5MU
{{refimprove|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = 5MU
| logo = 5MU_current_logo_Sept_2021.png
| city = Murray Bridge, South Australia
| country = AU
| area = Murray Bridge RA1
| frequency = {{Frequency|96.3|MHz}}
| branding = Better Music & More of It - 5MU
| languages = English
| format = Adult hits
| network = Pure Gold Network
| owner = Australian Radio Network
| licensee = Radio Murray Bridge Pty Ltd
| sister_stations = Power FM SA
| airdate = {{Start date|1934|09|16|df=yes}}
| former_frequencies = {{ubl|1450 kHz (1934–1978)|1458 kHz (1978–1988)|1125 kHz (1988–2021)}}
| licensing_authority = ACMA
| erp = 20 kW
| acma_bsl = 4194
| coordinates = {{coord|139|12|51|E|35|9|7|S}}
| repeater = {{ubl|{{Frequency|97.1|MHz}} Victor Harbor (1 kW ERP)|{{Frequency|94.3|MHz}} Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills (1 kW ERP)}}
| website = {{URL|5mu.com.au}}
}}
5MU is an adult hits-formatted commercial radio station based in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, the station has repeaters at Victor Harbor on 97.1 MHz and in the Adelaide Hills on 94.3 MHz.
History
5MU began after master engineer and World War I signaller Frank Miller was granted a broadcast license and began operation on 16 September 1934{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-mount-barker-courier-and-onkaparinga/155243958/|date=September 21, 1934|page=1|title=Murray Bridge Broadcasting Company|newspaper=The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser|location=Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 14, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=ACMA Register of Radiocommunications Licences (RRL) |url=https://web.acma.gov.au/rrl/licence_search.licence_lookup?pLICENCE_NO=10010137/1&pSORT_BY=licence_no&pSORT_DIR=asc |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=web.acma.gov.au}} as South Australia's second-ever radio station, with a wooden mast and antenna system.{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Sarah |date=2024-09-15 |title=90 fabulous years of radio: Happy Birthday 5MU |url=https://radiotoday.com.au/90-fabulous-years-of-radio-happy-birthday-5mu/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Radio Today |language=en-AU}} It initially operated on evenings seven days a week and during the day on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-mount-barker-courier-and-onkaparinga/155243881/|date=September 7, 1934|page=4|title=Murray Bridge Broadcasting Station|newspaper=The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser|location=Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 14, 2024}} A controlling interest was acquired by Advertiser Newspapers Ltd, publishers of The Advertiser and owners of 5AD in Adelaide, in early 1935; 5MU aired some of 5AD's programs.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-advertiser-the-advertiser-radio-st/155244111/|date=February 4, 1935|page=16|title='The Advertiser' Radio Stations|newspaper=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide, South Australia, Australia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 14, 2024}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-advertiser-advertiser-newspapers-lim/155244003/|date=February 26, 1936|page=16|title=Advertiser Newspapers Limited: Chairman Reports Satisfactory Position|newspaper=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide, South Australia, Australia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 14, 2024}}
The station is known to be South Australia's longest serving callsign, being continuously known as 5MU right through their various frequency changes and as of September 2024 they run on FM.{{cn|date=September 2024}}
In the 1970s, to comply with the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975 in which Australia adopted in 1978, 5MU changed frequencies from 1450 kHz to 1458kHz.{{Cite web |title=Treaties |url=https://www.info.dfat.gov.au/Info/Treaties/treaties.nsf/3328431b218f8d59ca256ae1000029b8/54027da12d45ed71ca256b81007811da?OpenDocument |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.info.dfat.gov.au}} In about 1988, 5MU switched over to the 1125 kHz frequency from their original 1458 kHz frequency due to the introduction of C-QUAM AM Stereo.{{Cite web |title=Cape Dx - Gary Deacon |url=https://deacon131.rssing.com/chan-15076123/all_p1.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=deacon131.rssing.com}}
The station was purchased from South East Telecasters in 1998 by Australian Regional Broadcasters, that company's first purchase outside its Western Australia base.{{cite news|work=The Advertiser|title=Change in the air at radio 5MU|first=Kate|last=Nash|date=19 February 1998|page=42}} The company had already planned to introduce an FM station to the area; Power FM launched in 2000, by which time the station was owned by Grant Broadcasters.{{cite news|page=24|title=Power FM to make debut|work=The Advertiser|date=25 March 2000}}
In 2021, after consultation from the region, 5MU officially converted to the FM band and started broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, with repeaters on the South Coast (north of Port Elliot) on 97.1 MHz and in the Adelaide Hills on 94.3 MHz in the same vein as sister station Power FM SA. The 1125 kHz frequency was switched off after a grace period to let people know to switch over in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Strathearn |first=Peri |title=Radio station 5MU will switch from AM to FM |url=https://www.murraybridge.news/p/radio-station-5mu-will-switch-from |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.murraybridge.news |language=en}}
In November 2021, 5MU, along with other stations owned by Grant Broadcasters, were acquired by the Australian Radio Network. This deal allows Grant's stations, including 5MU, to access ARN's iHeartRadio platform in regional areas. The deal was finalized on 4 January 2022.{{Cite web |title=HT&E Completes Acquisition of Grant Broadcasters – ARN |url=https://arn.com.au/arn-news/hte-completes-acquisition-of-grant-broadcasters-2/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}}
Main programs
- Breakfast with Adam and Jennie{{Cite web |title=Adam and Jennie |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/adam-and-jennie/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- More Music Mornings with Jennie Lenman{{Cite web |title=More Music Mornings |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/mornings-with-jennie/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- Around SA with Chris Guscott{{Cite web |title=Around SA |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/around-sa/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- Saturday Sports Show{{Cite web |title=Saturday Sports Show |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/saturday-sports-show/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- Jam Nation with Brendan "Jonesy" Jones and Amanda Keller{{Cite web |title=Jonesy & Amanda |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/jonesy-amanda/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- The Christian O'Connell Show{{Cite web |title=The Christian O'Connell Show |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/the-christian-oconnell-show/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
- 20/20 Retro Countdown{{Cite web |title=20 20 Retro Countdown |url=https://www.5mu.com.au/show/20-20-retro-countdown/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=5MU |language=en-US}}
Former talent
- Anne "Willsy" Wills{{Cite news|page=12|first=Matt|last=Gilbertson|title=Fitting reward for a legend|work=The Advertiser|date=June 11, 2018}}
- Mark "Dolly" Parton{{Cite news |date=1995-07-26 |title=THEATRE |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/280013297 |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=Hills Messenger}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Adelaide radio}}
{{Australian Radio Network}}
Category:1934 establishments in Australia
Category:Radio stations established in 1934
Category:Murray Bridge, South Australia