EVERYBODY loves TV. Some people arrange their lives around TV. But what about the other little miracle in the media family? It’s a device that many people use as a means of information, especially those of us who spend a lot of our time in the car. The radio is man’s best friend at work or in the car, especially since the fine for talking on the mobile while driving has gone up.
I have caught myself more than once having a jolly old time while driving back home from the gym or work. The volume’s on full blast and I’m screaming my head off.
Radio is associated with music and funny radio shows, especially the morning ones that wake you up while you’re sipping that frappe and trying desperately to open the other eye that is still asleep. Luckily, I only have to drive 35 minutes to get to work, but what about all those people that work in other cities or whose work involves driving all day? I bet they say: “Thank God there’s radio!” even if it means listening to miserable pop songs all day. Don’t get me wrong, I love all kind of music and “Thank God” there are so many choices in Cyprus. I remember a time when CyBC was all we had, but now everyone can find exactly what they want with the right radio station.
But exactly how many radio stations are trying to survive in Cyprus? Well, there are quite a lot, nearly 60, some of which are holding on to the podium positions and others that are slowly disappearing. It probably isn’t a shock that the channels that are slowly disappearing are the news stations that were once the glory of radio in Cyprus.
“The only radio stations that are gaining ground are music stations,” says Yiannis Adilinis, DJ and chief editor of Time Out magazine.
The number one radio station today in Cyprus is Super FM. Live shows, funny DJs that keep you listening to them because you just know they are going to play a cool song. But above all, they keep the radio waves at a fun point without tiring you too much. “These are the main reasons we are number one in Cyprus,” said a spokesperson for Super FM.
Super FM plays Greek hits and uses the secret weapon used by every radio station in the world: play lists. This means that the programme director chooses songs to be played on the radio station and those songs are added to the play list. These are songs that have been hits in Greece or other countries. “This is the formula for all radio stations,” said Yiannis Adilinis, “and only in the last year does nearly every radio station work with play lists.”
But although play lists are the way to do it, another secret ingredient is what exact kind of music a radio station plays. “There has to be a specific kind of music that a radio station plays in order to work,” said Yiannis. Love Radio plays Greek and International songs, but it’s specific – only ballads, no beats. So, if you feel like crying your eyes out or belting out a Celine Dion, then you turn to Love radio, but if you are in the mood for a dance or the latest international hits, you go to Mix FM, Kiss FM or Radio Deejay. “These radio stations only play international songs including rn’b, trance, house, pop and rap,” said Yiannis. “It wouldn’t really mesh to play Robbie Williams and then a Greek song.”
The Super FM spokesperson explained just how important specific music can be: “If you play music and only music, without having the boring shows that feature news and overall information, then you have a number one music station.”
That is why so many 15 to 30-year-olds prefer these kinds of radio stations to any other. You know that what you want, you get. The General managers of all radio stations in Cyprus are now aware of this, after looking about what is happening in Greece. But the money is where the advertising is, no matter what sappy songs a station plays. “Advertisers know that if they advertise with a radio station that a younger audience listens to, they’ll have more impact,” said Yiannis, “because the truth is, there is only a small number of older people who will listen to advertisements.”
Even if it’s only sports, imagine how many football maniacs in Cyprus listen to Supersports, a new radio station that broadcasts on four different frequencies. I have to tell you, a lot. So, get into your car and take a look at the radio stations you’ve got saved on the memory. I bet there is one for every occasion.
WHAT’S HOT
Love Radio 88.2
In the mood for love? This radio station plays Greek and International love songs straight from Athens.
Kiss FM 89.0
Nearly every country in the world has a Kiss FM and so do we. It only plays international music and mostly hits from rn’b to trance; therefore Kiss’ audience is mostly youngsters or anyone who feels young.
Sky Radio 93.3
Probably the best radio station in Limassol with a modern touch of music and interviews. Ages from very young to 40 listen to Sky Radio.
Radio Deejay 93.6
Another new station addressed to the younger generation and definitely a station to listen to if you are in the mood for a dance and good hit songs.
Radio Zenith 96.4
Broadcasts from outside Nicosia in Dhali and plays all kinds of music for all ages. It is a radio station that is quite popular and has good shows.
Radio Sfera 96.8
This radio station is quite new and focuses on the Greek repertory. Small celebrities in Cyprus including the winner of Cyprus’ beauty contest in 1998 host the radio shows.
Radio Proto 99.3
An older generation station, heavy on news and, of course, one for the football maniacs as it has live coverage of every football match in Cyprus.
Mix FM 102.3
One of my favourites and a very popular station to every 20 to 30-year-old in Nicosia, Mix FM plays all the hits and has great, catchy adverts.
Melody Radio 103.1
Melody Radio broadcasts Greek and International music in Limassol with top DJs and new hits.
Super FM 104.7
The number one radio station in Cyprus. Plays mostly Greek songs and has got all of Cyprus listening and singing along to the tunes.
Radio Elios 107.6
Everyone knows radio Elios and nearly every English speaking person in Cyprus listens to the early morning shows. Great music because it covers every generation, even the oldies everyone loves.
