Power FM (or 103.2 Power FM) is an Independent Local Radio station owned by GCap Media (formerly by Capital Radio Group) and based in South Hampshire, England, UK. Broadcasting on 103.2 MHz FM, the station is part of GCap Media's One Network, and is one of the South of England's most popular radio stations. The station is based in Segensworth, near Fareham in Hampshire, along with its sister stations, Ocean FM and Capital Gold (Hampshire). Power FM also broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio and online [1]. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... South Hampshire is a term used mainly to refer to the conurbation formed by the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton and their suburbs, in southern Hampshire, England. ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... FreQuency is a music video game developed by Harmonix and published by SCEI. It was released in November 2001. ... A radio format or programming format describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Top 40 (radio format). ... GCap Media plc is a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Logo used by the Independent Broadcasting Authority for promoting Independent Local Radio services. ... GCap Media plc is a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. ... Capital Radios headquarters Capital Radio was, until May 2005, a London-based British radio group. ... South Hampshire is a term used mainly to refer to the conurbation formed by the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton and their suburbs, in southern Hampshire, England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... MegaHertz (MHz) is the name given to one million (106) Hertz, a measure of frequency. ... FM broadcasting is a broadcast technology invented by Edwin Howard Armstrong that uses frequency modulation (FM) to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. ... Arms of Fareham Borough Council Fareham Creek today, looking towards Gosport The market town of Fareham lies in the south east of Hampshire, England, between the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, roughly in the centre of the South Hampshire conurbation. ... // Overview Ocean FM is a British commercial radio station serving South Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight primarily for Portsmouth and Southampton. ... Capital Gold is an oldies radio station which started in London in 1988 on Capital Radios AM frequency, as the British Government urged radio stations to end simulcasting (broadcasting the same programmes simultaneously on FM and AM) and threatening to remove one of their frequencies if simulcasting continued. ... Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), also known as Eureka 147, is a technology for broadcasting of audio using digital radio transmission. ...

History

Ocean Sound's predecessor, Radio Victory provided the first local radio service in the South of England in 1975, with its small transmission area around Portsmouth. The station was disliked by many listeners and when the Independent Broadcasting Authority re-advertised the Portsmouth licence to include Southampton and Winchester, it lost out to a new consortium called Ocean Sound Ltd. Ocean Sound proposed an expanded coverage area taking in Southampton. Radio Victory ceased operations in June 1986, a couple of weeks earlier than the expiry date of its franchise, with a test transmission informing listeners of the unprecedented situation. Ocean Sound took over programme provision in 1986 from a new purpose-built broadcast unit in a business park outside Fareham, Hampshire. The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television (ITV and Channel 4 - cable and satellite television were the responsibility of the Cable Authority) and radio broadcasts. ... Arms of Fareham Borough Council Fareham Creek today, looking towards Gosport The market town of Fareham lies in the south east of Hampshire, England, between the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, roughly in the centre of the South Hampshire conurbation. ...

Ocean Sound debuted on 12 October 1986, initially with two services - Ocean Sound (West), covering Southampton and Winchester, and Ocean Sound (East) serving Portsmouth and the surrounding area. Ocean Sound (West) used 103.2 MHz FM and 1557 kHz AM. Ocean Sound (East) used 97.5 MHz FM and 1170 kHz AM. The East service underwent a change of frequency which was inherited by Radio Victory (from 95.0 MHz to 97.5 MHz FM). Both services shared daytime output with specialist programmes broadcasting uniquely on each service - for instance on Saturday afternoons, an Isle of Wight programme with Jean-Paul Hansford would air on Ocean Sound (West), while an alternative would air on Ocean Sound (East). is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... A megahertz (MHz) is one million (106) hertz, a measure of frequency. ... A kilohertz (kHz) is a unit of frequency equal to 1,000 hertz (1,000 cycles per second). ...

