Hope 103.2

Hope 103.2 is an easy listening station in Sydney, Australia, transmitting on the FM dial at 103.2 MHz. Founded as 2CBA by the Rev. Vernon Turner, it commenced broadcasting on 5 March 1979 as one of the first community radio stations and cemented itself as Australia's first Christian FM radio station.[2] Its mission is "Communicating Hope to transform life, faith and culture".

Hope 103.2
Broadcast areaSydney
Programming
FormatEasy listening
Ownership
OwnerHope Media Ltd, formerly Christian Broadcasting Association
Inspire Digital
History
Call sign meaning
2 = New South Wales Christian Broadcasting Association
Technical information
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT204 m[1]
Links
Websitehttp://hope1032.com.au

The station provides a mixed format of Christian, easy listening and hot adult contemporary music. Station programming also features competitions, listener interaction, as well as short and extended Christian devotionals.

Sister station Inspire Digital was the first Australian community radio station launched on DAB+ in 2010.

The radio station relocated from Five Dock to its current studios in Seven Hills (the former home of WSFM) and was renamed FM103.2 in 2002, with the tag-line "The Heart of Sydney". The station was renamed Heart 103.2 in December 2007, but this was challenged legally by Macquarie Regional Radioworks who held a generic right to the name "Heart". It was decided to use "Sydney's 1032" as the interim on-air identifier for 2008.[3]

On Monday, 15 December 2008 at midnight the station was renamed "Hope 103.2". Listeners offered their suggestions for a new name for the station, and "Hope" was judged the best and most popular.[3]

History

Hope FM began broadcasting initially as 2CBA FM 103.2, "all beautiful music", in 1979, whose format was continuous easy listening music, mixed with Christian news and messages. During this period, much of the music played included James Last, Eric Jupp, Richard Clayderman, Klaus Wunderlich, and other similar sounding artists. Many of these tracks were instrumental versions of more popular hits of the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s. The station ceased this style of programming during late 1999 in favour of the current format.

Programming

The format of Hope 103.2 is described as "Contemporary Christian Radio", which is Christian-infused mainstream light contemporary radio. The program format is designed to reach out to the wider community as well as the Christian community. This is achieved with "family friendly" and accessible music with a positive or relational message, whether performed by Christian or non-Christian artists and regardless of whether or not the music is intentionally carrying a Christian message. Hope 103.2 also broadcasts FRESH with David Esquen on Saturday nights, alongside overnight music. This is in contrast to other christian radio stations in Australia, where only contemporary Christian artists are played.

Christian artists on rotation include such as Francesca Battistelli, Casting Crowns, Third Day, tobyMac, MercyMe, Revive & Charmaine (musician).

Devotionals

Every hour a short radio devotional, described on their website as a Ministry Segment, is played on air.[4] During the day, short 60 second programs from Focus on the Family, Berni Dymet, Heidi Wysman and City Bible Forum are played. Before and after the breakfast show on weekdays, longer 5 minute devotionals are presented including Time with God with John North and Morning Devotions with Chris Witts. On Sunday mornings, a sermon from Anglican Minister Simon Manchester is played.[5]

News Programming

Hope Media launched their news service in late 2020, with their news coverage focused on the Sydney metro area.[6]

Prior to their news service launch, radio bulletins were presented by Nine Radio, which rebranded from Macquarie Radio Network in early 2020. Between July 2008 and December 2020, Hope 103.2 also broadcast live simulcasts of Nine News (via Channel Nine Sydney), airing every night except Saturdays, at 6:00 pm.[7] Nine News & 9news.com.au were also sponsors of Hope 1032 News.

Podcasts

Other programing from Hope has been moved to online Podcasts.[8] Their Podcast shows have included a Book club, interviews, advice on raising families, and stories on hope. Their more in-depth devotions have also moved to podcasts.

Former programs have also been moved to podcasts. Open House was on-air from 7 to 10 Sunday evenings, and was a live talk show exploring life, faith and culture from a Christian perspective. From April 2006 to March 2011, the show was hosted by Sheridan Voysey.[9] Between April 2011 until December 2013, Open House was hosted by TV and radio broadcaster Leigh Hatcher. The 2014 host of Open House was Dwyane Jeffries and their last host was Stephen O'Doherty.

Digital Radio

Hope 103.2 also broadcasts digitally online and via Sydney DAB+ Radio. The station also broadcasts three other digital Radio stations, all of which have no live presenters:

  • Inspire Digital - began in November 2010 on both Sydney DAB+ Radio and online, provides Christian music and teaching.
  • FRESH Radio - Online only, the station airs only christian music for a youth audience.
  • Christmas Hope - Online only, the station runs Christmas and Advent music across the year.

Management

Phillip Randall, previously CEO of Sonshine FM, Perth, is the CEO of Hope Media Ltd. Dwayne Jeffries is General Manager. Ramona Ishac is Group Sales Manager. Justin Kendall is Community Relations Manager. Lynelle Micati is Finance Manager. Stephen Wilkinson is Technical Operations Manager.


See also

References
  1. HAAT estimated from http://www.itu.int/SRTM3/ using EHAAT.
  2. "About community broadcast licences". Australian Communications and Media Authority. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. "Hope 103.2's story". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  4. "Ministry Segment Finder - Listen to segments heard on Hope 103.2". Hope 103.2. Retrieved 8 March 2022. Example day
  5. "Christian Growth — with Simon Manchester". Hope 103.2. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  6. "Hope Media launches a new independent news service". RadioInfo Australia. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  7. "The Day Channel 9's Peter Overton Dropped In". Hope 103.2. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  8. "Hope Podcasts". Hope 103.2. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  9. "About The Open House Show". Retrieved 11 October 2011.
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