METRO FM Changes Tune
Yes it’s cliché that change is the only thing that’s constant, but as Leo Tolstoy once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Metro FM will constantly change itself to adapt to the changing world and to grow a little more each day. The station as a brand is arguably at its strongest and will always work harder to better its position and promise to its listener. This process will often involve some introspection and change. “We are enjoying probably the strongest line up we have ever had in a long time and as much as adaptation and growth involves sacrifices, we are always trying to look at what’s best for the brand, the personalities involved with it and the most important stakeholder, the listener”, says Sibongile Mtyali, Metro FM Station Manager.
There’s never a decision that satisfies the world but it’s important that it satisfies the ethos and principles of the said brand and Metro FM is confident this new Line up for 2018/19 represents the interests of all its stakeholders. Metro FM has grown immensely in the last year book on book and it has solidified its position as South Africa’s strongest commercial brand in the radio space. The 2017/18 line up not only delivered on the promise it created when the station announced it last year but it has also reinforced the relationship the station has with its listeners. It is with this trust and advice that Metro FM presents its brand new line up that will take the station into the next frontier.
Metro FM is an urban commercial brand that breathes the aspirations and nuances of an upwardly mobile South African and it is with this in mind that the station has introduced some changes to its line-up. Some of the changes are informed by change in career direction by certain personalities who have sadly decided to leave the station and introduction of new energy to fill up and add to the magic left by the other personalities. Metro FM as parted ways with some of their favourite presenters and wishes them all the best in their next chapter in their professional journey.
Programmes Manager, Anthony Soglo says “Nothing is more heart-breaking than parting ways with people who have served and serviced the station with great respect, responsibility and revered reviews but you’d rather have and lose someone like that than not have them at all.”
The new Metro FM Line Up sees some former family members and some new radio talents as the station reflects the state of entertainment and media in South Africa. Every year the station thrives to reinvent itself in an ever-changing world of radio and this year is no different. “We have never been a station that changes for the sake of change but rather one that adapts to a changing medium and because we deal with premium talent who are always reinventing themselves, we always have to be ready to allow that process to take place.” – Station Manager Sibongile Mtyali.
Metro FM is proud to announce their 2018/2019 line up that kicks off this weekend April 1st with changes both in the weekend and week day programming. The changes not only affect time channels but hosts and in certain instances, production teams.
• Weekdays still start with Sentle Lehoko hosting the early morning show The Private Line from midnight till 3am and taking the mic from 3am till 5am is Marian Lartey-Nyako with AM Edition.
• Fresh Breakfast is still led by
• slot of 9 to 12pm the charismatic and captivating DJ Fresh. He is joined by Somizi, Mpho Maboi on Sport News and Angie Khumalo on News & Current Affairs. The show extends with an #ExtraFresh hour from 05:00 – 09:00. This move does not only respond to the demands of the listeners but also to adapt to business strategies and brand positioning of the station into the new radio cycle.
• Coming in from 9am till midday is #theBridge with Dineo Ranaka. The show is also extended by an hour as Metro FM goes back to the usual mid-morning. Dineo will still be joined by Lerato Kganyago to co-host the show.
• •Between 12:00 and 15:00, lunch is served on a silver platter with Thomas Msengana and Pearl Modiadie and still delivering your afternoon news and breaking stories is Melanie Bala.
• #theDriveOnMetro still sees Mo Flava and Masechaba Ndlovu delivering the latest in news; entertainment and lifestyle from 3pm till 6pm. Joining them is renowned SABC sport journalist and avid cyclist Owen Hannie taking care of the sport on the show with Kgopedi Lilokoe still giving you your afternoon news bulletin and breaking stories.
• The #UltimateSportShow sees a new kid on the radio block but very experienced and passionate Sport Broadcaster Thomas Mlambo take over the show from 6pm till 7:30pm delivering the breaking sports stories and exclusive interviews with some of the legends, coaches and sports stars in South Africa, the continent and the world.
• Metro FM Talk remains the same informative and interactive programming with Rams Mabote doing Monday and Tuesday with Kgopedi Lilokoe officially taking over Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 till 9pm.
• I AM DJ Man aka Ismael Abrahams is still your late night host on Prime Time Night Radio from 9pm till midnight.
The weekend line up also sees a few changes and additions that the station is hoping will take their weekend programing to the next level.
• Friday night sees the #AudioGasm duo of Naked DJ and Lulo Café from 19:30 till 22:00 before they hand over to DJ Mlu Dlukudlu from 22:00 till 01:00 with the Urban Beat
• The #UrbanBeat is on Fridays and Saturdays at the same time. Siphokazi January is still your early morning companion every Saturday morning from 01:00 till 6am and 01:00-03:00 on Sunday mornings.
• Saturday Breakfast is one of Metro FM’s strongest brand properties and this is served by Mpho “Mo G” Madise who will be joined by TV presenter and Radio girl Thembisa Mdoda from 06:00 to 09:00 on #theWKNDR.
• Following that is the Metro FM Top 40 Chart Show hosted by Dineo Ranaka from 09:00 till 13:00 and it’s still the only chart show that counts! Dineo Ranaka is joined by media personality Bujy Bikwa who is a well-known name in the entertainment industry. He brings excitement and freshness to the art of hosting and presenting.
• Metro FM is proud to also introduce a brand new show on Saturdays be hosted by Cape Town based Radio and TV personality Khanya “Kayzee” Siyengo. The Show is created to offer exclusive interviews on new releases, artist activities and projects, upcoming music events and recording news and runs from 13:00 till 15:00.
• Then we have the classic #IBelieve with Oskido from 15:00 till 18:00 every Saturday and followed by the ever charming and charismatic #AbsoluteHipHop with DJ Speedsta and LootLove from 18:00 till 22:00.
• Sunday line up is as wonderful as it’s always been and sees Ntombi Ngcobo from 03:00 till 06:00 on #EpicSundays as she delivers you into #theSacredSpace with Thami Ngubeni and Khaya Mthethwa from 06:00 till 09:00.
• Wilson B. Nkosi delivers his #SoundsAndStuffLikeThat from 09:00 till noon with the #SundaySoulTherapy hosted by Msizi Shembe from Midday till 3pm. #TheRomanticRepetoire with Sentle Lehoko is from 15:00 till 18:00 before Mo G takes over from 18:00 till 21:00 with Sunday Night Love to wrap up #theLoveMovement.
• Ending off Sundays on a Jazzy note is Nothemba Madumo from 21:00 till Midnight with The Urban Jazz Experience.
Metro FM wishes to thank the patience, love and support they receive from their listeners who have shown commitment and loyalty through stern critique and interaction through various programmes, growth doesn’t only come with well wishes but also through positive criticism which the station welcomes anytime.
Metro FM celebrated about 4,2M listeners in the recent RAMs and remains the biggest commercial radio station in South Africa. We celebrate the over a Million friends we have on our Facebook page & the recent milestone of over a million followers on Twitter! Follow us on @MetroFMSA! Here’s to a Million followers on Instagram soon! Here’s to a brand new Radio Year & new memories to be made on air.
The station management wishes the best of luck to the new line up & promises to support and encourage where needed. Here’s to a wonderful year and Mandela Centenary as we continue to ask #WhatsNext because #WeAreNotDone.
Thank You. Re a leboga. Dankie. Na khensa.
Ends
Media Enquiries
Kaizer Kganyago
SABC Spokesperson
082 306 8888
