3RRR

It has been suggested that Local and/or General (radio program) be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2024.

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3RRR^[2] (pronounced "Three Triple R", or simply "Triple R") is an Australian community radio station, based in Melbourne.

3RRR first commenced broadcasting in 1976 from the studios of 3ST, the student radio station of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (now RMIT University), on an educational licence with the name 3RMT. In 1979 it relocated to Fitzroy, and adopted its present name. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, it became synonymous with the post punk and new wave subcultures. In late 2004, supporters raised enough money for the station to purchase and move into new premises on the corner of Blyth and Nicholson Streets in Brunswick East after the 20-year lease on their previous studios, in Victoria Street, Fitzroy, expired.

3RRR's mission statement was defined in 1990 as "To educate, inform and entertain by drawing upon appropriate community resources. To develop a critical approach to contemporary culture." Triple R's programming is split roughly 70% specialist music and 30% talk-based shows. Hosts have creative control over content and the station does not have playlists. As such, the nature of 3RRR broadcasts varies wildly depending on the time of the week. As 3RRR states, "With the exception of [the] Breakfasters, all of Triple R’s programs are presented by volunteers" who present their shows for no remuneration.^[3] A select few volunteer presenters are also in paid work at the station in operational roles.

3RRR's operations are funded entirely by community sponsorships and public subscribers (currently around 15,000), which, by removing standard commercial pressures, allows for this diverse programming. The estimated current listenership is 440,000 per week.^[4] Due to the reaction from subscribers, in the late 1990s 3RRR cancelled sponsorship deals signed with the Ford and music venue The Mercury Lounge (due to its location in Melbourne's Crown Casino). No such "corporate" sponsorship of this type has been considered since.

In 2009, 3RRR opened its performance space for live music, live comedy and literary events among others.^[3] In 2016, 3RRR was inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame.^[5]