Local community radio stations are enjoying a surge in listenership – and Radio Grahamstown is leading the pack.
Local community radio stations are enjoying a surge in listenership – and Radio Grahamstown is leading the pack.
From 14 000 listeners in April, local community radio station Radio Grahamstown – affectionately known as Radio G – is now being listened to by 50 000 people, according to the latest research from the South African Advertising Research Foundation, an organisation that monitors radio listenership and television viewership in South Africa.
View the Radio G schedule on Grahamstown NOW
View the Radio G webcam on Grahamstown NOW
View the Rhodes Music Radio schedule on Grahamstown NOW
Earlier this year, Radio G dropped from last year August's 42 000 listeners down to a disappointing 30 000 by the end of May, but grew in August to an amazing 50 000. This made Radio G the most listened-to community radio station in Grahamstown.
Others are Rhodes University's Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) and Port Alfred-based Kowie FM. While these two stations still have fewer listeners than Radio G, they too are also enjoying a listenership increase. After dropping from 19 000 last year to 12 000 in May, RMR's listenership increased by 8 000 to 20 000 by August. Kowie FM moved up from 30 000 in May to 34 000.
Radio Grahamstown station manager Phumlani Wayi attributed the his station's improvement to the dedication of the presenters and the inclusion of news and current affairs in the station's line-up. "Some people still rely on radio for information and our news shows have kept our listeners informed," said Wayi.
He also added that the news informed the people of Grahamstown about what is happening in their community. Wayi also thanked other organisations that had helped Radio G. "I would like to thank our sponsors, especially the Knight Foundation, which helps us with things like rent and telephone bills to keep the station operating properly," he said.
Wayi said he hoped other organisations would help Radio G keep serving the community of Grahamstown.
