[cite web | work= | title=New community radio licence for Brisbane|url=http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_91223| accessdate=19 February | accessyear=2008] ]Switch 1197 began test transmissions in late 2002 and began full time broadcasting at 8am on April 7th 2003, identifying as i1197. From this period of time until January 2005, the station broadcast a wide range of music genres and programming, with a focus on Top 40 music.
From January 2005, the station was re-branded to the programming format based upon its predecessor Switch FM, focusing on playing more commercial dance and upbeat music, and it has remained to this day.
Online streaming
In 2004, Switch 1197 was the first radio station in Australia to stream with Orban Opticodec aacPlus technology - this allows better than FM quality at only 32 kbit/s. You can listen to the aacPlus stream if you have Winamp [http://switch.fm/aacplus.m3u here] , or alternatively you can download the free Orban Opticodec plugin for Windows Media Player [http://www.orban.com/plugin here] and click [http://www.tuner2.com/tuner/listen.asx?id=24 here] to play. A CD quality 128 kbit/s MP3 stream is also available [http://switch.fm/live.m3u here] .
In 2006, Switch 1197 added a PIPE Networks relay of the 128 kbit/s and aacPlus streams that certain ISPS provide as unmetered traffic, allowing extended listening without impacting download allowances. This stream is currently unavailable while PIPE reconfigure their streaming network.
In 2007, Switch 1197 was added to the [http://radio.internode.on.net Internode Broadband Radio Streams] that are provided by Australian ISP, [http://www.internode.on.net Internode] , as unmetered traffic to their customers. The stream can be accessed by Internode customers via this [http://radio.internode.on.net:8146/listen.pls link] .
Programming
The stations general daytime programing contains a music mix of commercial Dance and Pop music, with a small mix of classics. During this time, various announcers present entertaining and informative pieces. Various information segments are also aired, most with a specific focus (eg. Local Events, Community Services and News among others).
The stations night-time programming airs more specialist musical programming of various styles.
A few of the local specialist music based programming the station broadcasts includes:
* The Oz Block - A program featuring music by local Brisbane based and Australian artists and DJs only.
* The Underground - A program broadcasting a variety of styles and local DJ mixes.
* The Yellow Brick Road - A program broadcasting a different style of music each week.
Switch 1197 also broadcasts specialist programs produced from other sources within Australia, including:
* Clubbers Drive - A club and remix music program from Fresh FM, Adelaide.
* SoulGood - A house music program produced by Bill Fragos.
* Wild Revolution - A club and remix music program aired on various stations throughout Australia.
Switch 1197 also airs music programs produced internationally, including:
* The Solaris International Show - A weekly DJ mix program produced by Agnelli and Nelson and Solarstone
* MC Mario's Mixdown - A countdown of the top ten dance songs from North America.
The station also has a number of specialty information and entertainment based programming. Locally, this includes:
* The 'Sports Shorts' program - A weekly wrap up of Sports locally, nationally and globally.
* The 'Rocket Show' - A weekly program with a comedic, informative and witty touch.
* The 'Big C' - A Tuesday night talkback program with a comedic and controveral edge that includes the infamous top 5- hosted by Luke McGarry, Ryan Jenkninson and Troy 'The Bear' Gilmore.
Tech Talk Radio - A weekly independent technology focused magazine style program, that has a more consumer spin on the technology news and issues. This program is aired nationally.
Also, a number of magazine programs from international sources, including:
* Deutsche Welle's "Cool" - A weekly youth program, with a variety of topics.
* This Way Out - One of the worlds longest running Gay and Lesbian news and magazine programs; broadcast on more than 150 sources worldwide.
References
ee also
* List of Australian radio stations
External links
* [http://www.switch1197.com Switch 1197's Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/switch1197 Switch 1197 on Myspace]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Switch-1197/8495653873 Switch 1197 on Facebook]
