The Generator
Hamilton alt/rock radio station, 2001-2006.
History
After running UFM for three years on the 89.0FM frequency without much financial success, station owner Joe Dennehy decided to transform the eclectic, multi-genred playlist of UFM into one concentrating on commercial 'alternative rock', pitching the station as the thinking man's alternative to The Rock (a station Joe had worked for previously).
Enlisting the help of another former Rock associate Grant Hislop, over the course of 2001 the sound of the station shifted to reflect this new focus, culminating in September, when the station relaunched itself as The Generator. The original name pitched to the staff at the time was The Pig - which was unanimously derided.
Within a week of the launch party, almost half the staff were told they were being let go (continuing the cost-cutting measures that had begun the previous year, when almost all the staff were put on $80 a week - the maximum that could be earned whilst still recieving the dole). The number of paid staff continued to decline over the next few years, the station relying more and more on volunteers.
In 2003, the Waikato Students' Union Executive made it a priority to wrest control of the frequency, and return it to student use. With outside help, the exec made a point of monitoring what the Generator was broadcasting, and comparing it to the guidelines (set down by the government) surrounding what a student frequency was meant to be used for. Several breaches of the rules were found - including but not limited to excessive advertising, lack of student management/involvement/concerns, and inappropriate advertising (at the time, one of the major advertisers on the station was a 'massage parlour'). The WSU gave the Generator 30 days in which to comply with the guidelines, or their lease on the frequency would be considered void. After the time limit passed, the WSU president made the decision (on advice from lawyers) not to press ahead with reclaiming the frequency, despite the majority of the executive in favour of doing so.
On June 9th 2006, The Generator was closed by owner Wayne Henderson. The future of the 89FM frequency remains uncertain at this point, although if the company which operates as The Generator (Independent Radio Limited) goes into liquidation the licence will terminate and the frequency will most likely return to the original licensee, namely the Waikato Students' Union. Mr Henderson has been quoted as saying the station will continue to operate, despite the lack of staff and allegations that he has been failing to pay tax. It has continued as Backbeat.
