The battle for the new Oxford/South Oxfordshire commercial radio licence looks like it will be an interesting one. Applications have been received from Oxford Local Radio (Castle FM), GCap Media (Fox Gold), Spirit of Oxfordshire Radio (Inspire 106), Absolute Radio International (Jack FM) and South Central Media (More FM). Ridge FM, the group backed by Milestone Group have failed to make a bid.
Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 300,000. The exact coverage will be determined by the location of the transmission site and other technical characteristics.
The applicants in full are:
Castle FM
Oxford Local Radio Limited, November Cottage, Ferry Road, South Stoke, South Oxfordshire, RG8 0JP
Contact: Tony Grundy Tel: 01491 873185 / 07778 311707
Email: tony@oxfordlocalradio.com
A genuinely local radio station for 35 to 64 year olds, focused on Oxford and South Oxfordshire, with significant speech content, such as local news, interviews and community information forming an essential part of the output.
FOX Gold
First Oxfordshire Radio Company Limited, Brush House, Pony Road, Oxford, OX4 2XR
Contact: Sarah Smithard Tel: 02476 868200
Email: sarah.smithard@gcapmedia.com
A classic pop hit music led service targeted at 35 pluses, and primarily at 45 pluses, with a strong commitment to local news and information.
Inspire 106
Spirit of Oxfordshire Radio Ltd, 32 Grove Street, Oxford, OX2 7JT
Contact: Mark Flanagan Tel: 0777 600 1166
Email: mark@inspire106.co.uk
A station aimed at 35 to 64 year olds in Oxford and South Oxfordshire playing Adult Music Variety, a broad mix of adult hits, easy listening and album tracks from the 1960?s to today, together with local news, and speech, much of it challenging and information-led.
106 Jack FM Oxfordshire
Absolute Radio International Limited, Suite 12, Pegaxis House, 61 Victoria Road, Surbiton, KT6 4JX
Contact: Clive Dickens Tel: 020 7978 6529
Email : clive@jackfmoxford.com
Oxford and South Oxfordshire?s variety music station, particularly appealing to 35-54 adults. A generally music-intensive theme, with regular news and information which is locally relevant.
More FM
South Central Media Limited, 7 Marston Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3YF
Contact: Steve Cannon Tel: 01844 217131
Email: steve.cannon@morefm.co.uk
A local radio station clearly targeting listeners aged 35+ in the Oxford and South Oxfordshire area, featuring significant local speech and 24-hour local news and information alongside a broad variety of classic and recent hits, dominated by songs that are more than 10 years old.