| City of license | Worthing |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Worthing, Shoreham, Littlehampton |
| Slogan | Worthing's feel good station |
| Frequency | 107.7 FM |
| First air date | 5 May 2003 |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| Owner | Media Sound Holdings |
| Sister stations | Bright FM, Arrow FM, Sovereign FM |
| Website | splashfm.com |
Splash FM is a United Kingdom radio station, based in Worthing, West Sussex, and operated by Media Sound Holdings Ltd. The station plays a selection of hit songs from the last forty years, and offers regular updates on local news, sport, travel and events. The station also works with a number of local charities and organisations, and can regularly be seen broadcasting from events in their transmission area.
The station serves the towns of Worthing, Shoreham and Littlehampton - plus the many surrounding villages.
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The station was created in May 2003 when it won the broadcast licence for the Worthing area. Veteran television and radio broadcaster David Hamilton broadcast the first show live from the studios within Worthing's Guildbourne Centre.
The original presenters at the time of launch were:
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Simon Osborne |
Pete McIntosh |
In April 2008 the station became part of Media Sound Holdings, after merging with neighbouring radio station Mid Sussex-based Bright FM.[1]
In June 2009, Media Sound Holdings added Arrow FM in Hastings and Sovereign FM in Eastbourne to their collection from TLRC.[2] The station is now branded as a "feel good" station, like the other three stations owned by Media Sound Holdings.
In November 2010, Ofcom approved Media Sound Holdings's application to share all content across their four stations, given that the stations "already share all programming outside of breakfast, so these changes will not substantially alter the character of the service."[3]
Splash FM hosts a hugely popular open-air concert each summer in Worthing's Steyne Gardens, attracting thousands of locals and tourists alike. Originally a free concert with major funding from a locally based national company, the event has evolved over the last couple of years into "The Garden Party" - a tribute festival held over one or two nights, with affordable ticket prices, and a mix of tribute acts.
For the second year running, the 2011 event was held over two days on 22 July and 23 July, and featured the following tribute acts:[4]
During the 2010 party, Worthing Borough Council received twelve complaints of excessive noise and vibration. The council had agreed a noise limit before the event of 66dB, but on both nights levels measured 90dB and officers were “shocked at the level of exceedance of the prescribed noise limits”. Permission for 2011 required the organisers to appoint new sound engineers and work with the council's team to keep noise to a "reasonable minimum." If noise in 2011 exceeds the agreed level the council could be asked not to approve further concerts.[5][6]
On 11 January 2011, breakfast show host Chris Copsey died suddenly. It is believed he collapsed in a Sainsbury's store, just hours after presenting his breakfast show.
Chris (also known as Coppo) had been on the airwaves across Sussex for over 25 years. He was a former presenter for the breakfast show on Southern Sound, soon to become Southern FM.[7]
In 2009, shortly after the Heart brand took over Southern FM, Chris moved to Media Sound Holdings to present the mid-morning show and revive his 'Retro Show' on Sunday afternoons. He moved to do the breakfast show shortly after that. As well as Splash FM, Chris could also be heard on the other three stations owned by Media Sound Holdings.[8]
Chris leaves behind his wife Yvonne and two children.[9]
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