Hot Radio Bournemouth to close next week

Community station Hot Radio will cease broadcasting next week after five years serving Poole and Bournemouth.

A short statement on the station’s website says: “It is with regret that Hot Radio will cease broadcasting on Monday 6th January at 18:00. We would like to thank all our staff, listeners and advertisers for all their support over the last five years.”

AFC Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn has released this statement: “After a great deal of deliberation and with much regret, we have decided to close Hot Radio.

“AFC Bournemouth has financially supported the station over the last two years, but unfortunately it just doesn’t make business sense to keep it operating going forward.

“I’d like to thank all those who have supported the station during the time it has been at the club and everyone who has worked so hard to make it a success.”

The station started life as The Bay 102.8 and has recently won a five year extension on its Ofcom licence. It changed hands in 2011 after AFC Bournemouth became owners.

Just last month, Hot Radio station manager Claire Edwards said, “Hot Radio has come a long way in the last 18 months and I’m delighted that Ofcom has given us the opportunity to continue our work in serving the community of Poole and Bournemouth for the next five years.

Shortly after the football club “bought” the station in 2011, a press release was issued saying The Bay was rebranding to Play Radio, but a follow-up press release said the plans were cancelled. The station then changed name to Hot Radio and moved to new studios inside AFC Bournemouth’s football stadium.