Who we are
radio x
radio x is a noncommercial radio station in the city of Frankfurt am Main. More than 1000 citizens composed of about 80 groups from Frankfurt, Offenbach and surrounding areas create advertisement-free non-commercial radio for their region. All the editors work on a volunteer basis.
The main non-profit organization Radio-X-Mix e.V. works a bit differently than local "open/public" channels; being not only legally responsible for programming (content and form), but also financially (technical operations/equipment) responsible.
We have been broadcasting daily, 24 hours a day since September 22nd, 1997. Our broadcasts reach over 1 million households in the region. The average amount of weekly listeners amounting to around 85000 people.
radio x can be received in the region of Frankfurt/Main under 91.8 MHz UKW (antenna) or under 99.85 MHz UKW (cable). We are also able to heard outside the Frankfurt area through live streaming from the internet.
Our goals are:
Where we come from
Our history
Many listeners in Frankfurt and the surrounding areas know radio x from our broadcasting efforts in May 1996 and March 1997, some even form our first experiments in 1987/1988. radio x has been on air since the 22nd of September 1997; more than a decade after initial efforts to create a city-radio station for Frankfurt and Offenbach.
It all started in 1986 when several artists came together and formed a “radio x” group. During the “Documenta” (an international exhibition of modern art in Kassel Germany) the group made it’s on-air debut airing for a duration of four weeks.
The broadcasters stood under the patronage of the Hessischen Rundfunk/HR (the public broadcasting service from the German state of Hesse). A year later radio x was on air again, broadcasting live from the Frankfurt bookfair and once again in 1988 broadcasting for 10 days from the “Städelschule” (a renowned Frankfurt arts school).
Not until 9 years later did Radio X-Mix e.V. receive from the “Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk”/LPR (the German governmental institution for private broadcasting) in the German state of Hesse, the license and frequency to start airing as a Frankfurt local radio station.
LPR speaking with the “Frankfurter Rundschau” (a major Frankfurt newspaper) on April 16th 1997:
“Decisive for the licensing was the structure and especially the cultural programming; both factors promise an effective publicizing supplementation- in political as well as cultural reporting- for the present Frankfurt radio landscape.”
Jan & Namé, RadioXperience 1997
What we offer
Program Contents
Our program editors, groups and authors cover almost every area of interest for our multicultural influenced listeners. Our program makers grasp at exactly those topics that don’t receive any attention from the other media. By doing so, we are contributing substantially to the variety of opinions in the region.
Amongst other things our programming includes:
What else we offer
Media Competence
radio x doesn't just offer citizens of the region a public forum in the medium of radio, but also imparts a considerable amount of media competence. We go way over the standard rules - as defined by the LPR, in our mission to impart media competence.
In narration, engineering, law and editing seminars, our program makers learn to turn their programs into professional contributions.
From temporary to permanent children’s and youths projects (for example: Bootleg the student program from the Helmholtzschool, or Cobra - Children’s broadcasting), we offer even real young residents a platform for their media work.
In our weekday "Hörerfenster" (also known as “listener's window“), we offer beginners an easy way to get started. With the "Hörerfenster" we unburocratically provide a program slot for any interested resident - with an individual introduction to law and engineering - who wants the possibility to broadcast their program.
Seminars offer the foundation for future program makers. Only after practicing with your self-created program, does the theoretical knowledge deepen. This is where a "live" broadcasting station differs immensely as compared to the usual educational offers. With radio x, citizens do not just learn how to "speak" in theory and construed situations but experience journalistic work and the association with this medium in its complete bandwidth: from choosing program themes, to researching, to implementation of their knowledge, up to the reaction of the listeners, as well as the effect of their work in the public.
For many of our members, the work at radio x has been the start of a career in the media industry, whether in the print media, television, or at other broadcasting stations. Also artists such as the comedy duo Mundstuhl, took their first steps at radio x. We are not only a "stepping stone", but also through our regular internships and our cooperation with the Werkstatt Frankfurt, offer an important position in vocational and extended vocational training.
Why we are important
The significance of radio x for the area of Frankfurt
Over the years, radio x has developed into an important building block for the cultural network of the region. We are not only a part of the local culture, but also it's promoter. Through editorial reports we give cultural groups, concert organizers, publishing companies, bands and small record labels the possibility of introducing themselves, a project, or an event to the public.
- We work together with the cultural institutes from Frankfurt and the surrounding areas.
