Radio Active's DJ console with bananas. Photo: Graeme Tuckett
Radio Active, a Wellington independent radio station which has long been a champion of local music, has announced that it will be able to remain broadcasting, despite the company having gone into liquidation in February.
A charitable trust is to be formed to run Radio Active, made up of Wellington people who have had a lot to do with the station in the past, and who see the value of community radio. Spokesperson for the group forming the trust Ross Steele said they had been extremely heartened by the huge number of people and organisations expressing goodwill and support towards Radio Active.
However, Radio Active still has to deal with its current financial situation, and will run a crowd funding campaign which would allow listeners to contribute to the running of the station. Several Cuba Street businesses have already pledged their support.
Steele says there is "a particular resonance with the geographical closeness of the supporters, and the type of listenership that Active has in common with the businesses."
Formal handover is scheduled for Monday 1 May, with long-time Radio Active manager Dave Gibbons handing over the reins to the new entity in the weeks following.
Steele says “The next step is to get the audience behind the station, and reactivate the sound of Radio Active."
Radio Active is currently in its 40th year of broadcasting. It began at Victoria University in 1977, but has been independently run since the early 1990s.
Alumni include John Campbell, members of The Black Seeds and Phoenix Foundation, and TV3’s Sam Hayes.
Music 101's Alex Behan spoke with Radio Active's Programme Manager Miles Buckingham, who says "We will continue to support new artists and music, and provide eye-opening, ear-opening content"
Photo: supplied
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