Bute FM is a Community Radio station for the Isle of Bute, broadcasting in stereo on 96.5 FM[1] and simultaneously broadcasting online via a live internet stream here.
For almost 100 hours per week the station broadcasts programmes produced by volunteer presenters, with the remaining airtime occupied by an automated music playout system. The station operates on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of the community, and is dependent on advertising, local fundraising and donations for its continued existence.
Programming
Bute FM broadcasts a wide range of musical styles, including: Pop, Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock and Heavy Metal; with music from every decade since the 50's. The programme schedule includes daily breakfast, mid-morning and lunchtime shows each weekday, with a range of individual music and specialist programmes in the afternoons and evenings.
Schedule
Monday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0800 – 1000 |
Breakfast Bites on Bute FM |
| 1000 – 1200 |
All In A Day's Work with Alan Donald |
| 1200 – 1300 |
The Schooling at Lunchtime |
| 1300 – 1400 |
The Week In Holyrood |
| 1400 – 1600 |
Dylan Petrie |
| 1600 - 1800 |
Sarah Childs / Tommy Hunter |
| 1800 - 2000 |
Josh Bartsch |
| 2000 – 2100 |
Jazz 'n' Stuff with Hedley Martin |
| 2100 – 0800 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Tuesday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0800 – 1000 |
Breakfast Bites with Robert Maitland |
| 1000 – 1200 |
All In A Day's Work with Alan Donald |
| 1200 – 1400 |
Sean Coyle at Lunchtime |
| 1400 – 1600 |
Everything's Tuesday |
| 1600 - 1700 |
Rowan Bussey & friends |
| 1700 - 1900 |
Richie Cuthbertson |
| 1900 – 2100 |
Gordon Hillis: Try Whistling This |
| 2100 – 0800 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Wednesday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0800 – 1000 |
Breakfast Bites on Bute FM |
| 1000 – 1200 |
All In A Day's Work with Alan Donald including Lost The Plot at 11am |
| 1200 – 1400 |
Sean Coyle at Lunchtime |
| 1400 – 1500 |
Special Show |
| 1500 – 1700 |
In Rock with Robert Maitland |
| 1700 - 1900 |
Isra - Apocalypse Show |
| 1900 - 2100 |
Jimmy Mac's Scooter Show |
| 2100 - 2200 |
The Week In Holyrood (replay) |
| 2200 – 0800 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Thursday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0800 – 1000 |
Breakfast Bites with Robert Maitland |
| 1000 – 1200 |
All In A Day's Work with Alan Donald |
| 1200 – 1400 |
Bill Sanger at Lunchtime |
| 1400 – 1600 |
Peter Hamilton |
| 1600 - 1800 |
Jamie & friends |
| 1800 - 2000 |
Sean Coyle |
| 2000 – 2200 |
Isra - Songs & Stories |
| 2200 – 0800 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Friday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0800 – 1000 |
Breakfast Bites on Bute FM |
| 1000 – 1200 |
All In A Day's Work with Alan Donald |
| 1200 – 1400 |
Stewart Laird at Lunchtime |
| 1400 – 1600 |
Jimmy Mac |
| 1600 - 1800 |
Young Cameron |
| 1800 - 1900 |
Dylan & friends |
| 1900 – 2200 |
Sleazy Marty's Rock On The Rock Show |
| 2200 – 1000 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Saturday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 1000 – 1200 |
Saturday Brunch with John Carroll |
| 1200 – 1300 |
Talk Of The Town |
| 1300 – 1800 |
Iain Quinn |
| 1800 – 2000 |
Josh Bartsch |
| 2000 - 2200 |
Jamie Sykes-Sullivan |
| 2200 - 0000 |
Overkill with Darren McEwan |
| 0000 – 0900 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
Sunday
| Time |
Main presenter(s)/programme |
| 0900 – 0930 |
The Sunday Half-Hour |
| 0930 – 1200 |
Sunday Brunch with Iain Mack |
| 1200 – 1400 |
Sunday M.A.S.S. |
| 1400 – 1600 |
Folk In Focus with Liz Chandler |
| 1600 – 1800 |
Jazz It Up with Jenny Brown |
| 1800 - 2000 |
John Carroll's Big Band Show |
| 2000 – 0800 |
Jukebox (Automated Playout) |
History
Bute FM launched at noon on Wednesday 15 July 2009, with I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, by Richard and Linda Thompson, the first song played on the new station's opening programme, hosted by former Buteman reporter Mike Blair. In October 2009, Bute FM also launched an online "Listen live" streaming service, accessible from a button on its homepage, and is now also in the Reciva database for Internet radios. Over time, a "bitter feud"[2] developed, leading to the August 2010 "sacking" of director and breakfast show presenter Mike Blair,[2] followed by 12[3] other volunteers.
Subsequently, several "claims" were made in the national press[2] and complaints were made to regulator Ofcom.[4] In November, Ofcom said it was still minded to find the station in breach of its licence because of the late appearance of the committee and in December 2010 Ofcom ruled that Bute Community Media were in breach of their licence for not being accountable to their target community.[5] BCM had never created a Community Focus Group, and the Steering Group had never had members who were not also directors of the company[5] despite this having been "agreed with the licensee before the station [started] broadcasting" when Mike Blair was a director.[4]
It was reported on Thursday 26 September 2013 that Bute FM had entered into merger discussions with a Bute-based internet only radio station, whose members "decided not to proceed" because they "did not feel...[it] was possible in the current circumstances".[6] Within 24 hours, Alan Donald had his "appointment as a Director of Bute Community Media Limited...terminated with immediate effect" according to the station's managing director.[7]
References
External links
Coordinates: 55°50′11″N 5°3′11″W / 55.83639°N 5.05306°W / 55.83639; -5.05306