​Balamii starts subscription service to support radio station

Online radio station Balamii has launched a subscription service to support its future, starting at just £3 a month.

Launched in 2014 as an app, the South London station has remained free for listeners throughout the years but has faced recent hardships during the ongoing cost of living crisis, stripping back to a five-day output run solely by the station’s founder James Browning toward the end of 2022.

“[Balamii] has grown into a station that produces radio, events & video. To date we’ve produced over 10,000 radio programmes, platformed over 2500 artists and hosted over 75,000 event attendees,” the station noted in an Instagram post over the weekend.

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“We champion an inquisitive spirit and introduce our audience to great music delivered from passionate people IRL, not algorithms.”

Until now, Balamii claims to have relied on events, merchandise, and residents to stay afloat. “But now, for the first time in our history, we’re asking you, our listeners to help support and build a better Balamii,” the station urged.

Listeners are asked to subscribe monthly to “contribute to the future of Balamii” and help the station continue, starting at £3 a month. Funds will go toward the upkeep and continued run of shows.

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“You’ll help cover the cost of generating thousands of hours of great radio and support up-and-coming artists,” Balamii stated.

As thanks for subscribing, Balamii is offering 20% off of merchandise, and an exclusive heads-up on events before tickets are released to the public. “Our goals are to build a better Balamii for our family of artists and listeners, and to develop new features that improve our service.”

Find out more about Balamii’s subscription service here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter