TotalStar Bath
Encyclopedia
Total Star Bath was a radio station that broadcast on 107.9 FM in Bath, Somerset, England and was owned by One Gold Radio Ltd
. It was confirmed that on the 24th of May 2011 regulator OFCOM has awarded a new licence for Bath to Celador
, and began broadcasting as The Breeze on 107.9 FM on the 25th of September 2011.
, which also serves the city. In February 2006 Bath FM was taken over by The Local Radio Company (TLRC). In June 2008 TLRC sold Bath FM, along with nearby stations Brunel FM
and 3TR FM
, to Laser Broadcasting
. On 28 October 2008, Laser Broadcasting were placed into administration.
On 29 October 2008, it was announced that Bath FM had been sold to South West Radio Ltd. Bath FM was sold alongside Brunel FM, 3TR FM, and two Quaywest stations, following the collapse of previous owner Laser Broadcasting.
South West Radio LTD went into administration on the 4th August 2009. The assets and contracts were acquired without liability by YMC ltd who ran the stations as a group.
On 24 March 2010, the five stations were closed by administrators after multiple refusals on the part of regulator OFCOM to transfer the licenses, following a number of financial issues at the stations following TLRC's sale. One Gold Radio Ltd entered into an agreement with Total Star in Gloucestershire, owned by Storm Radio ltd and in August 2010, all 5 stations were relaunched as Total Star.
Following the re-advertisement of the local Bath licence by Ofcom in 2011, it was announced that the licence has been awarded to Celador, who successfully had negotiated a deal to take over the final months of the Total Star Bath licence ahead of the "new" licence, and has since been relaunched as The Breeze 107.9 on September 25 2011, the operator of Bristol-based The Breeze 107.2. Currently the three Breeze frequencies on the South Coast share all programming, whilst the Bristol, Bath & Somerset franchise share the same local breakfast and drive time shows in the South West, with programming from Southampton at other times.
_station_in_september_2007.jpg)
Total Star Bath's signal was broadcasting from a transmitter based at Bathampton Down
, next to the University of Bath
.
In November 2007, Bath FM moved their studios to Swindon, 35 miles (56.3 km) away from their broadcast area, after Ofcom
agreed to a request from The Local Radio Company to co-locate Bath FM with Brunel FM.
On 9 September 2008, under Laser Broadcasting, Bath FM moved back into Station House and once again broadcast from the city until its closure.
One Gold Radio Ltd
One Gold Radio Ltd until July 3rd 2011 shared a network service with TotalStar radio station based in Cheltenham England.[1]TotalStar in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire - and the Total Star brand - is owned by Storm Radio Ltd.-2011 changes:...
. It was confirmed that on the 24th of May 2011 regulator OFCOM has awarded a new licence for Bath to Celador
Celador
Celador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
, and began broadcasting as The Breeze on 107.9 FM on the 25th of September 2011.
Ownership
Total Star Bath, Originally known as Bath FM and initially an independent station, was launched in November 1999 as an alternative to GWR FM BathGWR FM Bath
Heart 103 was an independent radio station serving Bath in Somerset, England, broadcasting on 103 MHz FM, on DAB Digital radio and online.-History:In 1986, a Bath ILR licence was awarded by the IBA...
, which also serves the city. In February 2006 Bath FM was taken over by The Local Radio Company (TLRC). In June 2008 TLRC sold Bath FM, along with nearby stations 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 3TR FM
3TR FM
3TR FM was a radio station based in the ancient market town of Warminster, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. It broadcasted on 107.5 FM to the West Wiltshire, East Somerset and surrounding area, and online via Internet streaming...
, to Laser Broadcasting
Laser Broadcasting
Laser Broadcasting was a commercial radio operator based in Darlington in County Durham, England.-History:The group was founded in 2002 by Nigel Reeve—one of the launch directors of Classic FM and one time chief executive of London News Radio owners of LBC—and Nick Jordan, a media sales executive...
. On 28 October 2008, Laser Broadcasting were placed into administration.
On 29 October 2008, it was announced that Bath FM had been sold to South West Radio Ltd. Bath FM was sold alongside Brunel FM, 3TR FM, and two Quaywest stations, following the collapse of previous owner Laser Broadcasting.
South West Radio LTD went into administration on the 4th August 2009. The assets and contracts were acquired without liability by YMC ltd who ran the stations as a group.
On 24 March 2010, the five stations were closed by administrators after multiple refusals on the part of regulator OFCOM to transfer the licenses, following a number of financial issues at the stations following TLRC's sale. One Gold Radio Ltd entered into an agreement with Total Star in Gloucestershire, owned by Storm Radio ltd and in August 2010, all 5 stations were relaunched as Total Star.
Following the re-advertisement of the local Bath licence by Ofcom in 2011, it was announced that the licence has been awarded to Celador, who successfully had negotiated a deal to take over the final months of the Total Star Bath licence ahead of the "new" licence, and has since been relaunched as The Breeze 107.9 on September 25 2011, the operator of Bristol-based The Breeze 107.2. Currently the three Breeze frequencies on the South Coast share all programming, whilst the Bristol, Bath & Somerset franchise share the same local breakfast and drive time shows in the South West, with programming from Southampton at other times.
Technical
Bathampton Down
Bathampton Down, is a flat limestone plateau in Bathampton overlooking Bath, and the River Avon, Somerset, England.There is evidence of man's activity at the site since the Mesolithic period including Bathampton Camp, an Iron Age hillfort or stock enclosure...
, next to the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
.
In November 2007, Bath FM moved their studios to Swindon, 35 miles (56.3 km) away from their broadcast area, after Ofcom
Ofcom
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...
agreed to a request from The Local Radio Company to co-locate Bath FM with Brunel FM.
On 9 September 2008, under Laser Broadcasting, Bath FM moved back into Station House and once again broadcast from the city until its closure.