Pirate FM

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Pirate FM
Broadcast area Cornwall
Branding Cornwall's Pirate FM
First air date April 3, 1992
Frequency 102.2 MHz, 102.8 MHz
Format Adult Contemporary
Owner UKRD Group

Pirate FM is one of the Independent Local Radio stations for Cornwall and West Devon.

Cornwall's Pirate FM is a commercial station that plays a range of music styles from 60's to present day. Its strapline is 'Real Music Variety' which it has had for 5 or 6 years now. Previously 'Better Variety, More Music' 'The Worlds greatest Music' and 'Greatest Memories, Latest Hits' have been some of the straplines. Another strapline being used more recently is 'Love Cornwall, Love Pirate FM'

Pirate FM was launched in 1992 under the name of Pirate FM102 by Roger Day.

Many awards have been picked up by presenters, directors, and news over the past couple of years. A notable one is The Sony Radio Academy Awards (nicknamed the Radio Oscars) where it picked up the gold award for station of the year (300,000- 1,000,000 TSA) in the year 2003 and again in 2006.

In July 2006, Pirate FM saw its monopoly of Cornwall diminish as Atlantic FM launched, covering exactly the same area and seeking to appeal to Pirate's target audience.

Recent changes in September 2005 saw it change its branding overnight from 'The Southwest's Pirate FM' to 'Cornwall's Pirate FM'. Some say this move was to get the full support of audiences in Cornwall before Atlantic started broadcasting. As well as gaining a lot of extra listeners in Cornwall, it took a big chunk out of their loyal fan base in West Devon and Plymouth.

A new jingle package was first aired in December 2005, made by 'IQ Beats'. It was a re-sing of a previous package made for Heart 106.2 in London.

The Pirate Trust is one arm of Pirate FM that raises thousands of pounds yearly that stays locally in Cornwall.

Current presenters include Bob McCreadie as the Breakfast Presenter (known for his awful jokes), Ian Polmear, Allen Fleckney (known as Fleckers), Neil Caddy, KLJ, James Martin, James Dundon, The station manager is Beverley Warne.

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