‘We are raring to go’
SoundWave Radio Plymouth’s studio is being set up at Estover’s Airport Business Park(Image: Submitted)
A new community radio station is to start broadcasting in Plymouth just months after the demise of Ocean City Radio.
The company SoundWave Radio Plymouth CIC was “born” last week and is expected to start broadcasting within the next month.
“We have tried to find ways to put a new station together – and got there. We are raring to go.” said Steve Rowlands, one of those involved in the new venture.
He was also part of Ocean City Radio (OCR) which closed in May, just days after making an urgent appeal for cash following a devastating cyber attack.
But several people involved in that station wanted to continue serving Plymouth listeners and decided to start a new station.
They have secured a studio at the Airport Business Centre, in Estover, where OCR also broadcast from, and Mr Rowlands said: “We have some equipment but are waiting for more to arrive in the next couple of weeks.
“We are looking forward to being fully functional, interactive, upbeat and professional. We will be testing equipment and training presenters around the turn of this month.
“We’ll go live when we are confident there are no bugs. The majority of the team from Ocean City Radio wanted to continue and we have managed to keep pretty much everyone together.”
SoundWave Radio has already secured 15 of the volunteer presenters that were at OCR, and some former presenters who left last year could return.
“We have just put out an ad for additional presenters and have had expressions of interest from a dozen people,” said Mr Rowlands.
He said presenters gain in self-worth and confidence and learn skills when working on-air and added: “Our presenters are aged from 17 to 76, we are very diverse and inclusive. Quite a few are retired or cannot work because of some form of health challenge. This is their way of giving something back.”
Mr Rowlands said the intention is to broadcast live with original material and said: “We should be in a position to broadcast live rather than using playlists and repeats, that has to be better for the listener experience and for advertisers.
“And we are working towards a further diversification in terms of shows, and hope to have some special niche shows, including with vinyl aficionados, soul, reggae and other types of music.
“And more in the way of chatshows and engagement with schools and community groups. We are keen to engage with the community and community events.”
Mr Rowlands said presenters are already working with community organisations such as the Wavelength get-togethers for older adults in Crownhill and the Chatty Cafe drop-ins at Foulston Park.
“We want to base ourselves in the community, picking up where OCR left off but building on that,” he said.
But SoundWave Radio Plymouth will have to start out by broadcasting over the internet. OCR broadcasted on the web but also on DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), for which a licence has to be obtained and paid for.
“That is too expensive,” said Mr Rowlands. “We are working towards offering it in a sustainable way, but that will be a way off.
“DAB will drive listener numbers and sponsors but it’s not a cheap exercise and we need to get it right first. We can’t go too fast, too soon and implode.
“But we are looking forward to being able to broadcast, the team is chomping at the bit.”
Mr Rowlands said the team needs financial support too and stressed: “We need additional sponsorship so we are sustainable from the off.”
Mr Rowlands is also hoping to gain the support of Plymouth city councillors to help the station financially via their community grants.
If anyone can assist the station they sound make contact via SoundWave Radio Plymouth’s Facebook page, or by emailing info@soundwaveradioplymouth.com
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