Central 103.1 FM

103.1 Central FM

Broadcast area	Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
Frequency	103.1 MHz
First air date	4 June 1990
Format	Hot AC
Audience share	8.2% (December 2009, )
Power	500w
Transmitter coordinates	56°04′18″N 4°03′37″W / 56.0716°N 4.0604°W / 56.0716; -4.0604Coordinates: 56°04′18″N 4°03′37″W / 56.0716°N 4.0604°W / 56.0716; -4.0604
Owner	John Quinn
Website	www.centralfm.co.uk

Central 103.1 FM is a radio station in the United Kingdom broadcasting to Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire from custom-built studios in Munro Road, Stirling. The station previously broadcast from studios in Falkirk High Street between September 1998 and October 2012

Station history

Central FM launched on 4 June 1990 under the name Centresound broadcasting to the Central and was Scotland's first community radio station and one of a few "incremental" licences issued by the IBA. The company's founding managing director was the broadcaster and former banker Colin Lamont AKA Scottie McClue. Within the first two months of launch, the community based operation fell into financial difficulties as its board struggled to attract sufficient investment to maintain it as a standalone operation.

After a valiant, well-documented struggle to establish the fledgeling business in the recession, Colin Lamont left within a year of his September 1989 arrival in order to facilitate re-structuring of the business in partnership with another established ILR contractor. ^[1] With new investment by Radio ForthThe Centresound board resigned en masse and the station's management structure was overhauled.^[2] The station was relaunched as Central FM, employing a new business model, a contract agreement with Radio Forth agreed to sharing programming, news provision and back office services until 1994.^[3] Criticism was made about this agreement, in which it believed it was to improve a commercial operations and "not for the benefit of the local community" Central FM's station manager, Mr Brian Hawkins, said: There is more local content now than there ever was. and pointed out the company had received no complaints about output of the station.^[4] On 9 December 1993 THE Radio Authority yesterday re-awarded the licence for Stirling and Falkirk to the operator, Central FM, allowing the company to continue broadcasting until 2003.^[5]

Despite the operational changes, the company was still not profitable, and in 1996, Radio Investments Limited increased its holding in the company to 60% and assumed operational control. The effective change in ownership led to the dissolution of the management agreement with Radio Forth, and ultimately to the relocation of the station from the John Player Building (aka the Stirling Enterprise Park) in Stirling to Falkirk.

After a round of radio group consolidation, EMAP plc currently hold 20% of Central FM, with the controlling interest (approx 60% of shares) held by RIL's successor company, The Local Radio Company PLC, and the remainder by independent investors, some of whom were involved in the original service, Centresound.

In 2008, the Local Radio Company sold their shares to the chairman, John Quinn who had been involved with the station for a number of years.

On 22nd October 2012 Central FM relocated to a new studio site at Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling with the official launch on 14th December 2012.

A few weeks later, the station announced they had secured The Football Phone In with Peter Martin and legendary footballer Alan Rough. The show had previously been on Real Radio Scotland.

August 2013, Central FM on DAB and now covers 2.6 million potential listeners across Central Scotland.

Awards

Central FM has won numerous awards over the years:

• Winners of the 2008 Radio Academy Nations and Regions Awards in the Scotland area ^[6]

The station has recently been awarded Scottish Station of the Year (2011) and a Sony Radio Award for best UK Radio Station (audience under 300,000 listeners).

Presenters

References

• Monks, Laura. "Central FM moves studios". FeaturesExec Media Database.