PBS is an acronym for Progressive Broadcasting Service. PBS FM is a non-profit co-operative that has been committed to providing progressive broadcasting in music and the arts for over 20 years. PBS FM is a public broadcaster. This means that we have received a licence to broadcast from the ABA (Australian Broadcasting Authority) for the benefit of the community and not to make a profit. We are in the business of giving a voice to the community.
Public broadcasting is the third and youngest sector of the Australian broadcasting system, existing alongside the national and commercial sectors. There is no other country in the world that has such a strong independent sector that has cemented itself where established state and commercially operated systems were already in existence.
The first public broadcast went to air in 1972 with 5UV in Adelaide on a restricted experimental AM licence which prohibited it from playing music. There are now over 150 public broadcasters in Australia.
In August 1978 PBS FM was successful in its application for a broadcasting licence and subsequently began a series of short broadcasts from temporary studios. The fledgling station started to make regular broadcasts to inner Melbourne in the early 1980s between 9am and 4pm from its studios at the Prince of Wales Hotel. In 1985 PBS FM moved into its permanent studio of 15 years in St Kilda, from where it started to broadcast 24 hours a day to greater Melbourne in 1987. In November 2001 we moved to Collingwood in the North of the city and into our new Easey Street Studios.
Public broadcasters licences fall into two main categories, "Community Licence" or "Specialty Licence". PBS has a "Specialty Licence" and is committed to the concept of progressive broadcasting. To PBS this means under-represented forms of music, which are innovative or historically significant. Our programming format focuses these progressive forms into specialized shows, presented by experts drawn from our listening audience.
PBS is an apolitical organization, which refrains from broadcasting direct, spoken word political comment. We neither support nor challenge any political organization or group who may take a particular political stance.
So, If you're in Melbourne tune in by flicking that dial to 106.7FM or if you're interstate or overseas tune into our webcast
