East Coast radio is attempting a world first, broadcasting live radio from the sky!
KwaZulu-Natal radio station East Coast Radio will attempt the world’s first live radio broadcast on Tuesday 19 March at an altitude of 37 000 feet. Breakfast Stack presenter Darren Maule will host a portion of his show on board a Mango aircraft en route to Cape Town on Tuesday 19 March at around 8:10am. This world-first is sponsored by Cadbury and will utilise Mango’s G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi service, turning an aircraft into an inter-city studio.
“This is a phenomenal challenge,” says Mango spokesperson Hein Kaiser. “Imagine hosting a radio programme at almost 900 kilometres per hour, three quarters the speed of sound, at an altitude of over 11 kilometres. It has never been done before.”
He says that take up of the G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi service continues to soar, too, with an 8% usage rate exceeding global averages lingering at 6%. Mango is one of approximately 14 airlines globally to offer this service.
East Coast Radio Programming Manager Naveen Singh says that the broadcast will take place shortly after take-off. “Testing in a simulated environment is currently taking place in order to integrate various systems and software, also trouble shooting any possible glitches,” says Singh.
“Getting Darren’s voice from an aircraft to a listener’s radio has to be seamless with less than a second’s delay. This is an incredible feat and should we succeed, it will be one for the record books.”
Radio frequencies travel at 0.5 seconds with an added estimate of a 0.25 second delay between aircraft and studio.
“Bandwidth will be amped up for the broadcast,” says G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi and Wireless G CEO Carel van der Merwe. “Wireless G will make a specific adjustment to allow broadcast on standard voice over internet protocol since it is not available as a standard Guest service. The technology used is some of the most current and world-best with no in-situ challenges expected.”
He says that while the service is in still in beta-phase, Mango Guests have successfully used products such as messenger services like Whatsapp and BBM; social networks like Facebook and Linkedin; Internet browsing and e-mail communication from on-board.
Bryony McComb, Kraft Foods Brand Manager: Cadbury Dairy Milk says that the brand is delighted to be participating in this world-first attempt. “With our ‘Let the Joy Find You’ competition currently running across stores and offering R500 000 in prizes, we’re incredibly excited to be spreading the Joy of Cadbury Dairy Milk even further with Mango and East Coast Radio at 37 000 feet. There will be lots of surprises from SA’s best-loved chocolate brand on board this special flight.” she says.
Cadbury Dairy Milk have also purchased Wi-Fi connectivity for all Mango Guests on the flight to enjoy after the broadcast, and help spread the word via their social media networks. Each traveller will receive a commemorative Cadbury Dairy Milk slab along with the chance to win exciting big ticket prizes.
“It gives the term on-air an entirely new meaning,” says Kaiser.
The East Coast Radio broadcast will take place at approximately 08:10 on Tuesday 19 March on Mango flight JE 331 departing Durban to Cape Town at 07:45.