96.3 Radio Aire

Infobox Radio Station


name = 96.3 Radio Aire
airdate = September 1 1981
frequency = 96.3 MHz
share = 8.1%
share as of = March 2008
share source = [http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php]
area = Leeds
format = Contemporary
owner = Bauer Radio
website = [http://www.radioaire.co.uk/ www.radioaire.co.uk]

96.3 Radio Aire is the main Independent Local Radio station broadcasting in Leeds and is the sister station of Magic 828. It is situated on Kirkstall Road/Burley Road next to Yorkshire Television's TV Studios and was the first Independent Local Radio station to have studios specially built for the purpose of radio transmission. It was bought by EMAP in 1995 and became part of their Big City Network of stations and has had a generic branding with other Big City Network stations since about 2000. After the acquisition of EMAP Radio, the station is now part of Bauer Radio.

During the 1990s it was known as Aire FM but it had reverted back to its initial name of Radio Aire in March 2001.

Programming

Radio Aire broadcasts networked programming on weeknights. At 7pm "In Demand" is syndicated from Key 103 in Manchester followed by "The Confessional" which comes from neighbouring station Hallam FM in Sheffield.

Current weekday schedule, as of February 2008, includes

* Simon Logan - Breakfast Show
* Griffo - Midmornings
* Liz & Cameron - Drive
* In Demand with Rich & Luce
* The Confessional with Ian and Vix
* Feel Good Friday Night with Luce
* The Love Confessional with Becky Hayes (networked from Hallam FM)

Weekend presenters include

* Richard Williams
* Hit 40 UK with Lucio
* Glenn Pinder
* Dan Moylan
* Gav Richards (networked from Hallam FM)
* Richie Pearson (networked from Hallam FM)

Transmitter Information

The station's FM transmission is radiated at the Tingley site in Morley, close to the A653 and junction 28 of the M62. The adjacent mast, known as Morley, is former home of the station's FM transmissions. It continues to broadcast sister station Magic 828, on medium wave, and the Leeds DAB multiplex.

logans

Radio Aire has had various slogans over the years, but these three have been given the most exposure:
* "Today's Best Music" (2000-2001)
* "More Music Variety" (2001-2005)
* "The Best of the 80's, 90's and Now" (2005-present)

Jingles

Over the years Radio Aire has had many Jingle packages most of which were produced by Alfasound, the former UK agent for Jam Creative Productions. One the most memorable are the re-sings of the KIIS-FM "Kiis 90" package

* 1987 - 1990 "Radio Aire... West Yorkshire's Number One" - produced by Muff Murfin & Standard Sound
* 1990 - 1992 "More Music... Aire FM" - resings of part of the KIIS 90 package from JAM Creative Productions
* 1992 - 1994 "Yorkshire's Best Music Mix... Radio Aire FM" resings of The Beat from JAM Creative Productions (plus one cut from Cooljam package)
* 1994 - 1995 "Yorkshire's Best Music Mix... Radio Aire FM" various cuts from TM Century packages (mainly the New PLJ)
* 1995 - 1996 "Music Power... 96.3 Aire FM" Mezzo Productions Leeds custom package
* 1996 - 1998 "Only The Best Music... The New 96.3 Aire FM" Mezzo Productions Leeds custom package (used with OTBM strapline during 1996 only)
* 2001 - 2003 Re-sings of Kiss London from Reelworld
* 2004 - 2006 Re-sings of Kiss Bostons2003 from Reelworld
* 2006 - present semi custom package from Wise Buddah (Contemporary Cuts)

Former employees

External links

* [http://www.radioaire.co.uk Radio Aire 96.3]
* [http://www.geocities.com/thehotw/aircheck_UKYorks.htm History of local radio in Yorkshire.]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/tingley.php Tingley transmitter information]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/morley.php Morley transmitter information]