AFTRS students launch final pop-up station of the year ‘NEXT’

Graduate Diploma of Radio students at AFTRS have kicked off their final pop-up broadcast of 2019 with a radio station called ‘NEXT’.

NEXT is airing on ARN’s iHeartRadio for the next two weeks and is the students’ last chance to get on air before their course wraps up.

It is aimed at a 25-29-year-old demo after students identified a viable gap in the Sydney market for a station playing music in a sweet spot between indie-pop and commercial.

The content on NEXT will focus on current affairs, pop-culture, news, environmental and social issues.

“NEXT is a unique station that combines pop culture and current affairs with an ultimate playlist,” said AFTRS head of radio Fyona Smith.

Content is curated to reflect modern Australia and includes a series of original podcasts”.

The station was built from the ground up by AFTRS students, who’ve also put together a website, audio and brand logos, as well as are running social media channels.

“It’s incredible to think how far we have all come since our first broadcast at the Sydney Royal Easter show in April,” says Brekky announce Dana Hamilton.

“NEXT is an original station that we are all so proud of. I really think we are ready for what’s next!”

Content director Renelle Mower adds; “I’m so proud of the team, it is amazing to see how multiskilled they’ve become and the high quality of work they’re producing.

NEXT is a real collaboration and the culmination of everything we’ve learned this year. It is a station that has a fresh take on music and youth-focused content.”

Over the course of the year, the students have worked with industry professionals including Kate, Tim & Marty EP Nic McClure, Star FM Central Coast MD Dave Evans, Kyle & Jackie O digital and video producer Mitchell Coombs, 2DayFM ops and announcer Nic Kelly, independent writer and producer Masako Fukui, and ABC MADE Madeline Joannou.

NEXT is also the Graduate students’ fourth pop-up of the year, with others including an Easter Show pop-up, their 2RS: The Ultimate 80s to Now station, and news/current affairs talkback station AFTRS FM.

The station is streamable on iheart.com