BBC Radio Bristol

BBC Radio Bristol
City Bath and Bristol
Broadcast area Bath and Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and North East Somerset
Frequency FM 94.9 MHz (Dundry), 103.6 MHz (Hutton), 104.6 MHz (Bath)
DAB
Freeview channel 719
First air date September 1970
Format Local news, talk and music
Language(s) English
Owner BBC Local Radio,
BBC West
Website BBC Radio Bristol

BBC Radio Bristol is the BBC Local Radio service for the English cities of Bath and Bristol and the surrounding area, which includes South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and North East Somerset. Launched in September 1970,[1] it broadcasts from Broadcasting House in Bristol on FM frequencies 94.9 MHz (Dundry), 104.6 MHz (Bath), 103.6 MHz (Weston-super-Mare), and on DAB. The AM transmitter at Mangotsfield on 1548 kHz was closed in February 2016.

The Mendip transmitter, near Wells, used to broadcast BBC Radio Bristol on 95.5 MHz over a very large area, but from 3 December 2007, this was transferred to the new BBC Somerset service. BBC Somerset and BBC Radio Bristol share many programmes, mainly during off-peak hours. Since the BBC relaunched BBC Somerset on FM, BBC Radio Bristol has been left free to concentrate editorially on Bristol, Bath and the rest of the former Avon area. On 11 December 2014, BBC Radio Bristol launched on Freeview channel 719, on the PSB 1 multiplex from the Mendip transmitter and its TV relays.[2]

Radio Bristol's main commercial competitors in its broadcast area are Heart West Country on 96.3 and 103 FM, Sam FM and The Breeze on 107.2 and 107.9 MHz.

Programming

Emma Britton presents the popular weekday breakfast show from 06.30 - 09.00, where she's joined by guests and contributors from right across the West Country. John Darvall's mid morning show has become the recognised platform for discussion and debate on the topical issues of the day. Steve Yabsley's unique lunchtime show is full of laughs. Laura Rawlings has a mix of the latest news for the West, together with entertainment, including music and guests between 16.00 - 18.00. There's local sport five days a week from 18.00 - 19.00.

The weekend highlights include the award winning Clueless with Richard Lewis on Sunday between 10.00 - 13.00, the show which asks listeners to help two teams crack a series of clues as they make their way across the West. Doctor, comedian and broadcaster Dr Phil Hammond hosts the popular Saturday Surgery on Saturday morning between 09.00 - 12.00. BBC Points West presenter and reporter Ali Vowles is the regular host of the Saturday Breakfast show between 06.00 - 09.00.

The majority of the station's programming is produced and broadcast from Bristol, including some regional programming for the BBC West and BBC South West regions. As with all BBC Local Radio stations, it also airs the networked weekday evening shows, originating from BBC Radio Leeds and produced independently by Wire Free Productions. During the station's downtime, BBC Radio Bristol simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live overnight. It also airs 24-hour local programming from 5am on Friday until 1am on Monday.

[3]

Notable presenters

Local presenters
Networked presenters

Notable past presenters

Kate Adie produced and presented programmes for BBC Radio Bristol in the 1970s alongside Michael Buerk.[1] Theirs were the first two voices to be heard on the station. Chris Morris was also part of the team, presenting and producing the weekend show No Known Cure. Other past presenters include Susan Osman who also co-presented Points West for 14 years, and Fiona Lamdin. Another notable presenter during the early 70s was Kenny Everett, who pre-recorded his shows from his farmhouse in Sussex.[4]

Controversy

Wikinews has related news: BBC Radio Bristol presenter fired over 'racist' phone call

In November 2008, BBC Radio Bristol presenter Sam Mason was dismissed following an incident in which she made alleged racist remarks made in an off-air phone conversation during a weekday afternoon show. Whilst phoning a taxi firm in order to send her 14-year-old daughter from Mason's Clifton home to her grandparents' home, she was said to have asked the company not to send an Asian driver.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Radio Bristol - station history". BBC. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "BBC launches Radio Bristol on Freeview". a516digital. 10 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Wikipedia
  4. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "Kenny Everett: The BBC Local Radio Years press clippings - British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  5. ↑ Coles, John (11 November 2008). "BBC girl: Don’t send me an Asian cabbie". London: The Sun. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  6. ↑ "'Racism' row BBC host is replaced". BBC News. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2009.

Coordinates: 51°27′40″N 2°36′29″W / 51.4611°N 2.6080°W / 51.4611; -2.6080

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