Spirit FM
Encyclopedia
Spirit FM broadcasts to West Sussex from studios in Dukes Court, Chichester - the place it has been since its launch more than 10 years ago. It was previously only available in the South West of the County but gained complete coverage through a transmitter near Midhurst
.
In 2004 the station was acquired by The Local Radio Company
. (They bought a controlling interest during a hostile merger in June 2009). Until that point, Spirit FM was controlled through a joint venture between TLRC and Portsmouth FC. http://www.thelocalradiocompany.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=40
The joint venture also involved 107.4 The Quay
in Portsmouth, (sold by UKRD to Portsmouth FC) and Isle of Wight Radio
(sold by UKRD as part of a management buy-out).
Some off-peak programmes were taken as part of a policy of networking with other stations in the Local Radio Company. In mid-2009, a decision was taken at group level to end network shows. Spirit FM's output (and that of the other TLRC stations), is now locally-sourced once again.
Presenters include Kevin King (breakfast), Milly 'more front than Brighton' Luxford, Mark Chivers (drivetime) and Ian Crouch (evening).
Midhurst
Midhurst is a market town and civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England, with a population of 4,889 in 2001. The town is situated on the River Rother and is home to the ruin of the Tudor Cowdray House and the stately Victorian Cowdray Park...
.
History
Spirit FM began broadcasting in April 1996 as an independent radio station after a long fight for a "truly local Radio Station for West Sussex". Its original Chairman was David Palmer. The founding MD was Steve Oates. Previous Programme Controllers have included Kevin Dyball, Martin Lee, Ian Meadows, Paul Williams, Bernard Allen and Duncan Barkes.In 2004 the station was acquired 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...
Programming
Spirit FM is part of The Local Radio Company, which in turn is majority-owned by UKRD GroupUKRD Group
The UKRD Group Ltd is a British media company which owns 16 commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The name originates from UK Radio Developments.-History:...
. (They bought a controlling interest during a hostile merger in June 2009). Until that point, Spirit FM was controlled through a joint venture between TLRC and Portsmouth FC. http://www.thelocalradiocompany.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=40
The joint venture also involved 107.4 The Quay
107.4 The Quay
The Breeze is a United Kingdom radio station, broadcasting to the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. The station is operated by Celador and is part of The Breeze network of stations...
in Portsmouth, (sold by UKRD to Portsmouth FC) and Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990...
(sold by UKRD as part of a management buy-out).
Some off-peak programmes were taken as part of a policy of networking with other stations in the Local Radio Company. In mid-2009, a decision was taken at group level to end network shows. Spirit FM's output (and that of the other TLRC stations), is now locally-sourced once again.
Presenters include Kevin King (breakfast), Milly 'more front than Brighton' Luxford, Mark Chivers (drivetime) and Ian Crouch (evening).