Swindon FM
Encyclopedia
Swindon FM was a Local DAB
radio station broadcasting to Swindon
between 2003 and 2006, previously it broadcast as Swindon 107FM for two trial broadcasts in 2001 and 2002.
(RSL) transmission from a studio at Swindon's Brunel Plaza shopping complex in September 2001. The station was founded by former Swindon Town
chairman Rikki Hunt and jazz musician Ray Butt, who felt a need for new station in the area which GWR FM
had for many years been the only commercial station, along with BBC Radio Wiltshire Sound (now BBC Wiltshire
). Their target audience was between 25–55 years and played popular artists from the 1950s to the present day that catered for their audience, including local artists with specialist music shows which the area had been lacking as well as a local news service.
Another RSL transmission was broadcast in June and July 2002, focusing more on local talent to present the station's programming.
-only station - the first local station of its kind in the United Kingdom. Swindon FM broadcast originally on Saturdays & Sundays between 6am and 10pm before expanding to a full seven days-a-week service later in the year - an event marked by a weekend-long countdown of one hundred songs voted for by the public. Other feature programming on the station included The What's On Guide and The Winning Weekend.
The launch of a DAB station (by now, run completely by volunteers) also marked a change in Swindon FM's target audience to 35 years and over, concentrating on the older range of the scale. In late 2004, presenter James Patterson attempted his second record breaking attempt for The Longest Radio Show in History - only to be informed that he had failed on the first night due to an electricity failure.
In 2005 the group applied for the Local Radio licence, however Ofcom decided in favour of another group, Now FM later renamed to Brunel FM
owned by The Local Radio Company
.
for a local FM licence but lost out to another group, Now FM (now known as Brunel FM
and owned by The Local Radio Company
).
At 2pm on Friday 12 May 2006, the station ceased transmission after running into difficulties with its premises, leaving Swindon FM homeless. At the end of the year, the team behind Swindon FM applied for a Community Radio licence but lost out to Swindon 105.5
.
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
radio station broadcasting to Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
between 2003 and 2006, previously it broadcast as Swindon 107FM for two trial broadcasts in 2001 and 2002.
RSL broadcasts
Swindon 107FM (which the station was originally named) broadcast its first Restricted Service LicenceRestricted Service Licence
A UK Restricted Service Licence , is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event...
(RSL) transmission from a studio at Swindon's Brunel Plaza shopping complex in September 2001. The station was founded by former Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
chairman Rikki Hunt and jazz musician Ray Butt, who felt a need for new station in the area which GWR FM
GWR FM
GWR FM was a network of three radio stations in the south west of England. All three stations were rebranded and joined the Heart Network on 23 March 2009.*GWR FM Bristol - now Heart Bristol - was launched in 1981 as Radio West, it relaunched as GWR in 1985....
had for many years been the only commercial station, along with BBC Radio Wiltshire Sound (now BBC Wiltshire
BBC Wiltshire
BBC Wiltshire is the BBC Local Radio station and BBC Online service for the English county of Wiltshire. The station marked its 20th anniversary in 2009.-BBC Wiltshire Sound :...
). Their target audience was between 25–55 years and played popular artists from the 1950s to the present day that catered for their audience, including local artists with specialist music shows which the area had been lacking as well as a local news service.
Another RSL transmission was broadcast in June and July 2002, focusing more on local talent to present the station's programming.
DAB broadcasting
In 2003, Swindon FM began broadcasting from new studios at Old Town Court as a DABDigital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
-only station - the first local station of its kind in the United Kingdom. Swindon FM broadcast originally on Saturdays & Sundays between 6am and 10pm before expanding to a full seven days-a-week service later in the year - an event marked by a weekend-long countdown of one hundred songs voted for by the public. Other feature programming on the station included The What's On Guide and The Winning Weekend.
The launch of a DAB station (by now, run completely by volunteers) also marked a change in Swindon FM's target audience to 35 years and over, concentrating on the older range of the scale. In late 2004, presenter James Patterson attempted his second record breaking attempt for The Longest Radio Show in History - only to be informed that he had failed on the first night due to an electricity failure.
