Five radio stations operated by Your Media Communications Group ceased broadcasting Wednesday evening after administrators pulled the plug on all stations.
Bath FM, Brunel FM, 3TR and the two QuayWest FM stations all closed-down suddenly around 5pm, just moments after all staff were made redundant and assets removed.
All stations are now transmitting non-stop music from an emergency back-up disc, with the exception of 3TR FM which is on-air but silent.
Today's events conclude many months of uncertainty after previous owners South West Radio went into administration. New company Your Media Communications Group, which attempted to take on ownership of the stations but received objection from Ofcom on more than one occasion, has also been placed into administration today.
YMCG is in dispute with the administrators over fees, reported to be around £69,000, prompting the company to invoke a forced debenture over YMCG.
Creditors were on stand-by to remove assets from stations shortly after the broadcasting ceased. It is thought the owners of Star Radio Cheltenham have arranged a deal with administrators Kirk Hills, who are currently the legal owners of all five Ofcom licences, to take-over assets and eventually all broadcast licences.
Any such transfer of ownership will be subject to approval by Ofcom, but RadioToday understands the stations will return to air at some point next week.