Ofcom has received three applications for the Kidderminster FM Independent Radio Licence.
An announcement is expected in February 2005 as to which one of the three applications are successfull.
The three applicants are:
ACE FM
“Ace FM was founded on the belief that Kidderminster deserves and can sustain its own radio station, tailored to the tastes and interests of local people. Ace FM first began campaigning for a Kidderminster licence to be added to the working list back in 1999 when it conducted its first RSL as Wyre FM, reflecting the area of Wyre Forest. In the intervening years, Ace FM has operated another five trial broadcasts and sought the views and opinions of hundreds of those who live and work in Kidderminster.
100% owned by its founding shareholder, Ace FM will be a broad, full-service local radio station for adult listeners with a strong commitment to news and information for Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley. Our history, strong local board, financial stability, extensive research and support of The Midland News Association by way of the Kidderminster Chronicle, lead us to believe that no other group is better placed to understand the tastes and interests of those living in the area and provide a long-term commitment to the area.
Targeting a core listener aged 25-54 years old, Ace FM will provide competition to BBC Hereford & Worcester and BBC Radio 2 and a more local alternative to Wyvern FM. For a station of its size, Ace FM has committed and invested in resources to propose a substantial local news and information service. Truly a local station, its unrivalled news service will be augmented by a great mix of memorable classic hits from the past 40 years, kept fresh by well-chosen suitable current hits.”
KIDDERMINSTER FM LTD
“Kidderminster FM will be a music led local radio station for adult listeners with a strong commitment to news and information for and from the communities of Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley. Kidderminster FM will be 100% owned by The Wireless Group (operators of national speech station talkSPORT), which has extensive experience in local commercial radio and currently operates a network of 16 local radio stations. The group?s stations consistently rank as some of the most listened to commercial radio stations in the UK.
The Wireless Group has experience of running successful local radio stations in the Midlands, including the contiguous service to Kidderminster, 107.7 The Wolf in Wolverhampton, and Signal 1 and Signal 2 in Stoke-on-Trent. Kidderminster FM will appeal to a broad range of listeners, providing a local alternative to those outgrowing BBC Radio 1, and offering a commercial alternative to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester for the over 35?s.
Kidderminster FM?s research demonstrates that existing stations in the area do not provide enough news and information on the local area. Kidderminster FM will be committed to substantial local news, information and sports coverage that recognises the diversity of the area and will provide a tangible focal point for the community. Kidderminster FM?s music will be a great mix of classic hits from the last 40 years plus current and recent hits of today.
Kidderminster FM is conservatively projecting 17% weekly reach and average listening hours of 7.6 by the end of its first year of operation. This is projected to grow to 19% reach and 8.5 average hours by Year 2. Kidderminster FM is committed to developing home grown ?on-air? as well as ?off-air? talent. To do this Kidderminster FM will build on its relationships with Kidderminster College and with the Media Centre of Vocational Excellence at City of Wolverhampton College.”
THE WYRE FM
“A music-led station for 25-54 year olds in kiddermister and the Wyre Forest dedicated to providing comprehensive local news and information.”