York’s newest radio station is counting down to the day it goes on air.
It was back in February 2018 that the team behind Jorvik Radio learned they had won a community radio licence from watchdog Ofcom.
Since then it has been a challenging road – raising the funding, finding a studio space, getting permission for and installing a broadcast transmitter – but all the hurdles have been overcome. Finally the team behind it can finally announce a wavelength and starting date.
And Jorvik Radio will go live at 7am on Monday, 4 November on a frequency of 94.8 FM.
From then it will be broadcasting to the city from its studios at The Centre @ Burnholme via a transmitter in Holgate to a ten-mile radius around York.
And we can expect a mix of music, talk shows and documentaries rooted very firmly in the heart of the community.
Giving York a voice
“After two and a half years of hard work many highs and lows we are now super excited to be getting on-air,” said Jorvik Radio MD Bill Colman.
Bill, who will also host an afternoon show, Sounds Of The City with Bilko, said:
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It’s about giving the people of York a voice, allowing people to experience radio regardless of where they are in life.
Our doors are open to everyone.
Although entirely run by volunteers, Jorvik Radio is aiming high. Thanks to a £9.3K lottery grant and a successful £5K Kickstarter fundraising campaign, the studios are being kitted out with brand new equipment.
“It may be community radio but it’s not amateur radio – there will be full training given to all our volunteers and the radio will have very high professional standards,” says Nick Love, Jorvik’s funding director – and presenter of the Love In The Morning weekday show.
Jorvik will aim “to reflect and promote local identity, character and culture”. The music playlist will mirror that – you could hear Justin Bieber followed by David Ward Maclean, Nick said.
Through the week during the Drivetime slot there will be
- an hour dedicated to city businesses
- Ebor Arts presented by York writer and musician Miles Salter
- and the York History Hour hosted by Richard Brigham of York Past & Present.
Jorvik Radio weekday line up
| Time | Show | Presenter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-7am | Budge @ Breakfast | Lisa Budgen | ||
| 7-9am | Breakfast | Adam Coggin | ||
| 9-10am | Curated Playlists | Rudie Hayes (Producer) | ||
| 10-12pm | Love in the Morning | Nick Love | ||
| 12pm – 2pm | Jorvik Jukebox | Natalie Eaglen | ||
| 2pm-5pm | Sounds of City with Bilko | Bill Colman | ||
| 5-7pm | Drivetime | York St John’s Students | ||
| 8-10pm | Specialist shows | Including Country with Sam Marshall & Blues with Paul Winn |
Embedded in the community
“Community radio stations are not funded, and it’s difficult to get revenue until you are on air.”
Raising the finances was only one challenge. The studios were originally to be based at York St John University – but that idea fell through.
Now though they couldn’t be more happy with their home at The Centre @ Burnholme on Mossdale Avenue, joining a building filled with community spirit, from the creative arts charity Tang Hall SMART to the Explore York reading café.
“We are embedded in the community. It’s York people talking to York people about York stuff,” said Nick.
There are 36 volunteers on the Jorvik Radio books – but plenty of room for more. If you’d like to be involved, get in touch via the website.
Otherwise get ready to tune in on 94.8 FM on 4 November.