| Broadcast area | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.6 MHz, 102.3 MHz, 106.6 MHz |
| First air date | 21 April 1996 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Audience share | 7.7% (September 2009, [1]) |
| Owner | The Local Radio Company |
Spirit FM broadcasts to West Sussex from studios in Dukes Court, Chichester - the place it has been since its launch more than 10 years ago. It was previously only available in the South West of the County but gained complete coverage through a transmitter near Midhurst.
Spirit FM began broadcasting in April 1996 as an independent radio station after a long fight for a "truly local Radio Station for West Sussex". Its original Chairman was David Palmer. The founding MD was Steve Oates. Previous Programme Controllers have included Kevin Dyball, Martin Lee, Ian Meadows, Paul Williams, Bernard Allen and Duncan Barkes.
In 2004 the station was acquired by The Local Radio Company
Spirit FM is part of The Local Radio Company, which in turn is majority-owned by UKRD Group. (They bought a controlling interest during a hostile merger in June 2009). Until that point, Spirit FM was controlled through a joint venture between TLRC and Portsmouth FC. [2]
The joint venture also involved 107.4 The Quay in Portsmouth, (sold by UKRD to Portsmouth FC) and Isle of Wight Radio (sold by UKRD as part of a management buy-out).
Some off-peak programmes were taken as part of a policy of networking with other stations in the Local Radio Company. In mid-2009, a decision was taken at group level to end network shows. Spirit FM's output (and that of the other TLRC stations), is now locally-sourced once again.
Presenters include Kevin King (breakfast), Milly 'more front than Brighton' Luxford, Mark Chivers (drivetime) and Ian Crouch (evening).
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