Kanal K: 25 years of alternative radio in the Mittelland
Kanal K, the alternative participatory radio station in Aarau, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday with a grand party. Over the past quarter-century, Kanal K has evolved from a political station to a youth station. Among regional radio and television stations, it is regarded as a talent incubator.
The founding of IG Regionalradio was celebrated on May 5, 1987, and a year later the first non-commercial radio waves were broadcast across Aargau. Radio Alora went on air for six weeks of test operation in 1988. There was great euphoria at the time. It was mainly left-wing alternative and trade union-minded presenters and people close to the regional church who sat in front of the microphone. They saw alternative radio as a political medium.
The makers of Alora finally applied for one of the two free licenses that the federal government had put out to tender for Aargau. As there was only one frequency, it had to be split: Radio Argovia received the frequency, and the Alora radio makers went on air four hours a week under the Aargau regional radio station.
Kanal K broadcasts in Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian - a total of 30 foreign languages can be heard on the station every week. Immigrants report on their home countries. During the war in Yugoslavia, refugees from all groups involved reported from their home countries on the same station. The multilingualism is also supported by the Aargau Board of Trustees and contributions from broadcasting fees. Last but not least, however, Kanal K lives from membership fees and patrons. It also supports the "stage-on-air" employment program, which gives around 20 unemployed people the opportunity to work in radio for six months.
From political to youth radio
Today, 250 freelance broadcasters make up the Kanal K program. Only seven people are permanently employed (350 full-time equivalents). Kanal K also trains trainees, who often make the leap to Radio Argovia, Radio 32 or Tele M1. The AZ Media Group rewards this with an annual training contribution. The relationship with alternative radio is now relaxed.
From its political beginnings, the Aargau alternative radio station has largely transformed itself into a youth and music radio station. Only songs that are no more than two years old are played. Regional and Swiss music make up a fifth of the program.
Music was also the focus of the anniversary party. On Saturday, Urban Junior and (K)nights of Trash and My Heart Belongs To Cecilia Winter played at Kiff in Aargau. Naturally, Radio Kanal K set up a studio on site and reported live. (sda)