In 2005 the group applied for the Local Radio licence, however Ofcom decided in favour of another group, Now FM later renamed to Brunel FM
Brunel FM
Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right....
owned by The Local Radio Company
The Local Radio Company
The Local Radio Company is a British media company, originally based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, that owns ten independent local radio stations in the UK...
.
The end
In 2005, Swindon FM applied to OfcomOfcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
for a local FM licence but lost out to another group, Now FM (now known as Brunel FM
Brunel FM
Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right....
and owned by The Local Radio Company
The Local Radio Company
The Local Radio Company is a British media company, originally based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, that owns ten independent local radio stations in the UK...
).
At 2pm on Friday 12 May 2006, the station ceased transmission after running into difficulties with its premises, leaving Swindon FM homeless. At the end of the year, the team behind Swindon FM applied for a Community Radio licence but lost out to Swindon 105.5
Swindon 105.5
SWINDON 105.5 is a community radio station for Swindon, Wiltshire fully licensed by media and communications regulator Ofcom. The station is run by volunteers and obtains its funding by donations from the public and local companies and from Ofcom grants...
.
Presenters
| Name | Role | Last Seen/Currently doing |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Jones | Weekday/Sunday Breakfast | Flame FM RSL 2007 |
| Simon Hawkins | Saturday Breakfast | Brunel FM Saturday/Sunday Breakfast |
| Carl Humphreys | Station controller/Drive presenter | BBC Wiltshire - Flame FM - Event Radio Live: 07 - Brunel FM Brunel FM Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right.... Occasional Breakfast presenter |
| Will Truman | IT Support/Presenter | FOrmerly GWR Bristol/Bath/Wiltshire Travel Presenter & GCap Media Regional Travel Editor, Breakfast & Drive Presenter Brunel FM Brunel FM Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right.... |
| Paul Langcaster | Saturday Brunch presenter | Press Officer, North Wilts District Council |
| Warren Hoy | Sunday Shutdown Presenter | Emigrated to Canada |
| Alan Dee | Soul 2 Soul Presenter | Event Radio: Live RSL 2007, Soul show on Radioio on going, Fantasy Radio 106.8FM Devizes August 2010 |
| Shirley Ludford | Sunday Brunch Presenter | Station Manager, Swindon 105.5 |
| Bryan Barrow | Saturday Evening Presenter | Life Coach |
| Mike Ganley | Crooked Road Presenter | British Folk Radio, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
| Ray Bewes | Sunday Afternoon Presenter | Hospital Radio Swindon, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
| Nick Anderson | Friday Drive Presenter | |
| Sophie Mayes | Drive Presenter | Emigrated To Australia |
| Ellie Johnston | Drive Presenter | |
| Dave Harries | Weekday Afternoon Presenter | BizView.tv |
| Alan Ford | Sunday Evening Presenter | Brunel FM, Saturday Evening Presenter / Saturday Sports |
| Luke Edwards | Saturday Brunch Presenter | Hospital Radio Swindon / Flame FM / BBC |
| Mick Jackson | Wednesday Night Presenter | Unknown |
| Jonathan Robinson | Broadcast Assistant | Chippenham College |
| Paul Dunn | Tuesday Evening Presenter | BizView.tv |
| Ian Rowe | Early/Brunch Presenter | Swindon 105.5 Presenter & Director |
| Richard Levenge and John Banks | Wednesday Blues Presenters | Unknown |
| Chris Kerslake | Wednesday/Sunday Blues Presenter | Bass Player with 16 Speed |
| Gregory Stevens | Weekend Early/Cover Presenter | 10 Radio Presenter |
| Sam Abercromby | Saturday Sports Presenter | Bath Hospital Radio |
| Richard Grace | Saturday Sports Co-Presenter | Second life Second Life Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars... Artist, |
| Richard Scott | Sunday Breakfast Co Presenter W/ Dave Jones | Flame FM RSL, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
| Ray Butt | Founder and Tuesday Jazz Presenter | Unknown |
| James Patterson | Presenter | Director of Brunel FM |
| Andrew Brewerton | Sunday Breakfast Show | Swindon 105.5 Arts Show |
| Louise Brill | Presenter Sunday Evening | Currently acting and modelling |