Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay
Encyclopedia
Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay were part of the Heart Network
of commercial local radio
stations operated by Global Radio
in the United Kingdom
. The stations were launched on 23 March 2009, and replaced Gemini FM, which was the previous commercial radio station for the Exeter
and Torbay
areas in Devon
.
Heart Torbay transmitted from Beacon Hill, near Torbay on 96.4 MHz
FM
. Heart Exeter transmitted from Exeter St Thomas on 97.0 FM, and Stockland Hill, near Honiton
on 103.0 FM. They were also available on DAB
digital radio and online via their respective websites. Both stations were replaced by Heart Devon
, broadcast from Exeter, on Friday 27 August 2010.
Radio, which was launched in 1980. The station broadcast from studios in St. David's Hill, Exeter, and overlooking the harbour in Torquay. DevonAir was initially successful, but financial problems resulted in a takeover by Capital Radio
in 1987. In 1993 the station lost its franchise, leading to the creation of Gemini FM.
in May 2005. Gemini FM continued to broadcast from studios in Exeter and Torquay, although as with DevonAir, most of the programming was sourced from the studio in Exeter.
as part of a national rebranding exercise by new owners Global Radio
. Broadcasts from the Torquay harbourside studio ceased, and the programmes for both stations were produced at the studio in Exeter.
, began broadcasting from Exeter on 27 August 2010.
Heart Network
Heart is a radio network of 17 adult contemporary independent local radio stations in central & southern England and north Wales. Each station broadcasts local breakfast and drive time shows and simulcasts network programming at all other times...
of commercial local radio
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
stations operated by Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The stations were launched on 23 March 2009, and replaced Gemini FM, which was the previous commercial radio station for the Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and Torbay
Torbay
Torbay is an east-facing bay and natural harbour, at the western most end of Lyme Bay in the south-west of England, situated roughly midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Part of the ceremonial county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998...
areas in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.
Heart Torbay transmitted from Beacon Hill, near Torbay on 96.4 MHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
. Heart Exeter transmitted from Exeter St Thomas on 97.0 FM, and Stockland Hill, near Honiton
Honiton
Honiton is a town and civil parish in East Devon, situated close to the River Otter, north east of Exeter in the county of Devon. The town's name is pronounced in two ways, and , each pronunciation having its adherents...
on 103.0 FM. They were also available on DAB
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....
digital radio and online via their respective websites. Both stations were replaced by Heart Devon
Heart Devon
Heart Devon is a Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Devon. The station began broadcasting on Friday 27 August 2010 as a result of a merger between Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay , Heart Plymouth , Heart North Devon and Heart South Devon .-History:The regional station...
, broadcast from Exeter, on Friday 27 August 2010.
DevonAir Radio
The first commercial local radio station for the Exeter and Torbay areas was DevonAirDevonAir
DevonAir Radio was the independent local radio station serving East Devon, Exeter and Torbay.-History:On 27th March 1978, the Independent Broadcasting Authority invited applicants for the Exeter/Torbay local radio licenece...
Radio, which was launched in 1980. The station broadcast from studios in St. David's Hill, Exeter, and overlooking the harbour in Torquay. DevonAir was initially successful, but financial problems resulted in a takeover by Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
in 1987. In 1993 the station lost its franchise, leading to the creation of Gemini FM.
Gemini FM
Launched on 1 January 1995, Gemini Radio was owned by the Orchard Media Group. The station was later bought by the GWR Group, which became part of GCap MediaGCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
in May 2005. Gemini FM continued to broadcast from studios in Exeter and Torquay, although as with DevonAir, most of the programming was sourced from the studio in Exeter.
Heart rebranding
In September 2008, it was announced that Gemini FM was to become Heart FMHeart Network
Heart is a radio network of 17 adult contemporary independent local radio stations in central & southern England and north Wales. Each station broadcasts local breakfast and drive time shows and simulcasts network programming at all other times...
as part of a national rebranding exercise by new owners Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
. Broadcasts from the Torquay harbourside studio ceased, and the programmes for both stations were produced at the studio in Exeter.
Network restructuring
On 21 June 2010, Global Radio announced that Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay would be merged with Heart Plymouth, Heart North Devon and Heart South Devon as part of plans to reduce the Heart network of stations from 33 to 16. The new station, Heart DevonHeart Devon
Heart Devon is a Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Devon. The station began broadcasting on Friday 27 August 2010 as a result of a merger between Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay , Heart Plymouth , Heart North Devon and Heart South Devon .-History:The regional station...
, began broadcasting from Exeter on 27 August 2010.