Radio Carmarthenshire

Infobox Radio Station
name = 97.1 Radio Carmarthenshire


city = Narbeth, Pembrokeshire
area = Carmarthenshire
branding =
slogan =
airdate = 13 June 2004
frequency = 97.1 MHz (Carmarthenshire), 97.5 MHz (Carmarthen)
share = 10.1
share as of = March 2008
share source = [http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php]
format = Adult Contemporary
power =
erp =
class =
callsign_meaning =
owner = Town and Country Broadcasting
website = [http://www.radiocarmarthenshire.com/ radiocarmarthenshire.com]

Radio Carmarthenshire is an independent local radio station (ILR) broadcasting to Carmarthenshire county on 97.1 and 97.5 FM from studios at Narberth, Pembrokeshire, in Wales. It launched on 13 June 2004. It plays mainly Adult Contemporary music, featuring a mix of current and classic hits.

The station is set to feature on the new Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire DAB digital radio multiplex when it launches in mid-2009.

History

Following the success of Radio Pembrokeshire in 2002, Radio Carmarthenshire was formed in mid-2003. Initially there were two applicants for the Carmarthenshire licence, but due to a conflict of interests with the "Carmarthenshire Sound" bid they were forced to withdraw halfway through the licence approval period. This meant that Keri Jones' Radio Carmarthenshire bid won the licence unopposed.

Radio Carmarthenshire is broadcast from the town of Narberth in neighbouring Pembrokeshire and shares studio facilities and presenters with Radio Pembrokeshire.

Studio invasion, protests and continuing controversy

On July 24 2004 (five weeks after launching), Radio Carmarthenshire's studios in Narberth were invaded by eleven activists from the Welsh language Society Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. They were protesting about Radio Carmarthenshire's decision to limit the amount of Welsh Language programming broadcast on Radio Carmarthenshire.

The offices and studios were stormed during a live broadcasts, taking Radio Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire off air for 15 minutes. According to Keri Jones, his head of sales was injured, and needed hospital treatment for a fractured wrist during the scuffles which ensued. Police arrested eleven activists, and subsequently released them pending further enquiries. Keri Jones later branded the members of the group as "terrorists". [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=14464578&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=cymdeithas-denies--terrorist--tag-after-radio-protest-name_page.html]

Cymdeithas claim that 50% of the population in Carmarthenshire speak Welsh as a first language, but less than 5% of Radio Carmarthenshire's output is in Welsh. As a result of complaints and pressure from the society and individuals, UK broadcasting watchdog Ofcom issued Radio Carmarthenshire with a 'yellow card' warning in late 2004 and any further claims of the station not conforming to its licence agreement will result in the station being severely reprimanded by Ofcom. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3760334.stm]

Keri Jones sells

It has been rumoured that station manager and founder, Keri Jones, is to sell his stake in his Radio Pembrokeshire Group for an undisclosed figure. Mr Jones has spoken of his desire to move to the Isles of Scilly and manage their local station, which he helped set up in 2000. He is also thought to be planning to buy a hotel on the islands with the cash raised from his Radio Pembrokeshire Group stake.

In August 2006, Keri Jones sold all of his Welsh radio stations to Town & Country Broadcasting and moved to the Scilly Isles to work with Radio Scilly, which launched in September 2007.

External links

* [http://www.radiocarmarthenshire.com Radio Carmarthenshire]