On 6th December 1987, a separate service was provided for Winchester and the surrounding areas on 96.7 MHz FM, entitled Ocean Sound (North) - The Light FM. It had its own programmes from 6am-2pm (later, the 5-9pm show was also separate) but relayed the Ocean Sound East service at other times. This was prior to the enforced termination of simulcasting programmes on FM and AM, which would see all the services transformed. A simulcast takes place when a program or event is simultaneously broadcast across more than one broadcast platform at the same time. ...

The reason that two stations launched, rather than an expanded solo station is that then Managing Director David Lucas identified two potential audiences: one familiar with commercial radio (in the East area), and one largely acquainted with the BBC (the West area, of which the majority of local listening was to BBC Radio Solent). Ocean Sound (East) therefore sounded livelier than its West counterpart, which took on a more softer sound. BBC Radio Solent is the BBC Local Radio service for the Isle of Wight and the English counties of Hampshire and Dorset. ...

The new stations were a refreshing change, as listeners to Radio Victory had lamented its lack of professionalism and a coherent, agreeable sound, both of which were greatly improved. The slogan used at the time - "We're on your wavelength" suggested this.

New Studios

Once the franchise was won, Ocean Sound needed brand-new state of the art studios in Segensworth West, a district outside Fareham, beside the M27 motorway in Hampshire. This move to base themselves outside the two major cities of Southampton and Portsmouth was a strategic one, so as not to appear sounding biased in favour of either city and to remove any lingering associations with Radio Victory, a poorly received radio station primarily focused on Portsmouth. Arms of Fareham Borough Council Fareham Creek today, looking towards Gosport The market town of Fareham lies in the south east of Hampshire, England, between the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, roughly in the centre of the South Hampshire conurbation. ... Looking down onto the M27 from Portsdown Hill. ...

The following is an excerpt of an 1982 interview with then Managing Director David Lucas in an Independent Broadcasting Authority publication: The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television (ITV and Channel 4 - cable and satellite television were the responsibility of the Cable Authority) and radio broadcasts. ...

"The original plan was to have studio buildings and offices in both Portsmouth and Southampton,' says Lucas. 'But that is an unnecessarily complicated way of doing the job. The important thing is for the programmes themselves to provide a strong and relevant local identity. Contribution studios have been established in both Portsmouth and Southampton to provide direct city-centre access to the airwaves for interviewees and guests."

"...But Lucas, like some other radio managers, wonders whether the high standards of IBA studio specifications are always necessary. 'A significant proportion of studio costs comes in sound-proofing them'; says Lucas. 'Would it really matter if the listener heard the occasional lorry rumbling past outside? With most stations operating on close mic techniques anyway, peripheral noise can be minor'".

Once the studios were complete, staff needed to be hired - almost from scratch. Sales managers and a Head of News were all recruited, ironically from Radio Victory. Construction of the new studios took under a year and finished in time for the station's launch in 1986.

The launch of Power FM

1987 saw Ocean Sound undergo a massive reorganisation of its frequencies and services, coinciding with the IBA's demand to end simulcasting on FM and AM. The main changes were: The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the regulatory body in the United Kingdom for commercial television (ITV and Channel 4 - cable and satellite television were the responsibility of the Cable Authority) and radio broadcasts. ... A simulcast takes place when a program or event is simultaneously broadcast across more than one broadcast platform at the same time. ...

• Ocean Sound (West) on FM would become The Power FM
• Ocean Sound (East) on FM would become FM-only and simply renamed Ocean Sound
• Ocean Sound on AM would become The Gold AM

with a new addition:

• Ocean Sound (North) on FM to be known as The Light FM.

Power FM launched on Sunday 4 December 1988 at 10 am. Power FM was designed as a direct competitor to BBC Radio 1 in the area, with a heavy rotation of chart and Top 40 pop and mainstream dance, with quick hourly news and information. With Ocean Sound there would be significantly more speech, coupled with slightly older adult contemporary music. Power FM would be the opposite, with a music-intensive approach designed to get at the emerging demand for chart music which wasn't available locally. The opening presenter line-up included Pete Wardman, Bernie Simmons, Chris Kelly, Adrian Lovett, Chris Pearson and Judy Jones. is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... This page redirects from Radio 1. See Radio 1 (disambiguation). ... Top 40 is a radio format based on frequent repetition of songs from a constantly-updated list of the forty best-selling singles. ... Chris Pearson was born in Dartford, Kent and is a radio presenter on the worldwide BFBS radio network. ...

