Radio 1RPH

What Radio 1RPH does

Radio 1RPH (legal name: Print Handicapped Radio of the ACT; ABN 30 504 588 789) is an Australian not-for-profit community radio station headquartered at 808 Barton Highway, Gungahlin ACT. Founded in April 1985, the station operates a radio reading service that converts printed material — major daily newspapers including the Canberra Times and The Daily Advertiser, magazines such as Cosmos and Outback, serialised books, and community newsletters — into spoken-word audio for people with print disabilities, defined by IPSOS Research (2014) as approximately 22% of the Australian population and encompassing vision impairment, literacy challenges, non-English speakers, and learning disabilities.

The technical platform spans five delivery channels operating in parallel: an AM 1125 transmitter at 2,000 watts serving southern Canberra, Queanbeyan and Yass; FM relays at 89.5 in Wagga Wagga (since May 2009) and 99.5 in Junee (since September 2012); online live streaming at listen.radio1rph.org.au; an on-demand podcast library hosted on Libsyn covering The Canberra Times, Cosmos, Outback, and interview programming; and DAB+ digital radio in the Canberra region. Broadcasts run from 7:00am to late evening, with the BBC World Service airing overnight. The station reports approximately 49,000 weekly listeners in the ACT (McNair Ingenuity Research, July 2017) and is part of the RPH Australia network, which collectively reaches 70% of the Australian population.

Operations are volunteer-driven, with a paid core of 7 staff (Station Manager William Gleeson, Production Manager/Programme Director Andy Lythgoe, Technical Director Malcolm Walker) overseen by a volunteer Management Committee (President Robert Altamore OAM FiML, Vice-President Alan Mitchell, Secretary Lorraine Litster, Treasurer position vacant, Committee Members Peter Copeman and Kaye Yen) and Patron Margaret Reid AO. Revenue is generated entirely through diversified non-commercial streams: tax-deductible individual donations, the annual Canberra Day Appeal (matched up to $2,500 by Hands Across Canberra), membership fees ($33/year full, $16.50 part-year), government grants via the Community Broadcasting Foundation, bequests, community rewards through the Canberra Southern Cross Club, and tailored sponsorship packages. Content is supplied through partnerships with The Canberra Times, The Daily Advertiser, Cosmos Magazine, Outback Magazine, and Griffith Review, with the station itself noting that government grants no longer fully cover operating costs.

Name

Radio 1RPH

Legal name

Print Handicapped Radio of the ACT

Website

https://radio1rph.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Radio 1RPH is a non-profit Australian community radio station that converts newspapers, magazines, and books into spoken-word audio for people with print disabilities, broadcasting across Canberra, Wagga Wagga, and Junee via AM, FM, streaming, podcasts, and DAB+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH), Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC), Podcast Transcription, Captioning & Accessibility Services (MPACADAK)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Radio reading service
• Print disability media
• Accessible audio content
• Volunteer radio station

Headquarters

HQ city

Gungahlin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible. The station conducts annual fundraising campaigns including the Canberra Day Appeal which has raised $10,000+ targets.
2. Sponsorship: Program sponsors and general sponsors support the station. Sponsors receive acknowledgment and branding exposure in exchange for financial or in-kind support. Multiple sponsors including Insight for Living Australia, First Church of Christ Scientist Canberra, Campbell Gospel Chapel, and Lutheran Media.
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: Full year (July to June) $33 including GST; Part year (January to June) $16.50 including GST. Members receive voting rights at AGM, access to volunteer training, newsletters, and social events.
4. Government Grants: Funding from government bodies including the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF). The station notes that government grants no longer fully cover operating costs, necessitating additional fundraising.
5. Bequests: Bequests and legacies from estates of supporters who wish to leave lasting contributions to the service. Gifts of residue or specific legacies help sustain operations beyond the benefactor's lifetime.
6. Community Rewards Programs: Partnership with Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards Program allows club members to nominate Radio 1RPH as a recipient of community rewards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Radio 1RPH is a community radio station that converts printed material (newspapers, magazines, books, and community newsletters) into spoken-word audio broadcasts for people with print disabilities, including those with vision impairment, literacy difficulties, or learning impairments. The service delivers content via AM/FM radio, DAB+ digital radio, online streaming, and on-demand podcasts across the Canberra, Wagga Wagga, and Junee regions of Australia. Operations are primarily volunteer-driven, with daily readings from major publications supplemented by overnight BBC World Service programming.

