V2 Radio set to broadcast on FM airwaves for the first time
Yes! Proper local radio returns to the local FM banded airwaves of areas within South-west Sussex for the first time since Spirit FM was rebranded into a national network.
In December of this year V2 Radio will be broadcasting on FM across Chichester, Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas.
This means that anyone who has a traditional FM radio set in their homes, cars and workplaces can find us on frequency 87.7 between December 1-28.
Personally, I find this an exciting milestone in V2 Radio’s history as we approach our first birthday on January 18.
Our current local listeners and potential new listeners now have a new way to find us on a traditional and familiar FM platform.
We know that this will be welcome news to a lot of listeners who haven’t already made the transition from traditional FM listening to current and future-proofed
DAB platforms.
Whilst it’s important for us to service listeners using FM as their primary source of radio listening, recent industry statistics show that Dab/digital listening is on a sharp increase – it has surged past 60 per cent to now account for 65.8 per cent of all radio listening in the UK.
Our short-term view at V2 Radio is that Ofcom should consider allowing local radio stations like us a to broadcast on FM– there are a number of national companies currently acquiring local radio stations with haste and turning them into soulless and empty carcasses which offer networked output lacking connectivity with listeners. The local radio station landscape in this country now looks bleak.
With Ofcom no longer issuing FM licences to any commercial radio stations, it makes it a compounding uphill challenge for the decreasing number of remaining local stations to access potential audiences on a wider scale.
Ofcom’s plans are to switch off FM technology in favour of a digital future however when that day will definitively arrive is anyone’s guess.
Remember when TV made the switch from analogue to digital?
It was a lengthy and confusing process for many – radio unfortunately will be the same.
As part of our 87.7 FM campaign, we’re running an FM amnesty – listeners can preregister to drop off their old FM radio sets and exchange it for a brand-new DAB radio free of charge.
This will also coincide with our open day on Sunday, December 12, 10am to 2pm.
You’ll be able to drop into the station for a mince-pie, hot drinks and have a tour around the studios – it’s also the last day to donate to our toy appeal too.
We would be so grateful if you can donate to less advantaged children across the area.
Details on both campaigns are on our website – v2radio.co.uk
All donations will be given to St Wilfrid’s Hospice and sold in their shop, so it’s a real win-win for our community.