Capital Radio 604, SA’s first independent radio station which went off air in 1996, could be back and broadcasting from Durban later this year.
A consortium has applied to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa), as Capital Radio 604 Pty Ltd, for the medium-wave licence for the Durban and uMgungundlovu areas.
Broadcasting veteran Kevin Savage, a member of the consortium and one of the voices behind the historic station in the 1970s, confirmed that moves were afoot to restart Capital Radio which was closed in 1996 when it lost its licence.
Capital will not be the only potential broadcaster applying for a licence, though, and it could take some time before a licence is confirmed.
“First we have to submit our application. Those that are good enough will be made public,” said Savage. “The public will be given three weeks to voice their objections.”
If the application is considered, Savage and the consortium will appear before Icasa to answer questions.
“They will be seeking clarity on our application. ”
Capital Radio used to broadcast from the Transkei and was well known in SA from 1979.
“The station single-handedly changed radio in SA for ever by introducing South Africans to great music, slick DJs and a great attitude, plus, no news or music censorship,” its website reads.
“The demand and support for the station has never ended as an online petition, launched by a loyal Capital Radio listener to bring back the station to the airwaves, has been signed by more than 1 000 fans.
Savage, whose broadcasting pedigree stretches back 30 years, has been a voice on stations such as Radio 5 (5fm), Capital 604 and 702. Some of the household names that presented on Capital are lan Mann, Dave Simons, Darren Scott, John Berks, Jim Ellery, Tony Newman, Martin Bailie and Oscar Renzi.
According to Savage, applicants for a broadcast licence had to pay R70 000, which was non-refundable.
“We have done research (into broadcasting in Durban), but we cannot reveal details about the programming and music that will be played yet,” said Savage.
“It is our first attempt and, should we receive the licence, we want broadcasting to begin as soon as possible.”
The other delay that could hamper the station is that the licence is for a medium-wave frequency.
“There are no medium-wave transmitters in KZN. Joburg and Cape Town still have medium-wave transmitters, but it is old technology and most of the stations in KZN use FM,” he said.
Savage said they would have to approach Sentech, a state-owned enterprise which operates in broadcasting signal distribution and telecommunications, to help with medium-wave transmitters.
“I do not see why we will not get the licence and bring back this great radio station,” he said.
