| Broadcast area | Basildon and East Thurrock |
|---|---|
| Format | Community, Radio |
| Owner | Gateway Community Media CIC |
Gateway 97.8 (formerly branded as Gateway FM) is a community radio station; serving the areas of Basildon and East Thurrock, England. Since forming in 2006 as 'Gateway FM' the station has broadcast six 28-day restricted service licence broadcasts on 87.7FM, as well as on line webcasting.
The company was officially formed on 29 June 2006, and is a Community Interest Company (CIC). The station launched as a re-branded 'Gateway 97.8' on the 25th of September 2010. Since the launch, the station has expanded, gaining more members and more appraisal in the local community.
The station provides a publicity spot for local bands looking to gain airtime. Some notable local bands were Kuda Bux, C.O.D.A (Now ProRata), and Minus IQ. The station also formed a good relationship with 2010 UK Eurovision entrant Josh Dubovie, through his appearances at several roadshows, presented by the station. Gateway 97.8 also provides radio training courses for local disabled people, children and the general public all free of charge after the payment of a yearly £1 membership fee.
Pat Sharp, and Tony Blackburn have presented shows on the station.[1],
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The station currently has three studio locations, several outside broadcast inject points, and a total of six actual studios, with four in the Eastgate Shopping Centre:
The station has the facilities to be able to host and teach the OCN level 1, and level 2 qualification in radio broadcasting.
On 24 February 2010, Gateway 97.8 was awarded a five-year community broadcasting licence by Ofcom. The station started its 28-day testing period on 28 August 2010 and launched on 25 September 2010. Since then the station has broadcast with essentially no interruption to its service, other than time out for engineering.
Gateway 97.8 is known locally for its specialist shows, with content suitable to some minority groups. Examples of these in the past have been the Polish Show, African show, and School's Out.
the 'Live & Loud' show on Sunday evenings. It provides airtime for local bands or musicians who want to get heard by a large audience, often with live performances in the studio.
The station has received many accolades, mainly that of the Princess Diana 'award of excellence', and for other contributions to the community.
On May 17th 2011, the station was visited by HRH Duke of Gloucester who was in the area also opening the new Basildon sporting village in the local Gloucester park. He also appeared on 'Good Afternoon' a programme hosted by the chair of the station, for around 10 minutes.
Moments prior to this he presented three Princess Diana 'award of excellence' certificates to three volunteers at the station - to add to the considerable amount of award holders already at the station.
The station has plans to expand into a full media "hub" through the addition of space, which will become a television studio and room for production. No plans have formally been published yet.