This includes among other things:
School for fashion & graphic design, Museumsuferfest 2007
- We are publicly present through our regular events
Some of the places and events that we can be seen and heard at:
Why we need your support
Our financial basis
radio x finances itself exclusively from donations and membership fees as well as public funds.
- Why it’s this way
By law, city radio stations in the state of Hesse can only be run as noncommercial local broadcasting (NKL). Therefore advertisement and sponsoring fall to the wayside as a financial source. This is basically good for radio x, since our independence from advertisement and sponsorship contracts, guarantees us a free choice of topics and opinions in our programming.
- The cost of programming and where the money comes from
The Hessische Landesanstalt (the German state of Hesse governmental institution) for private broadcasting takes over a part of the accrued costs. But, a significant part of the running costs must be paid by the nonprofit association Radio X-Mix e.V., through membership fees and donations.
Yearly budget 2006
- Earnings
66.500,-Euro direct funding provided through the LPR
approximately 4.000,-Euro for replacement purchases, media competence, financed by the LPR
approximately 10.000,-Euro membership fees
approximately 4,.000,-Euro donations
approximately 12.000,-Euro proceeds from events and advertisement in the monthly program pamphlet
approximately 96.500,-Euro yearly total budget
- Spending
30.000,-Euro office rent
approximately 10.000,-Euro operations costs
30.000,-Euro salaries (for management, technical engineers, cleaning personal)
approximately 5.000,-Euro for average upkeep and replacement of equipment
approximately 19.500,-Euro printing costs for monthly program-pamphlet
approximately 2.000,-Euro for seminars, interns, promoting media competence
approximately 96.500,-Euro yearly total expenses
In comparison we cost the payers of radio and television fees (it is mandatory that German residents pay quarterly fees for public television and radio broadcasting) very little. Measured with the 66.500,-Euro funding, that we receive from broadcasting fees, and the supposed 750,000 people in the Frankfurt area that pay those fees, we receive just 9 cents a year from every person.
How you can broadcast with us
The possibilities for participating
radio x is not an “open channel”. We must be different than the open channels. We must also take legal and financial responsibility for all programs. That’s why one can’t just book “airtime” with us. Nevertheless radio x also isn’t a “closed” channel either.
The Harald Biehl & Max Schumacher-Show, live at the Atelier '07
There are several different ways to take part in the programming of radio x for those who are interested.
- The Hörerfenster
For those who want to just broadcast, once, or just every so often, can do this in a simplified process during the week, between 1300-1400 in our openly scheduled “Hörerfenster”.
- Single contributions
For those who don’t want to create a whole program, but wish to produce a report, or play music for example, you may participate in the already existing editorial groups and magazine programs. Also, one can form with others a new editorial group or magazine.
- Your own regular program
Every group, or person can apply for their own program. In order to realize one’s own plans, wishes, capabilities, and capacities, it is necessary to do several shows during the Hörenfenster hour. Moreover, at least one member of the group has to participate in the courses offered by radio x, in order to qualify to receive broadcasting responsibility. When the group/person has experienced a couple of shows under the Hörenfenster, and realizes what and how much she/he can produce, then she/he can apply with their program concept to the program commission for a regular program slot.
Other things of importance
About Us / organizational structure
radio x is produced in Frankfurt. The station and office is located under this address:
radio x / Radio X-Mix e.V.
Schützenstraße 12
60311 Frankfurt
Our office is open during the weekdays between 10.00-17.00 hours. We are able to be contacted by phone under (+49) 069 - 2997.1220.
Our editorial department can be reached
by phone under (+49) 069 - 2997.1222
or by fax under (+49) 069 - 2997.1223.
The groups and entities:
- The main non-profit organization: Radio X-Mix e.V.
radio x is run by the main non-profit (Radio X-Mix e.V.). It is the owner of the broadcasting license and legal representative of the station. The main non-profit is responsible for the abidance of the statutory provisions, as well as other guidelines (for example the non-profit statutes from the LPR).
- The board of directors
The main non-profit organization is represented by the board of directors. The board of directors consists of three persons voted in by the members.
- The management
The management is commissioned through the board of directors to do the day-to-day business. The manager, Katja Weißenberger, is the only permanent employee for radio x.
- The program commission
The program commission coordinates the airtimes of the participants according to the program principles (diversity of opinion, local references, etc.). It pays attention to continuity and quality in the programs, and especially encourages the development of new listenening formats. The program commission is voted in by the broadcasting collective.
- The broadcasting collective
The broadcasting collective is made up from the groups, and persons that currently create the regularly scheduled programs.
Translation:
Lynn & Cue Pate
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