kmfm group can have one breakfast show

16/02/2012 - 20:14 | 21 Replies More

Ofcom has approved a request from the KM Group to share breakfast programming across all seven of its local radio licences in Kent.

At the moment, the group has six breakfast shows for the seven areas with all other programming already networked from its Medway HQ.

The changes are to save money, with the group telling the regulator that the sharing of a single breakfast presenter would help them reverse the fortunes of what are currently loss-making stations.

The KM (Kent Messenger) Group hold licences for Ashford, Canterbury, Folkstone/Dover, Maidstone, Medway, Thanet and West Kent.

In each of their seven format request changes, KMFM said: “The changes we are asking for are within the guidelines set out by Ofcom based on the geographical region Kent. Kmfm radio is running at a loss these changes will help reverse that. We are committed to providing local and relevant information for instance traffic, events and community news will still be relevant to the broadcast area. These changes will not substantially alter the localness and content of the output.”

Ofcom approved the requests saying that they were in line with its policies on co-location and programme sharing and that the changes wouldn’t substantially alter the character of the service.

At the time of writing the breakfast presenters listed on the KMFM websites are as follows:
Ashford – Kirstyn & Webbo
Canterbury – Neil Redding
Folkstone/Dover – Adam Dowling
Maidstone & West Kent – Benedict Smith
Medway – Mike Russell
Thanet – Johnny Lewis


Tags:

Category: Station News

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1132452669 Dave Botha on Facebook

    And more talented presenters lose out…. ;(

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614612078 Jay Jackson on Facebook

    Shame

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506438488 James Mabbett on Facebook

    “And more talented presenters lose out”…agreed

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001150063180 Paul Bryant on Facebook

    It is about time the Quango known as OFCOM was scrapped!! The licences should be handed back.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=570809788 Barry David on Facebook

    Ofcom … pile of …………….nice people in suits ( ?) who have no idea how radio works .. God I hate Ofcom

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001150063180 Paul Bryant on Facebook

    OFCOM have no idea of anything

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=524665565 David Grundy on Facebook

    Or too many licences were issued in the first place…?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=503901825 Robin Blamires on Facebook

    It’s a shame in some ways, but in today’s times radio companies are coming to terms with the fact that concepts such as split breakfast shows are unsustainable.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=206057369491355 MrSevernSoundFm on Facebook

    And That Is So True

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000005611696 Philip Wood on Facebook

    Trouble was these KVM stations started out as very good popular community stations,only to be swallowed up by a bigger consortium,should never have been allowed.

  • Free As A Frog

    surprised they didn’t do this 2 years ago – what were they waiting for

    mercia/brmb will be next – can see brekkie/drive being shared soon after the rebrand to Free, certainly by 2013

  • Paul C

    This is another disgusting example of local radio becoming regional faceless radio, denying communities the right for local programming relevant to them.  Although I don’t live any where near Kent, I’m sure that the estuary towns have no ties or interest in those located on the south coast and vis versa.  When is the radio industry going to cotton on to the fact that one size doesnt fit all?

  • Radio Geordie

    It’s not just the breakfast show presenters that will be losing their jobs.  If your read between the lines, it means that KMFM will now by countywide 24/7.
    It will also mean the loss of the KMFM EXTRA service on DAB which will be replaced by the countywide KMFM shows.
    If people want a highly focussed local service, then maybe they should apply for a COMMUNITY RADIO licence.

    • MB

      KMFM is already countywide outside of breakfast, so nobody else will lose their job.

      KMFM are taking advantage of the Ofcom rules that have been in place since June 2010, under which they have only have to provide one service for the whole of Kent. The stations are curently loss-making so this will be a necessary cost saving to keep the service on-air.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1096121219 David Ayling

      i dont see extra going as they only jest made changes to the station.
      as for COMMUNITY RADIO east kent already has three of them. (thanet,folkestone,Canterbury)

      you should also not forget that bbc local radio will be changing to. if the cuts take place.

    • Medway

      Geordie, Medway has a community station on air this week, but crippled before launch by an OFCOM restriction to raise only 10% of its revenue from advertising (90% presumably from the tooth fairy)…. in order to protect the small local commercial competitor – ypu, you guessed it, KMFM !!!!

    • Suzy Brooks

      Ashford has its own excellent Comunity Radio Service already. It’s AHBS Community Radio on 107.1 FM and can be recieved for about a 10 mile radius around Ashford. There are some really great programmes especialy ‘The Wood & The Wire’ at 9pm on wednesday evenings. Give it a try it’s now Ashford’s only truely Local Radio Station.

  • Davddbs

    This will open the flood gates ????  I guess Toutch fm in tamworth will be next?

  • Redders

    Great news. KMFM? Isn’t that what randy old people use as lubrication?

  • David021166

    KMFM Ashford have lost its breakfast presenters Kirstyn and Webbo as they were disgustingly sacked what can be done about this as KMFM will lose listeners because of their actions

  • Collier Jan

    Is kirstyn @ webbo not on in the mornings now ?

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