Troubled Merseyside station KCR 106.7 has been slapped with a Yellow Card by Ofcom after playing a continuous loop of music and jingles for several days.
In a statement, the regulator has said: "It is clear the station is at present broadcasting no local content, information or news as required by its Format."
KCR has been unmanned since last Friday, playing non-stop music around the clock as the owners struggle to gain access to the station's premises.
Earlier today, an Ofcom spokesman told RadioToday.co.uk: “We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with the station.
“We have emphasised the need to return to compliance with their Format as soon as possible and they have informed us they are making every effort to do so. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Online reports over the weekend from listeners suggest that Huyton-based KCR, which broadcasts to eastern parts of Liverpool on 106.7 FM, has been without presentation or news since early on Friday morning, with occasional jingles and hour-long transmissions of a news bed with no bulletin after staff found themselves unable to access the studio.
One listener on Radio Today's regional discussion forum said: "All morning, there has just been music, jingles and ads – no news, no presenters and the news and weather jingles play with no news or weather at odd times."
Another wrote: "It's Groundhog Day! Tune in daily as they seem to be putting out exactly the same music in the same order every day now."
Meanwhile on Facebook, a [url=http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42207443241]group[/url] with the title "106.7 KCR FM, to be let back in join now" has been formed. Its description reads: "Due to unforeseen circumstances by KCR, programmes were suspended today, Friday 24th October, until these matters are resolved.
"Knowsley's and Liverpool's most listened-to station [sic] has been put on hold. Please show your support and join this group and get those responsible to put KCR back on the airwaves.
"These are the wordings [sic] of me and not of any employees, management or families of KCR FM."
KCR was recently [url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3778.2]sold[/url] by previous owner Ray Ferguson to Southport-based Polaris Media, who had introduced a number of alternative music shows in its evening slots. It originally launched in 2001 as KCR 106.7 before relaunching as TLRC-owned The Rocket in 2005.
Programmes reverted to KCR FM, under original owner Ferguson, around a year later. In its most recent RAJAR survey, it returned just 2,000 listeners, placing it among the least listened-to stations in the country.
