By Qabaqongo France #TheRadioJunkie
Metro FM has extended its Sunday Love Movement which started two Sundays ago. It starts at its usual time being 9 am and ending at 9 pm, with three hours added since it used to end at 6 pm. This, according to its promo, was done in order to reclaim their Sundays as it is widely known that for many years, the station has been monopolizing radio on Sundays, until recently when its Sunday listenership dramatically dropped reportedly due to the implementation of the 90% local music policy imposed by the former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and Paul Mtirara’s dismissal from the station. Paul used to host the Sunday Mid-day show, that was called the Chill Factor. He was replaced by Amon Mokoena who has now been also moved from the slot.
Two radio personalities, MoG from Kaya FM, and Msizi Shembe from Vuma FM, have been announced as the latest addition to the Sunday line up. Wilson B Nkosi is still hosting Sounds And Stuff Like That from 9 am till 12 noon, Msizi Shembe hosts the new show called The Sunday Soul Therapy from 12 noon till 3 pm. Sentle Lehoko hosts the Romantic Repertoire from 3-6 pm, then finally, MoG will host the other new show called The Sunday Night Love from 6-9 pm. The Urban Jazz Experience hosted by Nothemba Madumbo is now airing from 9 pm till 12 midnight. Facebook and Twitter were abuzz this past Sunday as the listeners warmed towards the line-up and music content and many said that it had been a while since they last enjoyed The Sunday Love Movement like that, and that the station was going back to being what it’s popularly known for on Sundays.
” I love the new Love Movement. 9 am – 9 pm. Sundays will never be the same again. # MetroFM.” , said @iNathilatha in a tweet.
” Finally Sundays are back! No more @Radio702 or @Powerfm987. It’s the #LoveMovement. Dankie @metrofmsa, this is what we appreciate and love @Mo_GSA.” , said @widdle29 in a tweet.
“Thank you @metrofmsa for extending our #lovemovement and for blessing us with @Mo_GSA on Sunday evenings. Our Sundays will never be the same. #metrofm”, said @smangele_Mnguni in a tweet.
The programming got more popular when the trio, Wilson B Nkosi, Paul Mtirara, and the late Eddie Zondy were part of the station during the same time. I think Metro FM saw it fit to change their line up and music content as Lesedi FM was giving it a run for its money on Sundays, especially during Thuso Motaung’s show, since the 90% local music policy did not badly affect several African language and culture stations, and some listeners who were loyal Metro FM listeners on Sundays, were exclaiming that they had found a new home on 702’s Solid Gold and Power FM as they played good Soul and Rhythm & Blues music on Sundays, and many radio stations across the country have copied Metro FM’s Sunday programming.
So, since Metro FM no longer gave them what it got them used to, they tuned into other stations that play most of the music that Metro FM traditionally played prior to the implementation of the 90% local music policy. As things stand, I can safely say that Metro FM will get many of its lost listeners, back.
By Qabaqongo France #TheRadioJunkie
