East Coast Radio’s GM, Boni Mchunu, says the move follows on from a recent survey about the quality of the East Coast Radio’s FM signal, which identified Richards Bay as an area with poor signal.

Mchunu says, "As Richards Bay is a key node both from a commercial and a potential audience perspective, the station applied to ICASA for a new more powerful transmitter to better serve the people of the greater Richards Bay area."

She adds, "The station is very excited about the opportunity to increase its footprint in the uMhlathuze area. We hope to win over the hearts of more people in the greater Richards Bay area with our compelling entertainment, information, and music offering."

The station’s programming manager Zane Derbyshire adds, "We had to submit a formal application to ICASA to install a new transmitter in Richards Bay to boost our transmission in the area. Once this was granted, Sentech, who does our FM signal distribution, then commissioned a new transmitter from their international supplier. This was then installed at a suitable site and is in a test phase before we launch."

East Coast Radio will turn on the new transmitter with its improved reach on Friday, 15 September, by broadcasting live from Richards Bay between 06:00 to 21:00. The station will also activate in the town and at a school.

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