JOY BLOG

31 Jan 2026

Welcome to JOY Season One 2026

JOY 94.9 is excited to announce our Season One 2026 schedule, running from Monday, 2 February 2026 until Sunday, 5 July 2026.

With new programs premiering, your favourites returning, and a brand new JOY 94.9 app on the Apple App Store and Google Play, JOY 94.9 will connect you more deeply with community than ever.

Download the printable JOY 94.9 Season One 2026 Program Guide here.

Premiering in Season One 2026

Early Birds
7:00am Saturday

Shake off the week with Steve and Alana on Early Birds, the only way to kickstart your Saturday morning on JOY 94.9. We’re delivering a zero-fluff, no-nonsense zone packed with the essential tracks that wake you up and the honest conversation that keeps you tuned in. Your weekend officially starts here – straight talk, great music, and absolutely no filler.

Now Boarding
12:00pm Saturday

Now Boarding is your weekly journey into the world of LGBTIQA+ friendly travel.
Each episode dives into a fresh theme — from romantic getaways and Pride festivals around the globe to solo adventures, queer history tours, and budget-savvy trips.
Join us for practical travel tips, insider advice, and personal stories to make your journeys safer, smoother, and more unforgettable.
Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or planning your first queer-friendly escape, Now Boarding offers inspiration, laughs, and guidance for every traveller. Tune in and wander with confidence, curiosity, and pride.

Queerfully Made
10:00pm Tuesday

Queerfully Made tackles faith, gender, sexuality, and the intersection of them all. Ex-evangelical leaders Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson, once church insiders, host raw stories from LGBTQ+ Christians, ex-Christians, pastors, ex-pastors and sharp experts. Closeted and scared? Healing from church wounds? An ally ready to stand up but needing insight? We’re here to unpack identity, reforge spirituality, and build a fierce, inclusive community.

Wellness Wednesdays
8:00pm Wednesdays

JOY programs Knowing Me, Knowing You and Talk Therapy To Me will be part of the new Wellness Wednesdays programming block, airing new episodes on alternate weeks.

On Talk Therapy To Me, queer therapists Ashley (she/her) and Maxi (he/they) dive deep into the real stuff, unpacking the mess and the magic of mental health, exploring all kinds of queer relationships and intimacy, and tackling your burning questions in Ask a Queer Therapist.

On Knowing Me, Knowing You, join therapist, friend, and all-around queer guy Trent McWhinney on a new journey of personal discovery. Get to know him, and yourself, as he dives into topics on mental health and self-development in conversation with professionals, experts, and those with lived experience.

Returning in Season One 2026

A bunch of your favourite programs are returning from summer break, and one returns after six years away!

Local Roots
8:00pm Fridays
Dig in to local music

(photo of Beks at JOY Rainbow Sessions by Betty Sujecki)

Game On!
6:00pm Wednesdays
The world of inclusive sport

The I In Us
6:00pm Thursdays
The authentic voices of the intersex community

Backstage Confidential
7:00pm Thursdays
Performers take you behind the scenes of their lives

Living Life Single
4:00pm Saturdays
Celebrate the best of Aussie music

Miss Chatelaine
9:00am Sundays
Celebrate the best of Aussie music

Still Here, Still Queer
6:00pm Sundays
Celebrate the best of Aussie music

The Cabaret Room
9:00pm Sundays
Celebrate the best of Aussie music

Thank yous and farewells

Verbena Radio brought the heat this summer, and we loved being introduced to Latin American culture, people, celebrations, and language. We haven’t heard the last of the Verbena team, though; the Verbena Party is on the way!

For One Night Only is lying low and recharging after another fabulous season. Can we convince Pete Holmes to bring it back next Summer? Time will tell!

Robbie Molinari’s Turn The Beat Around has become an absolute staple of JOY’s music broadcasting. However, with Robbie taking some much-needed time away, we say a sombre goodbye for now.

Hearing a youth perspective from presenter Jack on a Saturday has been incredibly valuable during his program, Generation Speak. Whilst we won’t be hearing from Jack during Season One, it feels like we haven’t heard the last of this superstar just yet.

Connecting with Midsumma to broadcast their PrideFinder podcast has proven to be an absolute delight as we learn more about regionally living queer people and their stories. We hope we’re able to do more of this for future seasons! If you missed it, the full podcast series is available online.

And last but certainly not least, Friends of Dorothy have brought something new and special to JOY over the last two seasons, whether it’s thoughtful music selection or wild and at times touching radio sitcoms. We’re wishing the Friends of Dorothy team all the best for future endeavours!

JOY Season One 2026 kicks off Monday, 2 February 2026 and runs until Sunday, 5 July 2026.

Tune in via JOY 94.9FM, DAB+, stream online anywhere in the world. or download the brand new JOY 94.9 app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About JOY 94.9

JOY 94.9 is Australia’s only LGBTQIA+ community radio station, broadcasting from Melbourne and streaming worldwide. For 32 years, JOY has been a beacon for queer voices, stories, and music.