Radio Tircoed has made way for SA Radio Live which launched this morning with Shaun Tilley on Breakfast.
The opening show, which started at 7am, included many tributes to other radio stations which previously operated in Swansea, with the launch date chosen as the original start date for Swansea Sound in 1974 and The Wave in 1995.
SA Radio Live is broadcasting programmes from studios in Tircoed Village which has been the home of community station Radio Tircoed since 2007.
It’s on 106.5 FM in the North and East of the area and online.
Shaun, who is now running the licence, says: “If ever there was a city that needs truly local radio it is Swansea. I have been fortunate to work all over the UK in my career but this is my town, I was born and bred here plus I know it like the back of my hand.
“This place is unique, the people are special and we are proud of our incredible heritage. We will be giving the city back a ‘proper’ local station with live and interactive programmes from studios based in the community. Put simply, we will be from Swansea, for Swansea.”
The schedule includes Steve Dewitt, Siany, Leighton Jones, Plastic Sam, Phil Fothergill, Dave Bowen, Chris ‘Smithy’ Smith, Griff Harries, Rob Pendry, James Lewis, Kevin King, Matthew Morrissey and the city’s first ever voice on local radio 50 years ago, Chris Harper.
Shaun co-hosted the first programme with local broadcaster Mal Pope. Presenters from the former community station Radio Tircoed will also present shows including a Welsh language programme, specialist music and a more eclectic mix of quality tracks at night. SA Radio Live will be also be broadcasting what’s on information and a community billboard whilst also supporting local charities.
Shaun added: “We will be a platform for Swansea events to get the sort of coverage they would never be able to get from any other station. It is also vital we offer local businesses incredibly affordable radio advertising and sponsorship opportunities. This will be especially good news for those who have only recently started up in such challenging times financially.
“But we are all in this together and we can do a great deal to help each other as we look forward to such an exciting future for Swansea with so much investment coming into the area. Due to the terms of our licence, we are limited in how much revenue we can generate to cover our running costs. But if any of our super talented local entrepreneurs believe in what we are trying to give back to Swansea, we would welcome their support with open arms.”