Radio KLFM

What Radio KLFM does

Radio KLFM is a nonprofit community radio station and registered charity based in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, operating since 1989 on FM frequencies 96.5 (Bendigo) and 106.3 (Castlemaine). The station serves Central Victoria's baby boomer demographic (aged 50+) with a broad variety of music from the 1950s through 1980s, complemented by classic programs such as Casey Kasem's American Top 40 and specialist shows covering Irish, Jazz, Country, and Rock n Roll content. It is the only station licensed to specifically target this demographic in the region and holds Official Emergency Broadcaster status for central Victoria. KLFM operates from 7am to midnight and beyond, broadcasting five local news bulletins daily alongside 3AW Melbourne's national news on the hour, with only 5 minutes of advertising per hour to ensure message prominence.

The station receives no government funding and is sustained through listener donations (credit card, bank transfer, or cheque) and local advertising sales. Operations are predominantly volunteer-driven, with a small staff handling advertising sales (Brian Kemp and Graeme Clarke) through direct outreach to local businesses. The technology infrastructure consists of traditional FM broadcasting combined with a JavaScript-based live streaming player accessible worldwide via the station's website. Key personnel include Senior Technician Mike Tobin (also a founding member of the Technorama Board and CBAA Technical Standing Committee) and former Business Manager Geoff Anderson, who brought experience from 3AW Melbourne and other commercial stations.

KLFM's business model is characteristic of Australian community broadcasting: nonprofit, donor-supported, with limited advertising inventory (5 minutes per hour) and a niche audience focus. The station has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed funding rounds. Its competitive position rests on its licensed FM frequencies, exclusive demographic targeting license, emergency broadcaster designation, and 35+ years of brand recognition in Central Victoria.

Name

Radio KLFM

Legal name

Radio KLFM

Website

https://klfm.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Radio KLFM is a nonprofit community radio station in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, broadcasting music from the 1950s-1980s to baby boomers aged 50+ across Central Victoria on FM 96.5 and 106.3, funded by donations and local advertising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Local radio station
• Emergency broadcasting services
• Radio advertising sales
• Music radio programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Bendigo

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: Radio KLFM is a nonprofit registered charity that receives no government funding. They accept credit card donations by phone, direct bank transfers, and cheques to support station operations and maintain live local programming.
2. Advertising: Local advertising sold directly to businesses in Bendigo and Central Victoria. The station runs only 5 minutes of ads per hour. Contact is made through station staff Brian Kemp and Graeme Clarke via phone and email.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Radio KLFM operates a live and local community FM radio station serving Bendigo and Central Victoria, broadcasting a broad variety of music from the 1950s through 1980s alongside specialist programs, local and national news, and emergency broadcasting. Content is delivered on FM (96.5 Bendigo, 106.3 Castlemaine) and worldwide via internet streaming. The station is a registered charity sustained by listener donations and local advertising, with on-air operations delivered by volunteers.

Product overview

Radio KLFM is a nonprofit community radio station based in Bendigo, Victoria, offering a single unified broadcast service. The core product is live and local radio broadcasting featuring music from the 50s through 80s, complemented by specialist programs and classic shows. Supporting services include internet streaming (Listen Live), donation collection, advertising sales, and official emergency broadcasting. The station operates from 7am to midnight and beyond, reaching Central Victoria on frequencies 96.5 and 106.3 MHz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Radio KLFM Broadcast Live and local community FM radio broadcasting across Bendigo and Central Victoria on 96.5 and 106.3 MHz, playing music from the 1950s through 1980s complemented by classic radio shows, local and national news, and emergency broadcasts. Targeted at mature listeners (baby boomers, 50+) and advertisers seeking access to that demographic.
• Listen Live Streaming Live internet audio streaming allowing listeners worldwide to tune in to KLFM via a web browser from anywhere in the world.
• Radio Programs Scheduled daily and weekly radio programs including Drive, Breakfast, Morning Mix, Jukebox, Afternoons, and specialist shows such as Jazz After Hours, Country Music Requests, Rock n Roll Dance Party, and Casey Kasem's American Top 40. Delivered on-air and via streaming.
• Advertising Services Tailor-made radio advertising plans sold directly to local businesses in Bendigo and Central Victoria, with only 5 minutes of ads per hour and access to the 50+ baby boomer demographic with high disposable income. Sold via in-house staff Brian Kemp and Graeme Clarke.
• Donation Services Donation collection services enabling listeners to financially support the nonprofit community radio station via credit card (by phone), direct bank transfer (NAB BSB 083 543, A/C 11 414 4280), or cheque.
• Emergency Broadcasting Official Emergency Broadcast service providing up-to-date emergency information including official warnings, alerts, and advice for Central Victoria, integrated into the station's regular broadcast and streaming output.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 3AW MelbourneminorOthersKLFM broadcasts 3AW Melbourne's national news on the hour as part of their programming schedule. This provides national news content to complement their local news bulletins.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• 4ZZZ Brisbane: Brisbane community radio station operating on a nonprofit, volunteer-driven model with diverse music programming. Comparable as an Australian community broadcaster with similar funding mix of donations and underwriting.
• FBi Radio Sydney: Sydney community radio station with a music-and-culture focus. Comparable to KLFM as an Australian community broadcaster relying on donations, sponsorships, and volunteer on-air talent.
• Triple R (3RRR): Melbourne-based community radio station operating on a similar nonprofit, volunteer-driven model with specialist music programming. Directly comparable as an Australian community broadcaster reliant on donations, listener support, and volunteer presenters.
• PBS 106.7FM: Melbourne community radio station with a music-led, volunteer-presenter model. Closely comparable to KLFM as an Australian community radio station funded by donations and community support with specialist programming.
• 2SER Sydney: Sydney listener-supported community radio station. Directly comparable as an Australian nonprofit community broadcaster with volunteer presenters and donation-based funding.
• RTRFM Perth: Perth community radio station with a nonprofit, volunteer-presenter model and specialist music programming. Comparable as an Australian community broadcaster funded through subscriptions and donations.
• Bay FM Geelong: Regional Victorian community radio station. Directly comparable as a regional Australian community broadcaster; Geoff Anderson, KLFM's Business Manager, previously held sales roles at Bay FM Geelong.
• 5UV (Radio Adelaide): Adelaide community radio station with volunteer-driven programming. Comparable to KLFM as an Australian nonprofit community broadcaster with specialist shows and donation-based support.
• 3AW Melbourne: Major Melbourne commercial talk/news radio station and existing content partner of KLFM (provides hourly national news). Comparable as a regional Australian radio broadcaster with news/talk-adjacent programming, though at much larger commercial scale.

Broad incumbents

• ABC Radio (Local/Regional): Australia's national public broadcaster, including its regional services (e.g., ABC Bendigo, where Mike Tobin previously worked). Comparable as a regional broadcaster serving Central Victoria audiences, though operating at vastly larger scale with government funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RadioKLFM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/radio-klfm

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Radio KLFM