Radio & Audio News South Africa

Radio stations extend traditional reach

Radio stations, conscious of opportunities in other media, are extending their listener reach through the Internet and TV. This week on Wednesday, 14 July 2010, MPowerFM will launch its new interactive website and Kaya FM will see its mid-morning show, The Best T in the city, hosted by Thabo 'T- Bose', launch as the TV show My Top 10@10: My Life In Music on the Mzansi Magic channel.

Website offers social media space

MPowerFM's new website, designed and developed by Media Galaxy, a Pretoria based company, which recently opened a branch in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, offers an interactive and user-friendly site with access to local and international news and sport as well as events happening in, and around, Mpumalanga.

"The site will feature live news feeds from Heat Magazine on entertainment and international music stars. It keeps up with the here and now, incorporating Web 2.0 applications. Users will also be able to integrate their Facebook, Twitter and MySpace accounts with the website via the social media toolbar, join the fan page and share content with their friends. They will also be able to log into the website with their Facebook details and enter competitions, read up on their favourite presenters, view photos from the latest events and more," said Joggie Botha, technical director of Media Galaxy.

Another brand-new feature on the website will be the option to interact with the DJ live in the studio via Twitter or by joining discussions on the Facebook fan page.

"Online advertising in South Africa grew at the fastest rate of all countries in the English-language world in 2008 - and is likely to repeat this performance in 2009, according to the Online Media in South Africa 2009 study conducted by World Wide Worx in collaboration with the Online Publishers Association (OPA). This robust growth is indicative of growing confidence in the online medium according to marketingweb.co.za. The decision to launch a new website was therefore the logical next step in the growth of the station," adds Louisa van Wyk, marketing manager of MPowerFM.

Log on to www.mpowerfm.co.za for more.

Radio show starts with Malema

"The My Top 10@10 feature has been very popular among Kaya FM listeners and when an opportunity came to expand that brand, we welcomed it with open arms," says T-Bose, who hosts the show on Kaya FM. He adds, "The show has always celebrated South Africa and its talent and now listeners who become our viewers will get an opportunity to see what goes on in studio."

Filmed at the Kaya FM studios, the show will profile some of South Africa's well-known personalities, musicians, business people and politicians. ANC Youth League president Julius Malema is the first guest. He will share with viewers his top ten favourite songs that have influenced the man we know today.

The show airs on Mzansi Magic, DStv, Channel 107 every Wednesday at 10pm.

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