B105 FM
 |
| Broadcast area | Brisbane |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 105.3 MHz FM (1990-) |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Affiliations | Today Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Austereo Radio Network |
| 4MMM | |
| History | |
First air date | September 29, 1930 (as 4BK) February 26, 1990 (as 4BBB) |
Former call signs | 4BK |
Former frequencies | 1290 kHz AM (1930-1935) 1300 kHz AM (1935-1978) 1296 kHz AM (1978-1990) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | B105 Player |
| Website | Official website |
B105 (call sign: 4BBB) is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting on 105.3 MHz in Brisbane, Australia. It is part of the Austereo Radio Network. B105's primary audience is 10 to 24 age group.
History
The station now known as B105 began life as 4BK, commencing transmission in 1930 on the AM band, initially on the frequency 1290 kHz before changing to 1300 kHz in 1935. The introduction of 9 kHz spacing on the AM band led to 4BK moving to 1296 kHz in 1978.
In 1988, the Austereo group purchased the station from Hoyts, intending to use it as a vehicle to bid for an FM conversion licence. Austereo won the FM licence, and in February 1990, the station changed its callsign to 4BBB (not used on-air, unlike the previous AM callsign) and commenced broadcasting on a frequency of 105.3 MHz with the on-air name B105.
Between March 1990 until 2006 it was the highest rating station in Brisbane, except in one ratings survey in 1994, beaten by AM station 4KQ.
Studios
The 4BK studio complex, located at 16 Campbell Street, Bowen Hills, was converted to an FM facility with 4BK commencing broadcasting as B105 FM in 1990. The studio complex remained at the Bowen Hills location until August 2000, when owners Austereo relocated B105 and sister station Triple M into new combined premises at 309 North Quay, Brisbane. The new complex was the first in Australia to use the revolutionary Klotz Digital audio system.
Transmission
B105 has always transmitted from the Channel Ten tower at Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane. It originally used Harris HT10 tube transmitters to deliver the service, however in 2002 a new solid state Harris Z10CD transmitter was installed at the newly created TX Australia facility under the Channel Ten tower. The existing HT10 transmitter now serves as a backup facility located at the Channel Seven tower, 1 km away from Channel Ten on Mount Coot-tha. B105's base power is 5 kilowatts.
Former Breakfast Show - "Jamie Dunn and the B105 Morning Crew"
Jamie Dunn, Ian Skippen and Donna Lynch were the original B105 Morning Crew starting in 1990. Donna Lynch was eventually replaced by Robyn Bailey. Bailey was shifted to Drive in 2002, making way for Penny Cooper. Agro, a puppet character owned and voiced by Jamie Dunn, made regular appearances on the B105 Morning Crew.
In 2004 Austereo shifted the anchor of the B105 Morning Crew, Ian Skippen, to anchor a new show on sister station Triple M. Ian Skippen was replaced by Drive announcer Dean Kesby. While Skippen and the new Triple M Breakfast team enjoyed success, B105's fortunes declined. The introduction of DMG's new FM station Nova 106.9 reduced B105's ratings, dropping it to third position for the first time in its history.
On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, B105 announced the departure of Jamie Dunn who had resigned after talks with management failed to secure him a contracted future with B105. The final show was on Friday December 2, 2005 with an outside broadcast at the Royal Brisbane Children's Hospital.
One sour note was the decision, in all likelihood directed by Austereo, to briefly include former B105 breakfast anchor Ian Skippen in the final broadcast. At around 7.30am Skippen appeared on stage in Triple M gear, and used the time on air (broadcast on both 4MMM and B105) to promote Triple M and his new show while contributing $2,000 to the appeal. Dunn and Skippen had experienced conflict in the past.
"B105's New Breakfast Show"
B105 trialled possible candidates for the new Breakfast Show through a Drive program that ran from 4pm - 6pm. B105 eventually chose Gabby, Mike and Stav, along with Ben Wasley, who had previously anchored Austereo's The Arvo with Peter Hellier and Judith Lucy. "B105's New Breakfast Show" was renamed "The New Buzz in Brisbane" in mid-2006.
Labby, Camilla and Stav
The current breakfast show is Labrat, Camilla and Stav. It includes a number of radio hosts:
- Jason "Labrat" Hawkins
- Camilla Severi
- Stewart "Stav" Davidson
- Natasha "Tash" Jobson
Ratings
B105 is currently 2nd in the Brisbane radio ratings. Labby, Camilla and Stav is 3rd, during the workday they are 5th and 4th respectively, Hamish and Andy are 1st, and Hot 30 are 2nd.
Current B105 Shows
- 6am-9am Jason "Labrat" Hawkins, Camilla "Camilla" Severi, Stewart "Stav" Davidson - [Labrat, Camilla and Stav - Breakfast]
- 9am-1pm Matt Sutton - Morning announcer
- 1pm-4pm Ryan "Totters" Tothill - Afternoon announcer/Music Director (Tuesday to Thursday)
- 1pm-4pm Kiri Martin - Afternoons (Monday & Friday)
- 4pm-6pm Hamish and Andy - Drive
- 6pm-7pm Kyle & Jackie O's Hour of Power - Early Nights
- 7pm-10pm Hot30 Countdown with Tim Lee and Carla "Biggzy" Bigsnaca - Nights
- 10pm-12am Smart People With Dene, Chris & BC (Thursday ONLY) - www.smartpeopleradio.com
- Weekend announcers/Fill In:- Kiri Martin, Dene Mason & Jo Lynch
Current B105 Newsreaders
Melissa Martin (News Director), Ange Anderson, Emma Blackwood, Mandy Llynch (on occasions) and Tasha Jobson