Kennet Radio to hit mainstream broadcast

Community radio station granted FM licence

KENNET Radio has been granted a licence to broadcast on an FM frequency.

The community radio station has been broadcasting via the Internet since it was founded in 2013. Ofcom has now allowed it to make the jump to mainstream radio.

The chairman of Kennet Radio, Julian Swift Hook, said: “It’s fantastic news, I can’t tell you how excited I am. We have been working towards this day for the last three years or more. It’s just amazing that that we have finally got there.”

He thanked volunteers for their support and local companies and organisations, including Greenham Coomon Trust, who had made donations and sponsorship.

Mr Swift Hook said that the jump to FM would make it easier for people to listen to Kennet Radio; using a radio rather than having to switch on a computer or login to an app, although the online services will continue to operate.

He said the switch to FM would provide a greater opportunity for local people to “get involved and make programmes about local issues and things they are passionate about.”

Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis, focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to a particular geographical community or a community of interest.

Mr Swift Hook said that he hoped Kennet Radio would go live on FM before the end of the year.

For more on Kennet Radio and to volunteer visit www.kennetradio.com

Community radio services must satisfy certain characteristics of service and Ofcom said that Kennet Radio had demonstrated its ability to maintain the service.

“It has existing assets with some secured funding and in-kind support for the pre-launch period and year one, and the group has gained useful experience of broadcasting in the area. ”

Ofcom received 26 applications from across the south east in June last year. Kennet Radio was among five community radio stations in the region to be granted a licence.