Radio Dunedin

The Otago Radio Association first went to air on 4 October 1922, and celebrates 100 years of broadcasting in 2022. The station has had a number of call signs over the years including DN, 4AB, 4ZB (not to be confused with the government-owned station of the same name), Pioneer Radio, and for from 1948 until the 1980s as 4XD. Between 1922 and 1990, 4XD was operated by the Otago Radio Association as a non-commercial and voluntarily-run radio station. In 1990, Radio Dunedin was set up as a commercial station, and a few years later was purchased by Radio Otago Limited which also operated 4XO.

Radio Dunedin has broadcast to the greater Dunedin area (receivable in coastal Otago from Oamaru to Balclutha) on 1431 AM and 1305 AM, the latter of which it still uses.

In 1997, the station began simulcasting on 90.2 in FM Stereo, but this was for only a brief period before 90.2 FM became Lite FM and later Solid Gold. Over a decade passed before Radio Dunedin broadcast again in FM Stereo. Test signals began in mid-April 2008, with the official launch of 99.8 FM on Tuesday 6 May 2008.

After 7 years, MediaWorks decided to use 99.8 FM for its new nationwide network station Magic. As a result, on Monday 20 April 2015, Radio Dunedin moved to a low-power FM frequency of 107.7, which later changed to 106.7, with a range limited to the central city area.

On Monday 14 March 2016, Radio Dunedin commenced broadcasting to Mosgiel and surrounding areas in FM stereo on 95.4 – this frequency was previously a relay of 97.4 More FM, and originally Mosgiel FM and 4XO in the 1990s. 95.4 FM was originally broadcast from Chain Hill (above Wingatui) but now broadcasts from Saddle Hill.

Radio Dunedin introduced live streaming on the internet in mid-2007. It is also available on the Rova mobile app.

Slogans over the years have included "one of a kind", "easy listening", "easy listening hits", "hits and memories", and (since June 2011) "Good Talk, Good Music".

Radio Dunedin broadcasts locally from ASB House (known as "Radio Otago House" from 1996 to 2014) in the central city. Previous premises have been in Maclaggan Street and in the city's southern suburb of St Kilda. From October 2021, The Breeze “Dunedin’s breakfast” show, with Damian & Hannah, is simulcast on Radio Dunedin. This come about when Owen Rooney departed after 16 years of hosting the popular breakfast show.

Noted presenters and on-air announcers have included "Toots" Mitchell, Colin Lehmann, Neil Collins and Owen Rooney.

Local Programming:

• Dunedin's Breakfast with Damian Newell and Hannah Wilkins from 6am weekdays.
• Radio Dunedin afternoons with Barbara Hamilton from 12pm weekdays.
• The Otago Radio Association from 6pm weeknights plus all weekends and public holidays. There are various shows hosted by volunteer announcers, all live & local.

In 2017, a feature-length documentary film of the same name was produced. Radio Dunedin, the film was directed by Grant Findlay, and followed the history of the station which has faced many challenges over its years including arson attempts, Government takeovers, lack of funds and numerous technical issues.[2]

There is another Radio Dunedin, a one-hour show heard on WTAN-AM 1340 in Dunedin, FL (USA). This show and station are not affiliated with the New Zealand station.[3]

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45.8856°S 170.595°E / -45.8856; 170.595