BBC Somerset
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| City of license | Taunton |
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| Broadcast area | Somerset |
| Frequency | 95.5 MHz, 1566 kHz |
| First air date | 11 April 1988 |
| Format | Local news, talk and music |
| Language | English |
| Audience share | 6.5% (March 2011, [1]) |
| Owner | BBC Local Radio, BBC West |
| Website | BBC Somerset |
BBC Somerset, formerly BBC Somerset Sound, is the BBC Local Radio service for the shire county of Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset, England. BBC Radio Bristol also serves the northern parts of the ceremonial county of Somerset – Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset.
Launched on 11 April 1988, it broadcasts from its studios in Park Street, Taunton on 95.5 MHz FM and 1566 kHz AM, as well as taking programmes from BBC Radio Bristol. The station had previously only broadcast on the ill-fated pre-2002 1323 kHz MW frequency. Because Somerset currently does not have its own DAB multiplex, the station cannot be heard on digital radio.
Prior to 3 December 2007 BBC Somerset could only be received as a whole on MW or on the web.[1] However, from this date onwards the service also became available on the former BBC Radio Bristol frequency of 95.5 MHz. This means that dedicated programming for Somerset can now be heard clearly on FM across the whole of the historic county of Somerset and beyond.
The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006 stated:[2] "The BBC is committed to extending its network of local radio stations to a limited number of under served areas, and BBC management is carrying out preparatory work for new stations in Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire.". However, due to the BBC funding settlement in 2007, it was decided that BBC Somerset shall remain as a part time 'opt-out' from Radio Bristol, at least in the short term.
On 6 October 2011, the BBC announced that it intended to close BBC Somerset's 1566MW frequency as part of its Delivering Quality First (DQF)[3] program of cutbacks.
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[edit] BBC Somerset bus
BBC Somerset got a new mobile radio studio in the shape of a single-decker bus in May 2007. The role of the BBC Somerset bus across the county includes:
- To bring BBC Somerset out into local communities across the county
- To help to improve what people in county want from their local radio station, and from the BBC in general
- To promote the major BBC campaigns, such as the Reading and Writing project (RaW) and Springwatch and Autumnwatch among many others
- To feedback to the BBC any brickbats and bouquets - from listeners/viewers who might not usually have the chance to comment
- To broadcast live shows from towns and villages around Somerset
Programming for the bus, as well as the day to day operation and technical support is managed by Paul George.
[edit] The Challenge
In 2007, BBC Somerset took part in an initiative to create the first carbon-zero radio station in the UK known as The Challenge.[4]
'Eco-auditors' looked at every aspect of the operation - from the mileage of the transport fleet down to what happens to the office tea bags.[5]
At the time of the audit, the station generated more than 64 tonnes of CO2 each year. On hearing the results the staff voluntarily dipped into their pockets to fund the three main accredited methods of carbon offsetting – tree planting, sustainable projects and carbon trading. On average the cost to each member of staff was between £25 and £50, depending on their salary. Staff also looked at all areas where pollution is generated to reduce the station's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly. These included:
- The fleet of cars for reporters were swapped for fuel-efficient vans.
- Lighting systems were replaced with more energy-efficient ones.
- Loft insulation was improved and double glazing was considered.
- The electricity and paper supplies were checked to make sure they are eco-friendly.
- Water coolers were removed in favour of tap water.
- New recycling measures were introduced.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products were introduced.
[edit] Presenters
Current presenters include:
- Simon Parkin
- Elise Rayner
- Jess Rudkin
- Emma Britton
- Matt Faulkner
- Ben McGrail
- Faye Dicker
- Elise Rayner
- Vernon Harwood
- Martin Evans
- Keith Warmington
- Trevor Fry
- Steve Yabsley
Station Management:
- Editor: Jess Rudkin
- News Editor: Andrew Enever
Former presenters include:
- Carrie Davis (The Chris Moyles Show)
- Fi Glover (Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4)
- Adam Thomas (the longest serving presenter in the history of the station, 1993-2010)
[edit] Programming
[edit] Weekdays
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[edit] Wednesday variations
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[edit] Saturday
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[edit] Sunday
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Much of BBC Somerset's off-peak broadcast schedule carries shared programming from BBC Radio Bristol with weekend evening output originating from BBC Radio Devon in Plymouth and Sunday afternoon programming from BBC Radio Gloucestershire. From Sunday to Thursday, the station simulcasts Radio 5 Live's Up All Night after closedown.
[edit] References
- ^ "BBC Somerset". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006". BBC. http://www.bbcgovernorsarchive.co.uk/annreport/index.html. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "BBC Delivering Quality First". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/dqf/. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ "The Challenge". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/challenge. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "co2balance.com". co2balance.com. http://www.co2balance.com. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
[edit] External links
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