New ‘Radio 2-style’ station for Plymouth
A new ‘Radio 2-style’ radio station will be on the air in
Plymouth within the next two years.
Ofcom today said the new FM local commercial radio
licence would go to Radio Plymouth.
The station saw off the challenge of Pirate FM and Ofcom
said it must be on air within 24 months.
But bosses today said Radio Plymouth could be
broadcasting earlier, possibly even in a year’s
time, pumping out a Radio 2-style of content.
Radio Plymouth intends to use ‘presenters rather than
DJs’ and aim at an older audience than Plymouth
Sound’s.
A delighted David Rodgers, chairman of Radio
Plymouth Ltd, said: “It’s great news, the champagne
is about to come out.”
Plymouth Radio Ltd was one of four local stations that
lost out to rock-oriented Diamond FM, which was
London-based and backed by Australian cash, in
March 2006.
A huge campaign was mounted and angry business leaders
even wrote to culture secretary Tessa Jowell asking
her to overturn a decision.
Ofcom didn’t change its mind, but two years later
businessmen behind Diamond FM pulled out, without
having broadcast, and asked for the licence to be
re-advertised.
By the closing date of April 30, this year, Pirate and
Hoe-based Radio Plymouth were going head to
head.
Mr Rodgers said there had been ‘a lot of heart searching
in the current economic climate’ before the
decision was taken to bid again.
But he stressed his group had been the first to show
interest, as long as five years ago, and added: “We
believed in the concept.”
The group is now looking at several sites in Plymouth
where the station will be based.
“We will call a board meeting next week and get the
ball rolling,” said Mr Rodgers, who offered his
commiserations to Pirate FM and the original bidders.
Radio Plymouth is 65 per cent owned by the London
Media Company, with the remaining shares held by
individuals.
Ofcom said it will provide ‘a locally-focused
station specifically for Plymouth, with a full service of
news and local information, entertaining speech, features
and conversation and a wide variety of music from
today and the previous four decades’.
Ofcom will shortly publish a statement setting out the
key determining factors for the award of the
licence, which is issued for a 12-year period.
Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority
for the UK communications industries, with
responsibilities across television, radio,
telecommunications and wireless communications services.
17 Comments
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by Mr P, Plymouth
Thursday, July 24 2008, 9:29AM
“Thanks Suzannah, I'm glad we understand eachother.”
by Dave Mason, Bath
Thursday, July 24 2008, 6:20AM
“I'd like to pass on my congratulations to the team at Radio Plymouth for sticking it out and rightly getting the franchise. If Ofcom hadn't bumbled around in the first place, listeners would have a station by now, demonstrating that good quality music and speech radio doesn't have to be the exclusive to BBC Radio.
For the concerned Mr Taylor below, I don't think you'll be disappointed in a station headed by one of the region's most experienced and successful radio / tv broadcasters - ie David Rodgers. His programming flair & business acumen made the Orchard Media group the last bastion of proper local radio before it was sold to GWR and homogenised. For once, you will have a truly local station worthy of its licence. Fear not - you are in good hands!”
by Sukie, Mannamead
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 9:56PM
“And a packet of custard creams too. Thanks.”
by Nev, Whitechapel
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 9:55PM
“I still prefer Radio Caroline and Radio London.”
by Sukie, Mannamead
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 9:54PM
“Miss_A - If you happen to read this, could you get a pint a milk (semi) on the way home. I will pay you tomorrow.”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 9:38PM
“Classic Mr P - you crack me up.”
by James Taylor, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 8:30PM
“Before we all get too excited, one may like to take a trip up to Exeter and listen in to Exeter FM the slightly older sibling of Radio Plymouth.
With the greatest respect for those who give up their time for nothing , it sounded like Hospital Radio. I wasn't suprised to see that most of the presenters were either from HR or Gemini FM has beens. Lets not forget to host a talk show or to talk for even one minute takes skill , I think we're going to be very disappointed. On the plus side , it will mean that radio will be a lot easier to get into.”
by derekthe post, plymouth
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 12:11PM
“Brilliant news for us all down here to have our local feel back.
Yes David Bassett was great and Louise but the music was better as well, ok I must be getting older but we were happier then, plus everyone talked about the presenters and their shows - argued a little as well, DB did that for usbefore that we were a broadcasting backwater DOWN YER !!!”
by Mr P, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 11:46AM
“Judging by some of the comments on this website, Ken, I imagine that phone-ins of the like you describe were dropped from the schedule because of the extreme right wing views of the people who called in. Radio stations broadcasting 'live' phone-ins usually have a delay of a few seconds in order to bleep out any expletives but when the callers entire diatribe is about public birching of litter louts they can't broadcast any of it. Dead air, as anyone in the radio biz knows, is a crime.”
by Steve, Plymstock
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 11:35AM
“Wow! Three radio stations for one city. Plymouth Sound, Cross Rhythms and now this one... I will have to get a new car radio to deal with all these!”