Charlotte Caruso at work.
Camera IconCharlotte Caruso at work. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Station makes waves

Sally McGlew, Kalamunda ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Ms Caruso took out the Special Inspiration Recognition category at the recent WA Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards (WAiTTA) for her start-up radio station Puggle FM.

The station’s focus is on providing age-appropriate content for parents who do not want small children to hear unsuitable lyrics.

‘We play Pink, just not all her songs,’ Ms Caruso said. ‘That might not be okay for small kids to hear.’

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Puggle FM has filled a major niche in the marketplace.

Although it has no radio licence, no broadcast signal, minimal overheads and no advertisements, the station has been a resounding success.

Puggle FM podcasts are only available via download at iTunes.

The station has already built up a following in the United States, Germany, Ukraine and the Netherlands.

‘We have experienced some of the highest numbers of downloads of any radio station,’ Ms Caruso said.

‘For a while there, we actually had the number one spot on iTunes.

‘People often download it and listen to it later in the car or at home if they have small children around.’

The WAiTTA awards honoured the exceptional contribution from West Australians in various sectors of cutting-edge technology, products and developments.

Following her success in the WA category, Ms Caruso will be off to Melbourne next month to represent the State in the national iAwards, which recognises the achievements of home-grown Australian innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals.