See also
| Broadcast area | Yeovil |
|---|---|
| Frequency | FM: 105.6 MHz 106.6 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic Hits |
| Network | Greatest Hits Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bauer |
| History | |
First air date | 26 October 2003 |
Former names | Ivel FM Midwest Radio The Breeze |
| Links | |
| Website | GHR Somerset |
Greatest Hits Radio Somerset (Yeovil) is an Independent Local Radio station serving Yeovil, South Somerset and West Dorset in England.
The station, formerly known as The Breeze (Yeovil and South Somerset), was folded into Greatest Hits Radio South West, as part of a rebrand, on 1 September 2020.
The station was originally called Ivel FM. In 2002, the radio station along with YDR FM, Mirage FM and Merlin FM bid for the licence to serve Yeovil. Ivel FM was victorious and commenced broadcasting in October 2003. [1]
In its final 13th year of statutory life (2003), the Radio Authority awarded its 150th analogue radio licence - on this occasion for the South Somerset area of Yeovil. Four applicants entered the running with the winner being RIL Ltd backed by Launch Director James Richards, now owns and runs Approach Motoring School and Approach Driver Academy Ltd, who came up with the name Ivel FM, because it so symbolises the broadcast area. Ilchester (Ivelchester) and Ilminster (Ivelminster) from the Anglo-Saxon heritage. Ivel FM offered a friendly locally involved radio station aimed at the 25-64 age bracket, with coverage of local news and information and conversation on life in the county and area. Musically, popular favourites from four decades.
Amongst the management of Ivel FM, there was ex-Orchard FM's Christine Haigh, Yeovil Town's Chairman John Fry, local Chartered Accountant Clive Brown and Launch Director James Richards, previously Station Manager of Vale FM in Shaftesbury. In its time, the RA issued what's turned out to be an average of 1 new station per month. Ivel FM became operational in October 2003 covering Chard and Ilminster and Sherborne. The launch was deemed to one of the most successful in the RA's history.
The station's programme controller and breakfast presenter was Steve Carpenter. He has been presenting the Breakfast Show since 2004 and has worked in radio since 1985, previously at DevonAir Radio, Orchard FM, 107.7 WFM and BBC Radio Devon. [2]
Other presenters at the station included Neil Quigley, who is now hosting a programme elsewhere, Dan Gold, David Gale, Tim Ley, Phil Clements and Kevin Hann. Scott Temple and Matt Crabb also joined the line up and continued their shows after the Midwest Radio rebrand.
The station was sold to Midwest Radio Ltd in a deal along with Vale FM. [3]
The owners subsequently rebranded the station, along with Vale FM as Midwest Radio. The old TLRC branding disappeared, and the stations shared a single website at www.midwestradio.co.uk. The two stations constitute a mini-network with off-peak shows being simulcast on both stations. In 2011 all split shows were dropped and all programming originated from the broadcast center in Yeovil. A single breakfast show was launched with split content relevant to the 'Somerset & West Dorset' (Ivel) and 'North Dorset' (Vale) broadcast areas. The show was hosted by Steve Carpenter, news and sport was read by Greg Bown and the show was produced by Matt Crabb. Former Orchard FM presenter, Laura Jones replaced Matt Crabb before the station rebranded to The Breeze.
According to RAJAR Midwest Radio reached up to 42,000 adults a month with nearly half a million listening hours.
In December 2011, both Midwest Radio Stations were sold to Celador Radio after Midwest Radio Ltd decided not to contest with the Bridgwater licence. [4]
After an approval with Ofcom, both stations have been relaunched as The Breeze at midnight on 25 June 2012, merging with The Breeze in Bridgwater. [5]
Heart Somerset was an Independent Local Radio station serving Somerset, England. Originally owned by Orchard Media Ltd, the company was purchased by GWR Group in 1999, and subsequently became owned by GCap Media in 2005. Somerset's Orchard FM broadcast from studios at Haygrove House at Shoreditch near Taunton Racecourse, Taunton, adjacent to the M5.
Radio Wave was an Independent Local Radio station serving Blackpool, The Fylde and surrounding areas. It broadcast from studios in the Layton area of Blackpool via a specially constructed transmitter atop Blackpool Tower.
Greatest Hits Radio Dorset (North Dorset) (formerly Vale FM) is an Independent Local Radio station which broadcasts to the Blackmore Vale and Cranborne Chase, from Shaftesbury, Dorset, in southern England.
The Breeze (North Somerset) was an Independent Local Radio station serving North Somerset, England.
The Breeze (Bristol) was an Independent Local Radio station serving Bristol.
CPL Productions is an independent television and radio production company run by Danielle Lux, Murray Boland and Janet Oakes. It was formed in the United Kingdom in 1981 as an independent television production company. It created and produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is best known for the TV format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the film Slumdog Millionaire which, in 2009, collected seven BAFTAs, four Golden Globes and eight Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture.
The Breeze (South Devon) was an Independent Local Radio station serving South Devon, England.
Easy Radio South Coast is an Independent Local Radio station based in Southampton, England, owned and operated by Nation Broadcasting. It broadcasts to the South Coast of the England.
Radio Exe is an Independent Local Radio station based in Exeter, Devon, England.
Greatest Hits Radio Dorset (North Dorset) is an Independent Local Radio station serving North Dorset.
Total Star was the brand name of a radio station based in Cheltenham broadcasting in Gloucestershire owned by Celador. It was the licence holder for the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury licence issued by Ofcom.
The Breeze (Bath) was an Independent Local Radio station serving Bath, Somerset.
Total Star Warminster was a radio station which broadcast on 107.5 FM in Warminster, Wiltshire, England and is owned by One Gold Radio Ltd. The station was relaunched as More FM in June 2011. On 2 November 2011, Celador acquired the Warminster licence and rebranded the station as The Breeze.
The Breeze was a network of Independent Local Radio stations broadcasting to Bristol, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset, North Dorset, North Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Devon, South West Surrey, West Berkshire and West Wiltshire, as well as in East Anglia as Radio Norwich 99.9, The Beach, North Norfolk Radio, Town 102 and Dream 100. The stations broadcast a 'contemporary easy listening' format, playing classic and recent melodic popular music aimed principally at listeners over the age of 40.
Greatest Hits Radio South West is a regional radio station serving the South West of England, as part of Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio network.
Sam FM Swindon was an Independent Local Radio station based in Swindon, England, broadcasting on the 107.7 FM frequency between 2006 and 2020.
Greatest Hits Radio Somerset (West Somerset) is a local radio station serving Warminster, Westbury / Trowbridge in West Wiltshire / Frome in East Somerset.
The Breeze formerly Quay West and Total Star Somerset was an Independent Local Radio station serving the Sedgemoor District, Bridgwater and West Somerset.
AIR 107.2 is the community radio station for Weymouth and Portland. All content is broadcast from its studios in Weymouth via its transmitter located at Wyke Regis.
Heart West is a regional radio station owned and operated by Global as part of the Heart network. It broadcasts in South West England, South Wales, Herefordshire, Malvern and Malvern Hills from studios in Bristol.