Albany radio stations GoldMX and 88FlyFM set to continue under new leadership

Two Albany radio stations will live on under new management after the closure of the Great Southern Weekender newspaper last month.

GoldMX 1611AM and 88FlyFM have received a lifeline from former announcer Samele Haell after the Weekender’s board voted to wind down operations and cease its weekly print publication on December 30 after 28 years.

The Barricades Media director has bought the two stations and will start broadcasting on Monday.

He aims to continue offering the content listeners have come to know, while delivering fresh local programming.

GoldMX, a classic hits station, started broadcasting in 1998.

Top-50 hits station 88FlyFM went live for the first time in 2006.

Mr Haell stepped away from his casual job at GoldMX last year but he will now lead three staff members, including former Great Southern Weekender editor Ian Beeck who has joined the team as a reporter.

“The two stations have so much potential, so much availability to produce local content, showcase regional musicians and generally be a forum for relevant news and events, along with an increase in local sports previews and results,” he said.

An app is being developed to help promote the stations, the region and the diverse voices within the community, Mr Haell said.

“Albany is a hidden gem of talented people, musicians, artists, artisans and performers across a multitude of media,” he said.

“I want to highlight this to the world as we stream on the net already, and building an app for folk to tune in to GoldMX or 88FlyFM no matter where you are will go a long way towards that goal.”