Mergers, takeovers and relaunches

Sussex radio station Southern Sound looked upon Ocean Sound as a potential takeover target, citing its location in a prosperous and commercially attractive area of England. So in 1992 a merger was agreed forming Southern Radio plc, which would see further changes to Ocean Sound: Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. ... Southern FM Categories: Station stubs | UK Radio Stations ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

• Power FM would continue
• Ocean Sound and The Light FM would unite as Ocean Sound - Classic Hits (later abbreviated just to Ocean FM)
• The Gold AM would merge with Southern Sound's AM frequencies to create South Coast Radio.

In 1994 Capital Radio, looking for expansion possibilities, opted to purchase Southern Radio plc, which included Power FM. This led to more changes, this time to the on-air sound rather than name changes. Whilst sister-station Ocean FM would take on a softer sound, Power FM took on Capital FM's long-established, successful and highly-polished sound, with news bulletins at the top of the hour finishing with the sentence "And that's the way it is at <time check>". This article is about the British radio station. ... This article is about the British radio station. ...

Power FM today

103.2 Power FM remains a popular radio station, despite South Hampshire having a higher proportion of adults, rather than its target 18-25 age range. Now part of the One Network group of stations, it still has the high-energy sound listeners have come to expect, but with additional resources for programming - regularly linking up with nearby 2CR FM in Bournemouth and 2-Ten FM in Reading, along with the rest of the GCap "One Network" for Entertainment Weekly (formerly Seven), chart show Hit40UK and Late Night Love with Graham Torrington. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 2CR FM (Two Counties Radio) is a British Independent Local Radio station broadcasting from a former carpet shop in Southcote Road in Bournemouth. ... 2-Ten FM is an Independent Local Radio station serving Berkshire and North Hampshire with studios in Reading. ...

Power FM went digital in 2003, airing on DAB digital radio in South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, along with sister stations Ocean FM, Capital Gold, Capital Disney and XFM.; competitors Wave 105, The Saint, and BBC Radio Solent. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), also known as Eureka 147, is a technology for broadcasting of audio using digital radio transmission. ... Capital Disney was a British digital radio station aimed at 8 to 16 year olds. ... Xfm logo Xfm is a brand of commercial radio stations focused on current and unsigned alternative music and owned by GCap Media in the United Kingdom. ... Wave 105 is a UK regional commercial radio station broadcasting across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and part of West Sussex. ... The Saint is an independent local radio station for Southampton and Southern Hampshire. ...

Toni Phillips left to join Capital FM in July 2007 shortly after Rick Jackson and Donna Alos left the Breakfast show. This left a slightly remodled schedule, which is expected to last for much of the summer. Maximum Bob and Katie Mattin are hosting the breakfast, Dan Morrisey is hosting a later mid morning slot (before he himself leaves for BRMB). Freelancer Callan is covering an extended midmorning show and Ben Glover takes on a merged evening and drivetime show.

Presenters

Power FM's current presenter lineup as of July 2007 comprises of:

• Katie Mattin
• Graham Torrington
• Ben Glover
• Adam Newstead
• Zoe & Gillies

The Breakfast Show

The Power FM Breakfast Show was presented by Rick Jackson, Donna Alos and Maximum Bob every morning from 6am to 9am between 1996 to 2007. It is Power's flagship programme and is only one of two programmes to feature live traffic reports. This previously took place from the Flying Eye sponsored by O2, which flew at 2500 feet above the South of England in a light aircraft based at Southampton Airport. The O2 plc logo. ... This airport is located in the United Kingdom, for the airport in Canada, see Southampton Airport (Ontario) Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located in Eastleigh near Southampton. ...

