While footy tragics are busy listening to coverage of two grand finals this weekend, ABC Local Radio listeners looking for talk programming will be happy with the alternative being offered on digital radio. ABC Radio has split its signal in digital radio cities to offer a range of programming that sounds more like what is heard during weekdays on local radio.
This Saturday, while the AFL grand final is on, digital programs will include Just Released with Bill Riner and Brandon Stewart, It’s Just Not Cricket with Glynn Greensmith, Weekends with Al Crombie, rural views, a cooking show and wit from Richard Stubbs.
On Sunday, during the ARL Grand Final, digital channel listeners will hear Nerdzilla with Joel Rheinberger and Andrew Hogan, Rare Collections with Jordie and David Kilby, Weekends with Phil Smith and other new shows. See the full weekend digital schedules here.
The new programming is possible because digital radio’s extra capacity has given digital listeners a whole new Grandstand channel, so there is no need to duplicate the analog radio sport coverage on two stations.
Early next month ABC Radio is planning to launch a campaign on analogue about the new alternatives. With the end of the footy season and with the arrival of daylight saving further new offerings will be heard.
One of the upcoming new offerings is “The Space” from 1505-1700 Sundays. Some weeks it will be Richard Fidler Conversations, other weeks it will be totally different, says ABC Local Radio Network Development Manager James O’Brien. “For example, next weekend there will be a 2-hour special from 666 ABC Canberra about their TED event. We’ll also be featuring some new talent. It’s a space for a bit of experimentation.”
The new programs are coming out of all states and territories except NT and SA at this time. There are aso contributions from regional stations in WA and Queensland. Some of the mixed state content includes Rare Collections, which comes out of Canberra, Richard Stubbs Redux and BabyTalk both out of Melbourne, and Nerdzilla out of Hobart.
ABC Radio has been experimenting with new digital weekend talk programs all this year, and has found from talkback calls and listener contacts that there is enough digital radio listeners tuned in to the alternative programming to make it worthwhile.