Digital Liberation

BASE FM is thrilled to announce their Digital Liberation movement, enticing the masses to rise up and tune into radio resurgence.

“It all starts with the underground” – Tom Scott, Homebrew / @Peace

A nationwide switch to digital TV is currently sweeping the country, offering Auckland’s BASE FM on Freeview Channel 71, the opportunity to shine. This month the big little station breaks free from the confines of FM and embraces Digital Liberation with a couple of exciting initiatives celebrating their commitment to home-grown music; not only as a radio station, but as a cultural incubator that nurtures the sound of the underground.

Commemorating New Zealand Music Month, BASE FM launches the Digital Liberator Webisode Series, and ‘Turn It Up!’; A 36 track double CD featuring fresh local talent, both of which will complement an extensive on-air campaign and website facelift. Listeners; new and loyal will have the chance to experience Base FM like never before.

Digital Liberator Is a documentary web series that takes a look at BASE FM’s unique culture and history traversing the past, present and future. Directed by Reelgood Productions the series celebrates BASE FM’s 9-year milestone and talks to the artists, Djs and personalities that have grown up alongside the BASE FM movement. The Series features friends, and ‘Liberators’; Ladi6, Parks, Julien Dyne & B.Haru Music (Ladi6 Crew), Tom Scott (Home Brew, @Peace) Mara TK and Taay Ninh (Electric Wire Hustle), Scratch 22, Isaac Aesili (Funkommunity, LatinAotearoa), Mark Williams AKA MC Slave (Fat Freddy’s Drop), King Kapisi, Manual Bundy and more.

EPISODE 1: How it began

EPISODE 2: It all starts with the underground

EPISODE 3: It’s a movement

Turn It Up! The Local Tune Of The Week was created to showcase New Zealand’s freshest underground music. Brought to you by NZ On Air, the feature plays weekdays at 10am and 4pm featuring songs from the world of soul, hiphop, beats, dubstep, reggae and drum & bass. ‘Turn It Up!’ brings together tracks from the last 9 months; sequenced, mixed and cut by Base FM Programme Director and DJ, Dylan C.

Recognizing the potential of Digital TV was a natural first step for Managing Director Jasmin ‘Jazz’ Ziedan when she took over the station in 2008. She saw it as an innovative way to reach every home across New Zealand. Since that pioneering move, Base FM has continued to build a strong and loyal following.

New figures show 89% of New Zealand households have already converted to digital TV proving the switch is well and truly unstoppable. Base FM proudly broadcasts with crystal clear definition on Freeview Channel 71 (terrestrial and satellite) affirming its claim as one of only four radio stations on the Freeview network.

While Freeview offers exceptional HD sound quality at home, Base FM knows mobile technology is equally important. TuneIn App has made BASE FM accessible to anyone with a smartphone anywhere, anytime, worldwide.

“Going digital means equal rights for us broadcasters. It’s not about being part of a big network with great financial backing, it’s about having the same reach geographically and allowing people to decide what they want to listen to, rather than being limited to what they can get,” says Jazz.

With 56 weekly shows and over 80 DJs on the roster, Base FM has always been about the people behind the turntables: a passionate community who use this unique platform to express themselves and share their musical knowledge. “There is no set playlist, instead we give the DJs 100% control over what is played on the station and it’s this freedom ensures the music selections are always fresh and dynamic” Says Programme Director, Dylan C.

Base FM DJs are liberated by exposing music that wouldn’t otherwise be heard on commercial radio, and a ‘No Commercial Bullshit’ policy offers underground music a platform to flourish and speak for itself without conforming to a mainstream appeal.

‘Every show is a show of self-expression; when you get a radio show with us, you get us” – Chip Matthews, Base Breakfast Host.

“Base FM is necessary and fundamental to the next generation and growth of NZ music” – Isaac Aesili