Product overview

Radio 1RPH is a community-based radio station providing a Radio Reading Service that turns print into sound for people with print disabilities. The core offering is live radio broadcasts across three regions: Canberra on 1125AM, Wagga Wagga on 89.5FM, and Junee on 99.5FM, featuring daily readings from major newspapers (Canberra Times, The Australian, Daily Advertiser), magazines (Cosmos, Outback, History Today, New Statesman), and books. The service also includes an on-demand Podcast Library available through Libsyn, featuring podcasts of The Canberra Times, Cosmos Magazine, Outback Magazine, and interview programs. Supplementary offerings include Digital Radio (DAB+) broadcasting, BBC World Service overnight programming, and specialized content for people with disability such as Vision Australia interviews and disability reform programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Radio Reading Service Core community radio service that turns print into sound by reading newspapers (Canberra Times, The Australian, Daily Advertiser), magazines, books, and community newsletters for people with print disabilities including vision impairment, literacy issues, or learning impairments. Broadcasts from 7:00am to late evening across Canberra (1125AM), Wagga Wagga (89.5FM), and Junee (99.5FM).
• Podcast Library On-demand podcast library featuring readings from The Canberra Times, Cosmos Magazine, Outback Magazine, and interview programs, available through Libsyn hosting for global on-demand access.
• Book Reading Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 49,000 weekly listeners in ACT region (McNair Research 2017)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Canberra Southern Cross ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough the Community Rewards Program, CSCC members can nominate Radio 1RPH as a recipient of community rewards, providing ongoing fundraising support and community visibility.
• The Canberra TimescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent partner providing daily newspaper readings for Radio 1RPH's primary broadcast service. The station reads from the major daily newspapers including the Canberra Times.
• The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal newspaper partner for Wagga Wagga and Junee broadcasts, providing content for Riverina listeners.
• Outback MagazinesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagazine partner providing free subscription and podcasting permission for the fortnightly Outback Magazine podcast.
• Cosmos MagazinesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience magazine partner providing free subscription and podcasting permission for weekly Cosmos Magazine podcast.
• Griffith ReviewsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiterary journal partner providing content for radio broadcast.
• Sarah Kentwell Graphic DesignsupportingTechnology or IntegrationVolunteer graphic designer and website builder who created and maintains the Radio 1RPH website.
• Dickson NewsagencysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal newsagency partner supporting community radio.
• CWA NSW Gungahlin BranchsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Women's Association branch supporting Radio 1RPH's mission.
• Insight for Living AustraliasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram sponsor providing Bible teachings and resources. Sponsors receive on-air acknowledgment.
• First Church of Christ Scientist CanberrasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram sponsor for religious content programming.
• Campbell Gospel ChapelsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram sponsor for religious content.
• Lutheran Media - Messages of HopesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram sponsor providing Messages of Hope content.
• Hands Across CanberracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization that runs the annual Canberra Day Appeal. Matches donations to Radio 1RPH up to $2,500, doubling donor impact. Helps charities with digital communication materials and fundraising campaigns.
• RPH AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body for the Radio Reading Network. RPH Australia supports and advocates for member stations and champions the rights of people to access printed material. The network reaches 70% of the Australian population.
• Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational representative body for community broadcasters. Radio 1RPH is a member of the CBAA.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 5RPH Adelaide (RPH Adelaide): Direct peer RPH network station delivering identical radio reading services to South Australia, with comparable volunteer-led operations and community broadcasting funding model.
• 4RPH (Print Handicapped Radio Queensland): Direct peer within the same RPH Australia network, providing the same radio reading service model for people with print disabilities in Brisbane and Queensland, operating under the same funding and governance framework.
• 3RPH Melbourne: Direct peer RPH station serving Melbourne with the same print-disability radio reading service model, member of the same RPH Australia peak body, sharing content partnerships and volunteer-driven operations.

Regional players

• RNIB Connect Radio: UK-based radio station operated by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, providing similar accessible radio reading and information services for vision-impaired audiences in a different geographic market.

Others

• Vision Australia: Leading Australian blindness and low-vision service provider that overlaps in target audience (people with print disabilities) and produces accessible content including audio, though as a service organisation rather than a radio broadcaster.
• Blind Citizens Australia: Australian peak advocacy body for blind and vision-impaired people; shares Radio 1RPH's target demographic and referral network, and is a potential partner or referrer for listeners and donors.
• Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA): National representative body for community broadcasters of which Radio 1RPH is a member; comparable in mission to support community radio sustainability and provides shared resources, training, and advocacy relevant to the station's operating model.

Broad incumbents

• ABC Radio National: Australia's national public spoken-word radio network covering news, current affairs, and reading-style programming; competes for the same accessible audio audience but at vastly greater scale and with general rather than print-disability focus.
• RPH Australia: National peak body for the Radio Reading Network that Radio 1RPH belongs to; coordinates advocacy and standards across member stations reaching 70% of the Australian population.
• BBC Radio 4: UK spoken-word broadcaster featuring readings, news, and accessibility services; Radio 1RPH relays BBC World Service overnight, indicating content overlap and shared spoken-word/information format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/radio1rph
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeDfyZZJuhJA-E788ufqkMQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/radio1rph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/radio1rph

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 1RPH