Christmas station goes for January launch

Chaine FM, Larne’s Christmas radio station, is one of the recent licence winners in Northern Ireland, and is looking for a launch in January 2015.

The station has two years to start broadcasting on its five year licence, and the station says the 2015 launch date will allow the appropriate funding to be secured for start-up costs and also to finalise the station’s running costs.

Station Director, Gary Andrews told RadioToday: “Getting the full-time Chaine FM up and running requires quite a significant investment in items such as transmitters and it’ll take a little bit of work to get the final funding in place.

“In addition, now we have a license we will work towards finalising how the station’s running costs will be met. Unlike our Christmas station we can only generate half our income through advertising and sponsorship”.

In the meantime, the Christmas station will broadcast (subject to short term license approval) in December 2013 and 2014.

The full time station will be different to the Christmas broadcasts, Gary says.

“Many old favourites will be there but it’ll have a slightly less commercial sound. There will be something for all ages, tastes and sections of the community. We are keen to get as many involved as possible. Over the coming months we will be holding public meetings across the borough as well as meeting individual community groups.”

Community radio operates on a “not for profit” basis but it hasn’t been ruled out that in due course a number of jobs may be created if funding can be secured for development or admin workers.