Focal Radio
 | |
| Frequency | DAB |
|---|---|
| First air date | 5 November 2008 |
| Format | General interest |
| Audience share | not reported |
| Owner | Focal Radio Ltd. |
Focal Radio was a commercial radio station based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent[1] and broadcasting to the two counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire in England.
The station broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the local DAB multiplex for the city as well as online.
The station's entirely locally produced programming consisted of popular music from the past 40 years along with news, sport and speech features of general interest to the local population. A number of specialist music programmes were also provided.
In February 2009, the station closed down having run out of cash after just four months on air[2] and its parent company Trent Radio Station Limited was placed into liquidation.[3] Several weeks later, the station resumed broadcasting having been acquired by local businessman Mo Chaudry.[4]
Chaudry pulled out of backing the station three months later, resulting in an on-air pledge drive asking for listeners to buy a £10 stake in the station. Despite raising over £60,000 in a week, staff and management failed to raise another £20,000 in order to pay back the investment made by Chaudry. Focal Radio ceased transmission again at 1pm on Thursday 28 May 2009.[5]
References
- ↑ "The Potteries get Focal". Radio Today. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
- ↑ "Sam's off air after just four months". The Sentinel. 14 February 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ "New radio station sinks into liquidation". The Sentinel. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ "Tycoon puts Focal Radio back on the air". The Sentinel. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ Farewell, Focal Radio, Radio Today, 28 May 2009