Melbourne Dance Radio Station KISS FM Seeks Help To Stay On The Air

Melbourne-based dance radio station KISS FM is seeking community support in order to stay on the air as it faces a new challenge.

As their GoFundMe fundraising campaign notes, the broadcasting authority requires all low-powered radio stations, such as KISS FM, to possess transmitters related to their licenses, or risk having their licenses pulled.

Currently, the station is facing significant hurdles, including signal issues—KISS FM requires funding for “urgent upgrades” to enhance the signal and cover a wider area. Additionally, six of their transmitters have been stolen, and the station is experiencing a lack of government funding.

The KISS FM team, led by Timmy Byrne and Kate Wignell, stated, “Because we operate on a very limited budget and due to delays beyond our control in getting access to transmitter sites, our efforts to bring the licences affected by those thefts back into compliance with the broadcasting authority’s requirements have been hampered resulting in the broadcasting authority recently turning up the heat.”

With support, the radio station aims to upgrade its equipment to keep KISS FM on the air, providing a clean signal that can reach a wider audience of listeners. Specifically, they need to update their transmitters, antennas, and computers, as well as commission new masts and sites.

“To do this, we need your financial help because we can’t do it alone,” the GoFundMe description continues. “It’s a massive and extensive job, but it will keep us on the FM airwaves, improve our signal and most importantly save KISS FM.”

KISS FM aims to raise $85,000 to make all the necessary upgrades. To find out more about the fundraiser and contribute, head to the radio station’s GoFundMe.

Having operated for 20 years, KISS FM reaches a diverse range of listeners at home, nationally, and abroad.

When listeners tune in to KISS FM on the airwaves, the radio station reaches approximately 99,000 listeners a week – a figure that only represents half of Melbourne, and the team says can “safely double” that number for those listening in the car or elsewhere.

Online, KISS FM also receives 30,000 streams nationwide from 150 countries a day and reaches Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQIA+ listeners, many of whom are over the age of 18. 45% of listeners also speak a language other than English at home, while 51% of listeners tune in to KISS FM for two hours or more daily.

As for its content, 87 local DJs and presenters offer live weekly shows. International stars such as Nicole Moudaber, John Digweed, Nora En Pure, and Chicane have hosted other shows. KISS FM is recognised for airing music from local and international artists every day, free from any influence.