Hope 103.2

Hope 103.2 is an Easy Listening station in Sydney, Australia, transmitting on the FM dial at 103.2 MHz. Founded as 2CBA by the Rev. Vernon Turner, it commenced broadcasting on 5 March 1979 and cemented itself as Australia's first Christian FM radio station. Its mission is 'Communicating Hope to transform life, faith and culture'.

Hope 103.2
Broadcast areaSydney
SloganThere's Always Hope
FormatEasy Listening
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT204 m[1]
Call sign meaning2 = New South Wales Christian Broadcasting Association
OwnerHope Media Ltd, formerly Christian Broadcasting Association
Sister stationsInspire Digital
Websitehttp://hope1032.com.au

The station provides a mixed format of Christian, easy listening and hot adult contemporary music. Its programming includes talk show, Open House, which explores life, faith and hope from a Christian perspective.[2] Station programming also features competitions, listener interaction, morning devotionals, short Christian spots, as well as broadcasts of church services each Sunday from St. Thomas' North Sydney and St. John's in Parramatta.

Sister station Inspire Digital was the first Australian Community Radio station launched on DAB+ in 2010.

The radio station relocated from Five Dock to its current studios in Seven Hills (the former home of WSFM) and was renamed FM103.2 in 2002, with the tag-line The Heart of Sydney. The station was renamed Heart 103.2 in December 2007, but this was challenged legally by Macquarie Regional Radioworks who held a generic right to the name Heart. It was decided to use "Sydney's 1032" as the interim on-air identifier for 2008.[3]

On Monday, 15 December 2008 at Midnight the station was renamed as Hope 103.2. Listeners offered their suggestions for a new name for the station and Hope was judged the best and most popular.[4]

History

Hope FM began broadcasting initially as 2CBA FM 103.2, "all beautiful music" in 1979, whose format was continuous easy listening music, mixed with Christian news and messages. During this period, much of the music played included James Last, Eric Jupp, Richard Clayderman, Klaus Wunderlich, and other similar sounding artists. Many of these tracks were not always, but often instrumental versions of more popular hits of the 50s 60s 70s, and 80s. The station ceased this style of programming during late 1999 in favour of the current format.

Programming

The format of Hope 103.2 is described as "Contemporary Christian Radio", which is Christian-infused mainstream light contemporary radio. The program format is designed to reach out to the wider community as well as the Christian community. This is achieved with "family friendly" and accessible music with a positive or relational message, whether performed by Christian or non-Christian artists and regardless of whether or not the music is intentionally carrying a Christian message. Hope 103.2 also broadcasts FRESH with David Esquen on Saturday nights, alongside overnight music, other helpful programs such as Time with God with John North, Focus on the Family and more.

Open House

Now on hiatus Open House was on-air from 7 to 10 Sunday evenings, and is a live talk show exploring life, faith and culture from a Christian perspective. From April 2006 to March 2011, the show was hosted by Sheridan Voysey. From April 2011 until December 2013, Open House was hosted by TV and Radio Broadcaster Leigh Hatcher. The 2014 host of Open House was Dwyane Jeffries. The most recent host was Stephen O'Doherty.

Christmas Hope

Christmas Hope is an online music channel and website produced by Hope Media Ltd. The station runs online from November through to January.

Digital Radio

Inspire Digital

In November 2010, Hope Media commenced broadcasting of Inspire Digital on Sydney DAB+ Radio. It is also available online via live stream on their website. Inspire Digital is Australia's first Christian Digital Radio Station, providing Christian Music and teaching.

FRESH Radio

Hope Media additionally broadcasts FRESH Radio on their website. While using the FRESH branding, FRESH Radio airs only music.

Nine News

Prior to the Nine Radio rebrand from Macquarie Radio Network in 2020, Hope 103.2 broadcast the live simulcasts of Sydney's leading news service, Nine News (via Channel Nine Sydney), airing every night except Saturdays, at 6:00 pm. This commenced in July 2008.

Prior to the Nine Network-Macquarie Radio Group merger, Nine News / 9news.com.au were also the proud sponsors of ‘'Hope 1032 News'’.

Album Playlist

Hope 103.2 plays hits from Christian artists such as Francesca Battistelli, Casting Crowns, Third Day, tobyMac, MercyMe, Revive & Charmaine (musician). In addition, Hope plays a wide range of contemporary mainstream music.

Management

Phillip Randall, previously CEO of Sonshine FM, Perth, is the CEO of Hope Media Ltd.
Dwayne Jeffries is General Manager
Ramona Ishac is Group Sales Manager
Justin Kendall is Community Relations Manager
Lynelle Micati is Finance Manager
Stephen Wilkinson is Technical Operations Manager

2CBA and other Christian radio

2CBA is one of Australia's longest established FM radio services, and the longest established full-time Christian radio service.[5]

See also

References
  1. HAAT estimated from http://www.itu.int/SRTM3/ using EHAAT.
  2. "About The Open House Show". Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  3. "Hope 103.2's story". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  4. "Hope 103.2's story". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  5. "ACMA Community Licence allocations and renewals". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
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