Magic 999
Encyclopedia
Magic 999 is an Bauer Radio-owned local radio station serving Lancashire on 999 kHz AM
, DAB digital radio, Virgin Media TV channel 932 and online. The station broadcasts from a converted church at St. Pauls Square in Preston and shares facilities with 97.4 Rock FM
.
All other programming originates from Magic's northern network studios in Newcastle upon Tyne and occasionally, Manchester.
by Barbra Streisand
. Other early presenters on the station included Dave Lincoln, Allan Beswick, Sally Moon and Derek Webster. At this point it was owned by Trans World Communications
.
On 1 June 1990, Red Rose Radio
split into two stations - the FM service became Red Rose Rock FM (now known as 97.4 Rock FM
, while the AM service became Red Rose Gold playing music from the 1960s to the 1980s, as well as airing other specialist shows.
In 1994, Red Rose Gold and Red Rose Rock FM were bought by the Emap
group. Towards the mid to late 1990s, Red Rose Gold became Red Rose 999, before morphing into Magic 999 to fall in line with all other Emap-owned AM stations which had all been renamed Magic.
Networking at the station was introduced in late 2001 when mid-morning, evening and overnight shows from Magic 105.4 in London begun simulcasting. Towards the end of 2002, listeners were told to contact a special hotline to voice their views about what they think of the station. Around the same time, forthcoming changes to the station were announced such as new programming, a broader music policy and introducing dedicated newsreaders (rather than the local presenters having to be newsreaders, as was the case for a few months). These changes came into effect on Monday 6 January 2003. More locally-produced programming was introduced although output from Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool continued to feature in the station's schedule. The current networking arrangements were introduced in July 2006.
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
, DAB digital radio, Virgin Media TV channel 932 and online. The station broadcasts from a converted church at St. Pauls Square in Preston and shares facilities with 97.4 Rock FM
97.4 Rock FM
97.4 Rock FM is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Lancashire, North West England and some parts of North Wales. Its output is mainly contemporary pop and current chart hits. The station is owned & operated by Bauer Radio and forms part of Bauer's Place Network of stations...
.
Programming
Magic 999's local programming output consists of a daily four-hour breakfast show, hourly news bulletins, travel updates at breakfast & drivetime and commercials.All other programming originates from Magic's northern network studios in Newcastle upon Tyne and occasionally, Manchester.
Presenters
- Richard Allen (Weekday evenings)
- Norman Archer (Monday - Thursday nights)
- Vicki Archer (Friday - Sunday nights)
- Dominic Walker (Weekend breakfast)
- Dave Campbell (Weekday drivetime, Saturday afternoons)
- Steve Colman (60s Magic)
- Dave Lee-Travis (Weekend mornings)
- Keith Martin (Weekday Overnights and Saturday evenings)
- Darren Spence (Weekday Breakfast)
- Nick Wright (Weekday mornings, 70s Magic)
History
Magic 999 launched as Red Rose Radio on 5 October 1982 at 6:00am on 301 metres medium wave (999 kHz) and 97.3 VHF stereo. The station's first presenter on air was Dave Lincoln - the first record played was EvergreenEvergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
"Evergreen " is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. It was composed and performed by Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams. The song was released on the soundtrack album to A Star Is Born....
by Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
. Other early presenters on the station included Dave Lincoln, Allan Beswick, Sally Moon and Derek Webster. At this point it was owned by Trans World Communications
Trans World Communications
Trans World Communications was the investment vehicle businessman Owen Oyston. It operated radio stations and played a part in the Miss World Beauty Pageant.-About:...
.
On 1 June 1990, Red Rose Radio
Red Rose Radio
Red Rose Radio is the former name of two radio stations in Lancashire, England. Both are owned by the same company, although they now have different names:* 97.4 Rock FM, "contemporary" format, station has also been named Red Rose Rock FM...
split into two stations - the FM service became Red Rose Rock FM (now known as 97.4 Rock FM
97.4 Rock FM
97.4 Rock FM is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Lancashire, North West England and some parts of North Wales. Its output is mainly contemporary pop and current chart hits. The station is owned & operated by Bauer Radio and forms part of Bauer's Place Network of stations...
, while the AM service became Red Rose Gold playing music from the 1960s to the 1980s, as well as airing other specialist shows.
In 1994, Red Rose Gold and Red Rose Rock FM were bought by the Emap
EMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
group. Towards the mid to late 1990s, Red Rose Gold became Red Rose 999, before morphing into Magic 999 to fall in line with all other Emap-owned AM stations which had all been renamed Magic.
Networking at the station was introduced in late 2001 when mid-morning, evening and overnight shows from Magic 105.4 in London begun simulcasting. Towards the end of 2002, listeners were told to contact a special hotline to voice their views about what they think of the station. Around the same time, forthcoming changes to the station were announced such as new programming, a broader music policy and introducing dedicated newsreaders (rather than the local presenters having to be newsreaders, as was the case for a few months). These changes came into effect on Monday 6 January 2003. More locally-produced programming was introduced although output from Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool continued to feature in the station's schedule. The current networking arrangements were introduced in July 2006.