio station costs between R450 000 and R1.5million.

How do I register a radio in South Africa?

Complete the application form in print, using capital letters. Submit the original and 16 certified copies of the application form and a non-refundable application fee to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.

How do I register a radio in South Africa?

Complete the application form in print, using capital letters. Submit the original and 16 certified copies of the application form and a non-refundable application fee to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.

How do radio stations make money in South Africa?

The listening audience, similar to a TV audience and social media users, are the product being sold to advertisers. This is how radio stations make money; through advertising. Extra income also comes from sponsored content and events (however, this is also a form of a advertising) as well as charging callers.

Do I need a license for an online radio station in South Africa?

If you include recorded music in an online radio station or online service, you will need a license.

How much money does it cost to start a radio station in South Africa?

Overall, internet radio stations often have the lowest cost, whereas you can launch a low power FM (LPFM) radio station for under R15,000 upfront. Month-to-month, you may be able to swing by with just under R1,000 of expenses. It all depends on the type you choose.

Is a radio station a frequency in South Africa?

Your FM (frequency modulated) radio can tune in to that specific frequency and give you clear reception of that station. All FM radio stations transmit in a band of frequencies between 88 megahertz and 108 megahertz. This band of the radio spectrum is used for no other purpose but FM radio broadcasts.

How does an FM radio work in South Africa?

In FM broadcasting, the frequency of the carrier wave is modulated to encode the sound. A radio receiver extracts the original program sound from the modulated radio signal and reproduces the sound in a loudspeaker. A commercial 35 kW FM radio transmitter built in the late 1980s.

Is radio important to our lives in South Africa?

Over the past decades, radio has also proven to be an effective development communication channel. There has been significant increase in the coverage of non-sensational topics such as health and nutrition, environment, science and technology, education, women and children’s rights, among others.

Why do we need a radio in South Africa?

Radio broadcasts provide real-time information, and some that broadcast 24 hours a day, can provide the most recent updates to listeners. Radio has the ability to reach across borders and can become a valuable source of information where reliable news is scarce.

What music can radio stations play in South Africa?

As a noncommercial broadcast radio station (that might also stream over the Internet), you cannot simply play any music you want legally; you need permission. Fortunately, you don’t have to go around cutting checks to every band whose music you use. Rather, you can pay to license music in bulk.