Connect Radio 97.2 & 107.4

Coordinates: 52°24′27″N 0°44′25″W / 52.407456°N 0.740263°W / 52.407456; -0.740263

The Connect Network
Broadcast area Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough Northampton Peterborough and Rushden
Slogan The Hit Music Channel
Frequency

107.4 MHz, 97.2 MHz, 106.8 MHz, DAB, Online

RDS: CONNECT__
First air date 6 April 1990
Format Contemporary, Top 40, Hit Music, 80s Hits
Power Digital/Analogue
Owner Adventure Radio
Website connectfm.com

Connect FM is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom broadcasting to Northamptonshire and Peterborough and the Home Counties. . It is owned by Adventure Radio and based in Kettering. The station plays ‘Hit music’ which is songs from the 1980s to the present day, with a selection of great presenters.

History

Previous logo

The station launched as KCBC on 6 April 1990 on 1530 kHz AM.[1] The original daytime line-up consisted of Howard Rose at breakfast time, followed by Tony Harrison, Terry Doyle, Mark Jeeves and Andy Jackson. It originally broadcast a Golden Oldies format, playing hits from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, in addition to local news bulletins and sports coverage.[2] In 1992, the station switched frequency to 1584 kHz.

In 1996, KCBC was purchased by The Local Radio Company. The station transferred to FM in March 1998, broadcasting on 107.4 MHz in Kettering and Corby, with a sister station, Connect FM, in Wellingborough, on 97.2 MHz.

In August 1999, the station's new owners, Jersey-based Hub Trans Communications, merged KCBC and Connect FM, rebranding them as Connect 97.2 and 107.4, and co-locating both stations at Telford Way Industrial Estate in Kettering. The station changed hands again in May 2000, when it was bought by Forward Media.[3] In 2007, Connect was granted permission by OFCOM to relocate to Peterborough at the headquarters of Lite FM, another station operated by Forward Media. In 2010 Connect FM moved back to Kettering after acquiring the old Tollers solicitors building in the Headlands.

In 2009, Connect was acquired by Adventure Radio. The station currently draws its playlist from the late 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, under the banner of Today's Best Mix For Northamptonshire and Peterborough and in 2011, Connect FM launched a "No Repeat Nine To Five" format that guarantees listeners won't hear the same song twice during the working day. It provides hourly local news bulletins between 6am and 7pm on weekdays, 7am and 1pm on Saturdays and 8am and 1pm on Sundays.[4]

In July 2016 the station owners Adventure Island signed a management contract with Communicorp which would see them offer extra support to both Connect FM and Heart Hertfordshire.

The station's longest serving on-air team members are Carlo Fiorentino who has been there since 1990 and Gregg Nunney who joined the team in 1996. Mark Jeeves, who returned in 2009, and Murray J were both part of the original line-up too.

On Air

The Connect Network broadcasts to Peterborough, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, playing "The Hit Music Channel". The station broadcasts on 97.2 FM in Wellingborough, Rushden and Northampton, 107.4 FM in Kettering, Corby and East Northamptonshire and 106.8FM in Peterborough as well as on DAB Radio across Herts, Beds and Bucks. Connect can be heard as well online at connectfm.com or other BIG Online Services. The station is locally focussed and provides local news and travel bulletins at peak times. Recently, Connect FM as of September 2018 has gone back to Digital Radio in Northamptonshire and Peterborough.

To check the latest On-Air shows, please visit Connectfm.com/shows.

Shows

The presenters on weekdays are Liz Jeeves @ Breakfast, Mornings with Tracie Young, Paul Lovett in the Afternoon, Mikey at Drive, Chris Brooks on Evenings. Fridays from 5 pm are Talking Sport legends Gregg & Phil.

On Saturdays shows are, Gregg Nunney at Breakfast, Murray J on Mornings, Tracie Young on Afternoons, Pure 90s with Daniel Fox and Ear Candy with Chris Brooks.

On Sundays, a simple schedule of Murray J at Breakfast, Mikey Faulkner from Lunchtime and The Vodafone Big Top 40, Sunday’s from 4pm.

At other times, Connect FM play complete Non-stop music through the night, songs include a mixture of beats and relaxation music from the 1980s to the present day!

References

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