Manx Radio

Manx Radio
(Radio Manx Ltd.)

The Manx Radio logo since 2009.
City Douglas
Broadcast area Isle of Man
Slogan The Nation's Station
Frequency 1368 kHz AM, 89.0 MHz FM, 89.5 MHz FM, 97.2 MHz FM, 103.7 MHz FM
First air date since 29 June 1964
(53 years, 51 days)
Format General/Entertainment
Language(s) English/Manx
Owner Isle of Man Treasury (Main shareholder)
Sister stations Radio TT (Only on-air during
the Isle of Man TT races)
Website http://www.manxradio.com

Manx Radio (legally Radio Manx Ltd.[1]) (Manx: Radio Vannin) is the national commercial radio station for the Isle of Man.

The station began broadcasting on 29 June 1964, almost ten years before commercial radio was licensed in the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man, having its own government and laws, was not subject to the rules prohibiting commercial broadcasting in the UK. However, the Manx Government still had to apply to the UK's General Post Office for a frequency and for permission to broadcast. First requested in 1960, a licence was eventually granted in May 1964.

The station was allocated an FM frequency of 89.0 MHz and a comparatively low power of 50 watts. In October 1964, an additional frequency of 1600 kHz AM was allocated to the station to provide greater coverage, although again at a limited power of 50 watts.

Manx Radio broadcasts mainly in English with a few hours a week devoted to broadcasting in Manx. During the Isle of Man TT some programmes are broadcast in other European languages, such as French and German.

Current frequencies

Manx Radio now broadcasts on 1368 kHz AM to the whole island; 89.0 MHz (from Snaefell) for the north of the island; 97.2 MHz FM (from Douglas/Carnane) for the south of the island; and 103.7 MHz (from Jurby) for the island's hills. Additional low-power transmitters cover Ramsey and Peel on a frequency of 89.5 MHz.

Company structure

Manx Radio is the island's public service broadcaster. It was originally run by the Isle of Man Broadcasting Commission, a state-owned body, under the name Isle of Man Broadcasting Company. In 1980 the company was moved to an arms-length operation using the name Radio Manx Limited (the on-air name did not change). Since 1994, the shares in Radio Manx Limited have been held by the Manx Radio Trust, further distancing the station from Tynwald. Nevertheless, the company remains responsible to Tynwald and its operations are reviewed annually.

Radio TT

During the Isle of Man TT races, the 1368 kHz frequency becomes Manx Radio TT, providing news and results on the races. The service is also available on 87.9 FM in Douglas and 100.6 FM in Sulby. Regulars Chris Williams, Chris Kinley and Tim Glover can all be heard each day, John Moss presents the Radio TT news bulletins.

In May 2012, Radio TT was re-branded as Manx Radio TT 365 to signify that the station was available to listen to throughout the year via the internet. The service incorporated archive commentary recordings with classic music tracks, as well as the TT fortnight broadcasts. However after less than a year the service was subsequently closed.

Manx Radio TT recommenced its usual service in May 2013. In 2015 and 2016, the service was broadcast as Vauxhall Radio TT.

Presenters

English language presenters

Manx language presenters

Manx Radio news

Manx Radio employs ten broadcast journalists, responsible for hourly news bulletins and the flagship thrice-daily programme Mandate, broadcast at breakfast (7:30-8:30am), lunchtime (1-1:15pm) and drivetime (5-5:15pm).

News staff

Transmitter reuse

A three year deal between United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) and Manx Radio saw UCB broadcast via Manx Radio from 5 October 1987 for four hours nightly from 10pm when the regular programming was off air.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ Manx Radio. "How Manx Radio is run...". Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "UCB Cross Rhythms: A marriage made in heaven".
  3. ↑ http://ucb.cmhosts.net/index.cfm?itemid=2301&sectionid=2

Coordinates: 54°08′55″N 4°28′27″W / 54.1485°N 4.4742°W / 54.1485; -4.4742

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