Harnessing the power of the internet and targeting the listening needs of Australia's huge mobile workforce, Australian Truck Radio is now on air, offering truck drivers a station focused on them and the trucking lifestyle.
Founder and manager Simon Smith says the station recognises the need for a connection to the trucking community, and also the responsibilities which come with it.
“They’re a huge mobile community and they are looking for their own station, and now we have to technology and resources to provide that nationally 24/7,” Smith says.
“The mobile phone is today’s radio transmitter and receiver.”
Smith is a veteran of radio broadcasting who initiated the successful ‘truckers’ radio’ format at several stations in southern NSW during the late 1980s, mostly on the midnight to dawn shift.
He says an unexpected bonus after the original shows were on air for a time, was an anecdotal reduction in fatigue-related accidents involving heavy vehicles in the areas where the broadcasts were being received.
The consolidation of commercial radio networks in Australia during the past few decades has led to focus shifting from categories such as trucking as more stations chose to concentrate on specific consumer groups such as young homeowners, or even attempt to be all things to all listeners while ultimately only satisfying the overall listening needs of a few.
Australian trucking is a huge mobile community looking for industry specific news and information.
Drivers are also looking for a radio station they can lock in and leave on while they are occupying their cabs and listening to the information and entertainment which apply to their own work activities as well as their, often unique, lifestyles.
“If you’ve got a radio station and you’re trying to be everything to everybody it’s not going to work,” says Smith.
Simon Smith of Australian Truck Radio
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“We provide something that people want with a music-driven format, and in between the songs we can have a bit of a laugh and a bit of variety including regular on-air conversations with industry people.”
“The trucking industry has changed,” he points out.
“It’s mostly dual carriageway between capital cities such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
“In the past, drivers would pull up at a roadhouse and sit around and have a meal together, but now with the dual carriageways, that opportunity for camaraderie is no longer there.
“We want to provide a radio station that’s like a truckies’ campfire where they can sit around and talk and listen.”
Smith says Australian Truck Radio, dubbed the ‘voice of Australian trucking’, can be heard simply by downloading the designated Radio Station app.
“The mobile phone is today’s radio transmitter. You can download the app straight onto your mobile plus you can of course listen online from our Australian Truck Radio website,” he adds.
“The Australian Truck Radio program format is designed to be a radio station that truckies around Australia can lock onto 24/7.
“There’s loads of trucking classics every hour with heaps of handy industry news and information plus lots more all day every day.”
Music can range from anywhere between Slim Dusty and Lee Kernaghan to Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil, INXS and Bruce Springsteen.
“It’s a jukebox for truckies that goes everywhere you do,” says Smith.
“The trucking industry is the biggest niche market in Australian radio and this huge mobile community deserves to have their own 24/7 radio station – now they do.”
To find out more, visit australiantruckradio.com.au