XFM 96.3
 | |
| Broadcast area | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.3 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | International music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Mediacorp Pte Ltd (Mediacorp Radio) |
| History | |
First air date | 12 October 1998[1] |
Last air date | 30 September 2016[2] |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Web Stream |
| Website | toggle.sg/xfm963 |
XFM 96.3 was an Expat radio station of Mediacorp in Singapore. Broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, it was Singapore's only radio station that broadcast a mix of Japanese, French, Korean,[3] Hindi, Bangladeshi and German programmes. A blend of World Music from Brazil, Greece, Italy, Lebanon and Spain would also be played during an automated music marathon daily.
History[edit]
The International Channel[edit]
Plans for the station was announced by then-Minister for Information and the Arts George Yeo in March 1998, with the tentative name Inter FM, providing programmes in French, Japanese and German.[4]
Ahead of the launch of the station, it was announced that FM 96.3 was going to feature locally-made programming in Japanese, as part of the first phase of the service, set to begin on 14 September. The initial target during the first four weeks of operation was going to consist mainly of 25,000 Japanese immigrants residing in Singapore. From 12 October, French and German output was to be added, when the station's regular broadcasts were about to begin.[5]
The station started 24/7 broadcasts on 1 January 2008.[6]
XFM[edit]
Both the Media Development Authority (MDA) and Mediacorp mutually agreed to cease transmission of the station on 30 September 2016. Mediacorp stated "new technologies and evolving radio listenership preferences" were the reasons for their evaluation.[2]
In 2016, the reused frequency (as well as a newly vacated 89.3 frequency) were tendered and won by SPH Radio. In 2018, 96.3 Hao FM was launched and broadcast using the 96.3 frequency.[7]
Programming[edit]
- French and German: from the outset of the service, the station carried live satellite feeds of RFI and Deutsche Welle mostly in their respective languages.
- Japanese: the Japanese programme was the oldest to be made for the station, as well as the first to be outsourced, as opposed to be a direct simulcast of a foreign service. Titled Hello Singapore, it was produced by Comm and featured news and music, in contrast to the current affairs and heavy cultural line-up offered by the European providers. News consisted of a daily relay of an NHK news bulletin and reports from the Asahi Shimbun and Jiji Press.[8]
- Korean: the slot started on 1 February 2008, shortly before the station was renamed. Cool K Time was produced by Briyo Media.[9]
- Musical Interlude: generic name given to automated music slots that aired outside of the individual language programmes.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Launch of FM 96.3 - The International Channel". NAS. 12 October 1998. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ a b Ng, Jing Yng (16 June 2016). "MDA calls for bids for two new radio stations". Today. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ "Some radio milestones through the decades". TODAY. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ "One FM goes for news and gold". The Straits Times. 22 April 1998. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "It's FM 96.3 for Japanese shows". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 23 July 1998. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "Radio all day and all night". Today (retrieved from NLB). 28 December 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ The Hindi (bollywood) Radio Masti 96.3 continues digitally as a 24 hours LIVE radio from their studios as Radio Masti 24x7 available on iOS, Android and their Facebook page. "SPH wins tender for two new radio stations | AsiaRadioToday.com". www.asiaradiotoday.com. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ^ "Japanese Programme Highlights". The International Channel. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "Korean Programme Highlights". The International Channel. 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
External links[edit]