95.5 K-Rock

Radio station


name = K-ROCK
slogan = The World Famous...
airdate = January 1990
frequency = 95.5 MHz FM
area = Geelong
format = Pop, Rock, Rap
owner = Grant Broadcasting
website = [http://www.krock.com.au krock.com.au]

95.5 K-Rock (call sign: 3CAT) is a commercial FM radio station based in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

History

Originally owned by the Hoyts organisation, which operated the successful Triple M brand in Australia, K-Rock was sold to Sydney-based Grant Broadcasting in the mid-1990s. Shortly after this the station purchased the rival Geelong station, 93.9 Bay FM, moving it from its Ryrie Street studios to co-locate in the K-Rock studios in Moorabool Street Geelong. K-Rock operates a mainstream Top 40 rock-inclined playlist. Both K-Rock and Bay FM now operate from the same studios in Geelong's CBD.

K-Rock shares transmitter facilities with sister station Bay FM (along with 94.7 The Pulse and 96.3 Rhema FM) - broadcasting from a high-powered transmitter on top of Murradoc Hill on the Bellarine Peninsula. The licence area covers the Greater Geelong area, Werribee and Western Melbourne, The Golden Plains, and the Surfcoast. K-Rock also streams online via their website.

3GL

In the case of Geelong, K-Rock was originally known as 3GL on the AM band. 3GL was offered an FM conversion upon the entry to the Geelong market of FM competitor BAY FM. 3GL converted to FM to allow equal competition in the Geelong regional market. Thus the former Geelong AM service management agreed to the conversion (or transfer of service) to the FM band in 1990. 3GL dropped the 3GL call sign in favour of 3CAT, an ID that was proposed by the radio station's head of football commentary Ted Whitten (who at the time was in the early stages of affliction of cancer). 3CAT never made it to air being changed to K-Rock on the eve of its commencement on the FM band at 95.5.

It formerly broadcast on the 1350kHz frequency (1341kHz after the change to 9kHz spacing) and was notable for being receivable over most of the Melbourne metropolitan area. 3GL has been the home of many well known names who formerly worked in Melbourne including Gene Fisk, Don Lunn (dec.) and Denis Scanlan. The station was well known for its "3GL on the West Coast" slogan and associated jingles, many sung by Mike "Up There Cazaly" Brady. 3GL, for many years, was based in James Street Geelong but relocated after being granted the right to convert to the FM band in 1990, and changed their call sign from 3GL to 3CAT, and the 3GL callsign was allowed to lapse. In 2007, K-ROCK celebrated 75 years of broadcasting 3GL and K-ROCK Footy, culminating in a week of broadcasting at various events as the city celebrated the first AFL Premiership victory by the Geelong Football Club in 44 years.

K Rock's most successful lineup featured Dave & Roxie on the Big Mattress (Dave Gorr & Roxanne Bennett), Steve Woods (also Program Director), Todd Austin, Frank Fursey & Wazza (Warren Penny).

At it's peak this lineup delivered record ratings in Geelong, Werribee and Western Melbourne with a blend of Classic Rock and personality.

Current line-up

In 2008, the on-air line-up consists of The Sarah and Matt Show (6am-9am), Daryl Reader (9am-noon), Gordie Waters (noon-4pm), The Peter Mobbs Radio Show (4pm-8pm), and Silent Bob overnight.