| Broadcast area | Barnsley |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 97.1 and 102.0 MHz |
| First air date | 5 October 2003 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Audience share | 11.30% (December 2009, [1]) |
| Owner | Lincs FM Group |
Dearne FM is an Independent Local Radio station which broadcasts to the Barnsley area. The station is owned by the Lincs FM Group (based in Lincoln), whose stations take more of an interest in their local areas than other larger radio companies, and offer a wider type of music.
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The station was based at Zenith Park on Whaley Road in the north-west of Barnsley. As a result of cost cutting, Dearne FM recently co-located with sister stations Trax FM and Rother FM at studios on White Rose Way in Doncaster. Sister station Ridings FM remains at Zenith Park. Five other companies competed for Barnsley's FM radio licence.
The station can be heard on 102 FM (near Ardsley) in Barnsley and the Dearne Valley, and on 97.1 FM (near Hoylandswaine close to the A628 and A629 roundabout) for Penistone on Hunger Hill. The Ardsley transmitter also broadcasts Hallam FM on 102.9 FM, with whom Dearne FM mainly competes. The 102 FM signal is more powerful than 97.1 FM.
Dearne FM appeals to a family audience playing a mix of current chart hits and the best songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s combined with news, information and competitions.
The station's weekday breakfast show is networked and shared with Rotherham's Rother FM. Apart from the weekday breakfast show, all programming on Dearne FM is pre-recorded automation.