Pirate FM
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| Pirate FM | |
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| Broadcast area | Cornwall |
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| Branding | Pirate FM |
| Frequency | 102.2 MHz, 102.8 MHz |
| First air date | 3 April 1992 |
| Format | Hot AC |
| Audience share | 15.8% (March 2009, [1]) |
| Owner | UKRD Group |
Pirate FM is one of the Independent Local Radio stations for Cornwall. It plays a range of music styles from 60's to present day.
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[edit] Background
The station was launched in 1992 under the name of Pirate FM 102 with the voice of breakfast presenter Roger Day (a well-known ex-pirate DJ from Radio Caroline and Radio North Sea International). The station's launch Chief Executive was Mike Powell who specified digital technology so advanced at the time that it was featured on the BBC science programme, Tomorrow's World.
Much of the early success of the station was due to the technical expertise of the first Managing Director, Richard Lawley who was also a graduate electronic engineer. He was succeeded by the station's initial sales director, Joseph Swain.
Many awards have been picked up by presenters, directors and news coverage. A notable one is The Sony Radio Academy Awards where it received the gold award - for station of the year in the 300,000-1,000,000 transmitter service area category - in the years 2003 and 2006.
In September 2005 the station's branding changed from The Southwest's Pirate FM to Cornwall's Pirate FM. Listeners appear to have increased in Cornwall following the move, however it reduced their audience in West Devon (including Plymouth, where Pirate FM had a separate office and studio prior to the rebrand). From "Quarter 4" 2006 Pirate FM's survey area (TSA) was reduced by removing Plymouth & most of West Devon, thus reducing the potential audience significantly but focusing on the core Cornish audience. Pirate FM remains as the number one station by audience reach despite the increased competition.
The Pirate Trust is the charitable arm of Pirate FM that raises thousands of pounds yearly for good causes in Cornwall with their 'Cornwall in Need Appeal'. Yearly fundraisers include the 'Garden Party' and the all day on air & on line auction known as 'Radiothon'. Radiothon [2007][2] and Radiothon [2008][3] were both run in collaboration with free classifieds website itsmymarket.com
[edit] Presentation and Management
Since 2001, Pirate FM's Station Manager/Managing Director has been Beverley Warne. The Management team consists of Beverley Warne (Station Manager/Managing Director), Bob McCreadie (Programme Director), Andrea Hichens (Sales) and Tristan Hunkin (Head of News).
The weekday Presentation team consists of Bob McCreadie (Breakfast), Tristan Hunkin (Breakfast), Allen Fleckney (Morning/Early Afternoon), Neil Caddy (Drivetime), James Dundon (Evenings) with James Martin covering when one of these presenters are absent.
[edit] News
Pirate FM has its own news centre which produces local and national bulletins between 6am and 6pm Monday-Friday and 7am to 2pm on weekends and certain bank holidays.
The news bulletins are broadcast every hour on the hour with additional bulletins at 6.30am, 7.30am, 8.30am and 5.30pm.
[edit] News staff
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Editor |
Deputy Editor |
Broadcast Journalists |
[edit] Transmission Details
Pirate FM's two transmitters broadcast different advertising output. The Redruth transmitter on 102.8 MHz FM includes advertisements for the mid and west of the county of Cornwall, and the Caradon Hill transmitter (on 102.2 MHz FM) covers advertising for the East and North of the county, as well as covering Plymouth and West Devon as well. However, all other output, including news, talk and music is identical on both transmitters.
see also: Cornish media
[edit] Branding
Pirate FM's original jingles were sung by JAM productions, Dallas in 1992, which included the famous "Tamar bridges" Cornwall Theme Tune, which used to be played after Midnight and before 6am every day!
A new jingle package was first aired in December 2005, made by jingleproduction company IQ Beats. It was a re-sing of a previous package made for Heart 106.2 in London.
Its strapline is Love More Music Love Pirate FM. Previously More Music for Cornwall,Real Music Variety, Better Variety, More Music, The World's greatest Music and Greatest Memories, Latest Hits have been some of the straplines. Another strapline being used until recently was Love Cornwall, Love Pirate FM At launch, one line used on air tended to be The Latest Technology, and the best records too
