| Broadcast area | Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.1 MHz |
| First air date | 4 June 1990 |
| Format | Hot AC |
| Audience share | 8.2% (December 2009, [1]) |
| Power | 500w |
| Owner | John Quinn |
| Website | www.centralfm.co.uk |
Central 103.1 FM is a radio station in the United Kingdom broadcasting to Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire from studios in Falkirk High Street.
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Central FM launched on the 4 June 1990 under the name Centresound broadcasting to the Central and was Scotland's first community radio station and one of a few "incremental" licences issued by the IBA. The company's founding managing director was Colin Lamont AKA Scottie McClue. Within a two month the operation fell into financial difficulties [1] In September its management structure was overhauled[2] and the station was relaunched as Central FM, employing a new business model, a contract agreement with Radio forth to sharing programming, news provision and back office services until 1994.[3] Crittision was made about this agreement, in which it believe it was to improve a commercial operations and "not for the benefit of the local community Central FM's station manager, Mr Brian Hawkins, said: There is more local content now than there ever was. and pointed out the company had received no complaints about output of the station.[4] On 9 December 1993 THE Radio Authority yesterday re-awarded the licence for Stirling and Falkirk to the operator, Central FM, allowing the company to continaul broadcasting until 2003.[5]
Despite the operational changes, the company was still not profitable, and in 1996, Radio Investments Limited increased its holding in the company to 60% and assumed operational control. The effective change in ownership led to the dissolution of the management agreement with Radio Forth, and ultimately to the relocation of the station from the John Player Building (aka the Stirling Enterprise Park) in Stirling to Falkirk.
After a round of radio group consolidation, EMAP plc currently hold 20% of Central FM, with the controlling interest (approx 60% of shares) held by RIL's successor company, The Local Radio Company PLC, and the remainder by independent investors, some of whom were involved in the original service, Centresound.
In 2008, the Local Radio Company sold their shares to the chairman, John Quinn who had been involved with the station for a number of years.
Central FM has won numinous awards over the years:
The station has recently been awarded Scottish Station of the Year (2011) and a Sony Radio Award for best UK Radio Station (audience under 300,000 listeners).
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