Radio Wave 96.5

Radio Wave 96.5 is a British Independent Local Radio station that serves the Blackpool and Fylde coast areas of Lancashire, owned and operated by Bauer Radio. The station broadcasts from a specially-constructed transmitter aerial atop Blackpool Tower. It was originally called Radio Wave and has also been known as The Wave 96.5. Bauer Radio announced on 27 May 2020 that Radio Wave will be rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio from early September 2020.

"Radio Wave" redirects here. For the electromagnetic radiation, see Radio wave.

Radio Wave
CityBlackpool
Broadcast areaThe Fylde
SloganToday's Best Mix
FrequencyFM: 96.5 MHz
First air date25 May 1992
FormatHot AC
Transmitter coordinates53.8159°N 3.0551°W / 53.8159; -3.0551
OwnerBauer Radio
WebcastLive stream
WebsiteWave965.com

History
Radio Wave logo used from 2010 to 2016.

In the late 1980s, local businessman John Barnett started lobbying the radio industry regulator for a distinct Independent Local Radio (ILR) licence for the Blackpool and Fylde area. The licence was awarded in 1992[1] and Radio Wave began broadcasting at 7 am on 25 May 1992 with an introduction from its founder. The first presenter on-air was Neil Sexton and the first record played was "The Best" by Tina Turner. The official launch took place on a specially erected stage in front of a live audience on the promenade by Blackpool Tower and featured Les Dawson and Derek Batey together with other local celebrities.

In its first year of broadcasting the station won a Sony Radio Academy Awards Gold Award and was commended in the Local Station of the Year category.[1]

In August 1996, Radio Wave was confirmed by RAJAR as the most listened-to radio station in the area, ahead of fourteen other stations which were available including BBC Radio 1, which had half the number of listeners locally.[2] In 2000 Barnett received an MBE for services to radio broadcasting.[3] He is now the station's chairman.

Transmission area

Radio Wave broadcasts from studios based on Mowbray Drive in the Layton area of Blackpool, with the signal coming from the top of the Blackpool Tower. The station can be heard from Fleetwood in the Wyre district, in the northwest corner of the Fylde, Preston to the east and Southport, 14.8 miles (23.8 km) west-southwest of Preston. Radio Wave can also be received as far north as Shap Fell in Cumbria.

Programming

Local programming is produced and broadcast from Radio Wave's Blackpool studios from 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays, 6 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, and 8 am to midday on Sundays. Networked programming originates from Signal 1's studios in Stoke-on-Trent.

Presenters include Scott & Stacey from Radio Wave Breakfast, Chris Bovaird, Ian Shepherd and Travis Mitchell.

News and Sport

Radio Wave broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to midday on weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows.[4] The station also simulcasts hourly Sky News Radio bulletins at all other times.

The station also broadcasts a live sports programme on Saturday afternoons, including live match commentaries on Blackpool F.C. league and cup matches during the football season.

References
  1. "An application to Ofcom for the Independent Local Radio Licence covering Preston, Leyland and Chorley" (PDF). Section 105 (A). Ofcom. 7 September 2006. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  2. "On the crest of a wave!". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 15 August 1996. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  3. "The Queen's Birthday Honours – MBEs: A – K". BBC News. 16 June 2000. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  4. Radio Wave public file
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