Power FM Flying Eye (Piper Cherokee)

Traffic reports are broadcast every fifteen minutes from the Power FM "Travel Centre". Information comes from sources such as a group of drivers who follow the same route to work every morning and afternoon, calling in to alert listeners of any problems. Power FMs Roadcrew reports are often broadcast live over the radio. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Piper PA-28 Cherokee 180E Cherokee is the common name for the Pipers PA-28 family of aircraft models, which received its type certificate from the FAA in 1960 and is still under production by Piper Aircraft. ...

Another regular member of the team is Handy Andy the Producer. An "expert" guitar player, he even organised an unofficial song for England during Euro 2004, sold in shops across Hampshire. First international  Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Biggest win  Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882) Biggest defeat  Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First in... Euro 2004 Logo The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly called Euro 2004, was held in Portugal between 12 June and 4 July 2004. ... For other uses, see Hampshire (disambiguation). ...

Rick Jackson left Power FM for the Ocean FM Breakfast show in July 2007. Maximum Bob continues on the Power FM Breakfast show, meanwhile Katie has her own show on weekday afternoons.

Other Shows

Katie Mattin was promoted to afternoons in April 2007, replacing Claire Anderson who left to join Digital Station TheJazz. theJazz will be a British commercial jazz radio station. ...

Ben Glover initially presented Power Select but was promoted to Drivetime when popular presenter Lloydie left in a shock move. Ben has a habit of saying that roads are "Moody" during travel news.

FM and AM Transmitters

• Chillerton Down, Isle of Wight: 103.2 MHz FM (2 kW) directional transmitter - covering Southampton, South-West Hampshire and most of the Isle of Wight (Power FM)

• Crabwood Farm, Winchester: 96.7 MHz FM (0.5 kW) - covering Winchester and Mid-Hampshire (Ocean FM)

• Fort Widley, Portsmouth: 97.5 MHz FM (0.85 kW) - covering Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire (Ocean FM)

• Farlington Marshes, near Portsmouth: 1170 kHz AM (0.12 kW) (Capital Gold)

• Veals Farm, near Southampton: 1557 kHz AM (0.5 kW) (Capital Gold).

The Chillerton Down transmitter is a broadcasting facility for FM and DAB radio at Chillerton Down on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England (grid reference SZ475835). ... The Isle of Wight is an English island and county, off the southern English coast, to the south of the county of Hampshire, between the Solent and the English Channel. ... Winchester is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40,000 within a 3 mile radius of its centre. ... For other places with the same name, see Portsmouth (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Portsmouth (disambiguation). ... Southampton is the largest city[1] on the south coast of England. ...

Slogans

1987 - Ocean Sound - We're on your Wavelength!

1989 - The Gold AM - Go for Gold; The Light FM - Turn on the Light

1992 - Power FM - More Music; South Coast Radio - Light and Easy

2002 - Power FM - The South's Number One Hit Music Station

2003 - Power FM - Today's Best Music

References

Aircheck UK (Hampshire)

Commercial Radio Companies Association Pocket Book, 2005-2006

MDS975: Radio, Stations & Memorabilia

Radio Authority Pocket Book, 1994-2004

External links

• Ocean FM
• Wave 105
• Capital Gold
• GCap Media
• Century FM
• The Saint (radio station)
• 107.4 The Quay (formerly Radio Victory)

// Overview Ocean FM is a British commercial radio station serving South Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight primarily for Portsmouth and Southampton. ... Wave 105 is a UK regional commercial radio station broadcasting across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and part of West Sussex. ... Capital Gold is an oldies radio station which started in London in 1988 on Capital Radios AM frequency, as the British Government urged radio stations to end simulcasting (broadcasting the same programmes simultaneously on FM and AM) and threatening to remove one of their frequencies if simulcasting continued. ... GCap Media plc is a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. ... Century FM is the name of a number of UK regional radio stations mostly owned by GCap Media. ... The Saint is an independent local radio station for Southampton and Southern Hampshire. ... 107. ...

External links

• Power FM online
• Ocean FM online
• GCap Media website - owners of Power FM and Ocean.
• Hit40UK website
• BBC Radio 1 website