The Eye (radio station)

Infobox Radio station
name=103 The Eye


airdate= 1 November 2005
frequency=103.0 MHz
area= Melton Mowbray & The Vale of Belvoir
format = Adult Contemporary / Classic Hits / Local & National News / Talk
owner = The Eye FM Ltd
slogan = It's All About You
website = [http://www.103theeye.co.uk/ www.103theeye.co.uk]

103 The Eye is a community radio station in the United Kingdom. The station broadcasts on 103.0 FM in Melton Mowbray and across the Vale of Belvoir.

Background

"103 The Eye" was the first community radio stations in the United Kingdom to begin broadcasting on a full five-year licence. Fifteen other stations had previously held short-term licences under the pilot scheme (originally titled "Access Radio"), but The Eye was the first station to go on air after the format was opened to general applications.

Prior to 2004 the station had been known as "TWC", and had held a number of 28-day Restricted Service Licence broadcasts with the aim of persuading the Radio Authority (now OFCOM) to licence a new local commercial radio station to serve Melton Mowbray, Cotgrave, Bingham and the surrounding areas of South East Nottinghamshire and North Leicestershire.

"103 The Eye" broadcasts a variety of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, plus specialist discussion and music shows. The first song broadcast after the official launch at 07:00 on November 1st 2005 was Eye of the Tiger by the American classic rock group, Survivor.The first presenters' voices heard were those of Cliff King and Dave Baron.

The station has a soundstage available to hire at local events.

During live programmes the station broadcasts IRN news bulletins at the start of every hour, these are supplemented with local news and "Community Focus" broadcasts throughout the day.

In 2006, the station moved from its original studios at Hickling Pastures to [Melton Mowbray] . It has since established additional studios, and is one of the most prolific community radio stations providing more than 100 hours of live programming every week.

Presenters

Previous Talent

Previous on air talent at 103 The Eye have gone on to work in local and regional media. Former Drive Time presenter and producer Jonny Mac, despite only being sixteen years old, has gone on to establish his own media business - JK Media - with fellow 103 The Eye presenter Kevin Ross [ [http://www.meltontimes.co.uk/news/Melton-event-gets-its-own.3909137.jp Melton event gets its own radio station - Melton Times ] ] . JK Media have teamed up with another former 103 The Eye presenter MarkPugh [ [http://www.markpugh.com/ markpugh.com ] ] to launch Event FM, a temporary radio station covering a major local event in Melton Mowbray featuring Jennifer Ellison and celebrity chef James Martin. Former Evening show presenter Steve Hubbard and ex-Breakfast presenter Richard Garvie unsuccessfully attempted to establish Funcoast Radio in Skegness [www.funcoastradio.com] , and Richard was also unsuccessful as a programme manager in his own right, -only lasting three months as Sponsorship & Promotion Manager at Star 107.5 in Cheltenham. Richard has turned his attention to Motor Racing where he has dubiously obtained money for sponsorship from a variety of sources.

Other favourites that have left the station include Hardy T, Rud "King of Bling" McAllister, Megan Underwood and former station manager Brian Coutts.

Management

* Christine Slomkowska: Managing Director
* John Whetstone: Chief Engineer

Rock The Vale (2006)

Rock The Vale was a concert organised in association with the station over the May day bank holiday weekend. It was headlined by Showaddywaddy and featured a number of tribute acts, and the final of the stations Rock Idol. Proceeds from the event went to fund the station and Cancer Research UK.

ee also

* List of radio stations in the United Kingdom.

References

External links

* [http://www.103theeye.co.uk Official Website]