Metro FM is a national
radio station in
South Africa owned by the
South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the
DStv
Digital Satellite Television, commonly abbreviated to DStv, is a Sub-Saharan African direct broadcast satellite service owned by MultiChoice and based in Randburg, South Africa. Launched on 6 October 1995, the service provides multiple audio, ...
Bouquet Channel 801.
Metro FM Facebook Page (Info)
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Telephone :
History
The station started broadcasting in October, 1986 as Radio Metro to compete with the now defunct Radio Bop. Playing a mix of urban contemporary and bubblegum pop
Bubblegum (also called bubblegum pop) is pop music in a catchy and upbeat style that is considered disposable, contrived, or marketed for children and adolescents. The term also refers to a rock and pop subgenre, originating in the United States i ...
Radio Bop was able to reach black audiences in parts of the Transvaal by broadcasting on the AM band from the "independent" bantustan of Bophuthatswana where it was licensed. This prompted the SABC's then white management to launch Radio Metro which was put on air in about six months, from the planning stages.
The station launched the careers of a number of radio celebrities including, Bob Mabena, Shado Twala
Nomshado Twala (born September 10, 1958) professionally known by her stage name Shado Twala is a South African radio DJ, journalist, entrepreneur and radio and television producer best known as a judge on SA's Got Talent.
Biography
Twala was one ...
and Lawrence Dube.
Over the years the station has had a number of competitors, including in the very competitive Johannesburg radio market where two stations, Kaya FM and YFM, launched in mid/late 1990s have taken away some audience from Metro FM.
Metro sponsors the Metro FM Music Awards, the 2016 edition being the 15th. Known as Mabhena FM.
Broadcast time
*24/7
Listenership figures
References
External links
Metro FM Website
Radio stations in South Africa
Radio stations established in 1986
1986 establishments in South Africa
Radio stations in Johannesburg
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