New podcast space launched at Free FM
Hamilton’s community media station, Free FM launched their newly refurbished production studio last week. The studio has been given a full renovation for video podcasting including paneling and conversational seating, new mics and a purpose built production desk.
Station Manager, Phil Grey has been behind the upgrade, which is part of a strategy to build on Free FM’s podcasting base by implementing digital trends and offering video capacity to current and future podcasters.
As well as serving Free FM’s current content creators, Grey wants to bring in new people. “I’m really hopeful this renovation feels relevant to young people and increases interest in engaging in Free FM. We hope it becomes a place where people from all parts of our community feel welcomed and have a space where their voice is valued.”
The event, held at at the station in Collingwood St, was a get-together of staff, board and content creators who got to tour the studio and participate in some giveaways of Free FM merchandise.
Waikato Community Broadcasting Charitable Trust board members Holly Snape and Martin Gallagher are excited about how much the station has grown and said the station has been a leader in podcasting in the access radio sector.
“Free FM is one of the most innovative access radio stations because the manager here, constantly looks at what is next, Snape said “It’s not just about radio. It is about how people are accessing information.”
Snape said the board recognises that the growth of digital platforms has reduced people’s listening to FM stations, motivating them to invest in a podcast studio.
“The way of the future is video. That is why we integrated it into how we deliver services, to enable people hear the voices of our communities”
Gallagher, who has been involved for the last ten years, said Free FM is a multi-platform broadcaster involving video, visual, sound, and internet.
‘‘We have done exploration at a board level about how to future-proof this organisation – being involved in the community sector, we know the funding environment is tough.”
He said there is a strategic commitment to ensure that they an organisation that will last and “weather all the various storms” and that will continue to provide different voices and services for the communities.
Gallagher added that being an access radio station means ethnic communities are prioritised as they are an important part of the identity of the organisation. However, like Grey, he is keen to bring youth to the station as this is an area we sometimes “struggle to really connect well with”.
The station, which began in the early 90’s on AM radio as ‘Community Radio Hamilton’, has been growing its digital broadcast and podcasting content since the move to Free FM in 2012.
Grey has been eyeing off the space for upgrade for some time, and was inspired by a recent tour to the biggest podcasting studio in the United States where he learned about interesting setups he can implement at Free FM.
Grey said that the station is open to anyone from the community and they are supported with training. “People will need to come us with ideas on how to create content, we’ll then discuss it, and give ideas on how to go about it.”
After a few final touches are completed, the station will start promoting the new facilities to the community. To find out more, check out their website Free FM
Mercy Chepkoech is an International Student. She is studying Diploma-in-journalism.
