i98FM
i98FM (ACMA callsign: 2WIN) is a commercial radio station broadcasting on the FM band to the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It is owned by WIN Corporation, the parent company of WIN Television.
 | |
| City | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Wollongong RA1[1] |
| Frequency | 98.1 MHz FM |
| Slogan | Feel Good |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Hot adult contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | WIN Corporation (WIN Radio Pty Ltd) |
| Sister stations | C91.3FM |
| History | |
| First air date | 1 January 1979 |
| Former call signs | 2OO (1979–1992) |
| Former frequencies | 1575 kHz AM (1979–1992) |
| Call sign meaning | 2 - New South Wales WIN Corporation |
| Technical information | |
| Translator(s) | Kevin Hall |
| Links | |
| Website | i98FM |
History
The station was born as 2OO ("2 Double 0") on 1 January 1979, broadcasting on 1575 kHz on the AM band. It often rated well behind popular rival commercial station, 2WL (now Wave FM), who had been broadcasting in the region since 1931. On 25 June 1992, 2OO converted to FM broadcasting and was relaunched as i98fm.
Since 1995, i98fm has consistently been the #1 radio station in the region (with the exception being two consecutive surveys in late 2002 and early 2003, when its main commercial rival, Wave FM, was the #1 station).
The station was broadcasting its own live coverage of Illawarra Steelers matches since the team's inception into the NSWRL competition in 1982. After the team merged with the St. George Dragons during the 1998/99 off-season, the station continued to broadcast their own live coverage of St. George Illawarra Dragons matches until 2001. In 2002, the live Dragons matches was axed in favour of the "Continuous Call Team" on relay from Sydney station 2GB, which aired on Sunday afternoons. That move contributed to i98fm's loss of the #1 position to Wave FM.
Notable on-air teams on i98FM over the years have included: Maroon & Milly (Breakfast), Marty & Erica (Breakfast), Marty, Erica & Stretto (Breakfast), Ryan Cram & Matt Smith ("The Shift" - night program), Marty & Bianca (Breakfast), Maje & Fairlie (The Backseat - Drive program).
From October 2008 and into 2009, some big on-air changes happened at i98FM. Bianca Dye joined the Breakfast Show replacing Erica Hodge and Maje Saba and Fairlie Hamilton formed the first male/female duo team in Drive, called "The Backseat". Ryan Cram moved from nights to Afternoons and Glenn "Stolzy" Stolzenhein moved from sister station C91.3FM nights to i98's night program, called "After Hours". A weekend spot program called "Game On" was created and was hosted (until early 2012) by Tim "Robbo" Robinson.
From October 2008, i98FM began broadcasting programs that could also be heard on its Campbelltown sister station, C91.3. Ryan Cram's afternoon shift, along with networking 'The Backseat' and 'After Hours' between both stations. This arrangement was mostly discontinued from January 2010, with "After Hours" the only i98fm program to be networked to C91.3 on weekdays. From 2011, i98 stopped broadcasting programs to C91.3FM.
2012 saw the first major on-air changes to i98FM's lineup in 2–3 years. Fairlie Hamilton left "The Backseat" program, Lyndal Rodgers took up the "After Hours" program after 6pm at night and Paul Glover took over the "Game On" sports program on weekends. In 2013, Simon Anderson replaced Paul Glover as "Game On" host. Currently as of 2014, the show has various hosts.
In November 2012, i98's major charity event, the annual "Camp Quality Convoy" raised over 1 million dollars for Camp Quality charities in the Illawarra. In November 2013, a further 1.1 million dollars was raised by the annual event. In November 2014, a record $1.539 million was raised in the annual truck and bike convoy.
Former announcers
- Josh Webster (C91.3FM)
- Brendan Jones (WSFM's Jonesy and Amanda)
- Anthony Maroon (Triple M Sydney)
- Erica Hodge (Southern Cross Austereo Perth)
- Dave "Stretto" Stretton
- Matt Smith (Foxtel)
- Glenn Stolzenhein
- Tim "Robbo" Robinson (WIN Television Wagga Wagga)
- Rod Poynter
- Christian McEwan (C91.3)
- Mia Agius (KIIS 106.5 Sydney)
- Nicole Charlton
- Marcus Paul
- Bianca Dye
- Robert Kendell
- George Ilich
Peter Kaye Dean Matters I98FM Current Announcers:
6am-9am: i98 Breakfast
9am-12pm: Mornings with Lyndal
12pm-3pm: Afternoons with Justin
3pm-7pm: Drive Home with Maje
7pm-9pm: Carrie & Tommy's Best Bits