This June, The Sandton Times Hour marked a major milestone as it celebrated its 200th release, affirming its place as one of South Africa’s most consistent and engaging weekly FM radio shows and podcasts.
- Since its inception during the first week of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, the show has grown into a dynamic media platform with global reach and local heart.
- 200 shows in, and The Sandton Times Hour remains the only digital audio platform to give Sandton a voice – and a personality.
- Fittingly, the 200th episode aired on Youth Day, a nod to the show’s fresh energy and the young, curious audience it continues to attract.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
Broadcast every Monday evening from 7pm to 8pm on 91.9 FM, and available across multiple podcast platforms, The Sandton Times Hour has become synonymous with vibrant conversation, local flavour, and global relevance. As the only radio show and podcast dedicated to Africa’s richest square mile, the Sandton-based programme offers listeners a curated mix of news, views, entertainment, luxury, lifestyle, travel, motoring, and food – straight from the pages of The Sandton Times website.
It’s the milestone edition of 200 shows. When The Sandton Times Hour first hit the airwaves, and also the streaming platforms, it started as a passion project during lockdown…and here we are, 200 shows later, with a community and an archive of interviews that have made every minute worth it.
// Host and Producer of The Sandton Times Hour, Alexander Leibner
And what a journey it has been. With a unique blend of magazine-style features and long-form interviews, the show has welcomed an impressive roster of guests including Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s Claudius Steinhoff, theatre star Jonathan Roxmouth, Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner, South African politician Helen Zille, comedian Robby Collins, and Tourism Seychelles’ Sherin Francis – and that’s just this year! It’s this mix of heavyweight business leaders, entertainers, and thought-provoking taste-makers that has kept audiences coming back week after week.
In 2024, The Sandton Times Hour was named among Feedspot’s “30 Best South Africa Podcasts,” and it was also nominated for ‘Podcast of the Year’ at the African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), underscoring its impact well beyond Johannesburg’s high-rises. The show continues to grow, proving that passion, consistency, and meaningful content still hold power in today’s crowded media landscape, all without a cent of external funding.
The show’s success also lies in its ability to cross between traditional FM radio and digital platforms effortlessly. In a rare and effective media crossover, The Sandton Times Hour reaches its audience not only on-air but via podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Afropods, Podcast Party, and Jollof Radio. Locally, it’s accessible through 919’s web stream and African Media Entertainment’s suite of stations including Simply Smooth, Simply RnB, and Simply Gospel on the LiSTN mobile app, expanding access to an even broader audience.
According to Spotify analytics, the show has a slightly higher female listenership, with majority of its audience aged between 23 and 44. While most listeners are based in South Africa, The Sandton Times Hour also boasts a solid international following, particularly in Nigeria, the United States, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and Canada. The show’s embedded Spotify widget on The Sandton Times website remains the most popular way for audiences to tune in while browsing content online.
Behind the mic, host Alexander Leibner’s wealth of media experience – spanning over 25 years – continues to anchor the show. As a respected media personality, keynote speaker, MC, and the founder and managing editor of The Sandton Times, his on-air presence combines professionalism with warmth, always with an eye on what makes Sandton and South Africa such compelling places to live, work, and explore.
In his 200th episode address, Alexander extended heartfelt thanks to the many guests, team members, listeners, and family and friends who have supported the journey.
To the team behind the scenes, your commitment, creativity, and caffeine-fueled days and nights are the unsung symphony that keep this show going. And of course, you listening – whether you’ve been with us from the first episode or just discovered us last week – thank you.
// Host and Producer of The Sandton Times Hour, Alexander Leibner
As for what’s next? More of what listeners love. And always with the pulse of Sandton at its core. With growing recognition and a loyal listenership, it’s only a matter of time before the microphones get shinier, the guest list gets glitzier, and a few Sandton suits finally realise they’ve been missing the smartest brand partnership on the block.
For those yet to tune in, now’s the time to subscribe, stream, and join the community that’s fuelled one of South Africa’s standout weekly shows. Whether you’re in Sandton, Sydney, or Seattle, The Sandton Times Hour invites you to stay curious, stay connected, and stay listening. Here’s to the next 200 shows!
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The Sandton Times Hour is released every week, on these major Podcast platforms and on The Sandton Times Homepage:
Take a moment to subscribe, share and review or rate The Sandton Times Hour on your favourite podcast platform. Also, catch The Sandton Times Hour every Monday, on 91.9 FM from 7pm to 8pm in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Cover Image Credit: Mankis Studios
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