Phoenix FM
 | |
| Broadcast area | Brentwood and Billericay |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.0 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Phoenix FM Limited |
| History | |
First air date | 29 December 1996 (restricted licence), 23 March 2007 (fully licensed) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | MP3 Stream |
| Website | phoenixfm |
Phoenix FM is a community radio station serving the areas of Brentwood and Billericay, United Kingdom on 98.0FM and online, covering an area of over 140,000 people.
History
The station was formed in 1996 and has been broadcasting full-time on FM since 23 March 2007, having completed twelve 28-day restricted service licence broadcasts on FM between 1996 and 2006.
On 16 February 2006, Ofcom announced that Phoenix FM, after ten years of campaigning, had been awarded a full-time Community Radio licence.[1]
Having previously set up studios in Ongar Road, The Hermitage and Hutton Poplars Lodge, Phoenix FM moved its base of operations to the Baytree Centre in early 2007 and started broadcasting full-time on 98.0 FM at 7p.m. on Friday 23 March 2007. The station moved to its current base at the Brentwood Centre in February 2012.
The station's broadcasts have provided a valuable platform for local bands looking to gain airtime. Inme, who were then known under the name of Drowned, were one band whose first radio play and interviews were on the station.
The station's Creative Sessions have given studio recording time to unknown and young local bands as well as featuring established recording artists such as Republica, Imogen Heap, Turin Brakes, Salad, Echobelly, Midway Still, Chris T-T and MJ Hibbett.
Phoenix FM was also the first community radio station in the UK to provide a streaming internet service, in 2001.
DAB
East London and Essex Digital, a consortium led by Phoenix FM and including Basildon station Gateway 97.8, won the small scale DAB multiplex licence in July 2024. [2] Phoenix FM is likely to launch on DAB in early 2005, increasing its terestial audience to over 1.3 million.[3]
Notable current and former presenters
- Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, who presented the Midweek Matchzone show with Chris Hood between 2015 and 2018.
- Snooker player Steve Davis, who presented the Interesting Alternative show from 1996 to 2021, (jointly with Kavus Torabi from 2011-2021)[4]
- 'Allo 'Allo! actor Vicki Michelle
- Former Brentwood and Ongar MP Sir Eric Pickles[5]
- Former leader of Brentwood Borough Council The Right Honourable Brandon Lewis, now Northern Ireland Secretary and Conservative MP for Great Yarmouth.
- Sonny Jay Muharrem from The Loveable Rogues who presented on Phoenix FM for two years before moving to Capital FM
- Carter USM guitarist/songwriter Les "Fruitbat" Carter
- The Damned guitarist/songwriter Roman Jugg
- Boxer Rebellion drummer Piers Hewitt
- My Life Story singer Jake Shillingford
- Singer/songwriter Chris T-T
- Kula Shaker drummer Paul Winter-Hart
- The Others singer Dominic Masters
- Former music and football agent Eric Hall
- Former Essex cricketer Ian Pont
References
- ^ "Ofcom awards 21 community radio licences". Ofcom. 16 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
- ^ "Ofcom announces all small-scale DAB winners for round 5". Radio Today. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Coverage". East London and Essex Digital. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ Duerden, Nick (5 January 2014). "How we met: Steve Davis & Kavus Torabi". The Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ Harris, John (9 July 2007). "It's a game of two halves as the frontbenchers go for the face-off". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 February 2008.