103.2FM Red Dragon

Infobox Radio station

name = 103.2 & 97.4FM Red Dragon
format = Top 40 / Hot AC
city = Cardiff
slogan = South Wales' Hit Music Station / Haven't you heard ?
frequency = 103.2 MHz & 97.4 MHz |and DAB Digital Radio
area = Cardiff, Newport, Rhondda Valleys, Caerphilly & nearby Barry Island
owner = Global Radio
website = [http://www.reddragonfm.co.uk] Red Dragon FM

Introduction

Red Dragon is an independent local radio station serving the cities of Cardiff, Newport and the surrounding areas of South East Wales, broadcasting to a potential audience of around 1.6million people. Coverage in the Rhondda Valleys is slightly better on DAB Digital Radio. It is currently owned by Global Radio (Previously Gcap Media) and forms part of its One Network brand. Its studios are located in the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay.The station originally took to the air in Cardiff only. Known as CBC (Cardiff Broadcasting Company), the station launched in April 1980 on 221 metres medium wave (1359 kHz AM) and 96.0 VHF.

Coverage area

The 103.2FM signal, which is the strongest of the two frequencies, comes from the transmitter at Wenallt near Cardiff, with the 97.4FM signal transmitting from Christchurch in Newport. The signals reach as far out as the Valleys to the north and the city centre of Swansea at its furthest to the west, as well as unofficially covering a significant area of the West of England to the south and east. The station output cannot be heard past Swansea, as this is where Red Dragon's collegues at 96.4FM The Wave broadcast.

Red Dragon also broadcasts the 103.2 signal on the NOW Cardiff & Newport DAB Multiplex.

Presenters / DJs

* Dan Mills
* Darren Lee
* Leigh Jones
* Matt Lissack
* Niall Foster
* Tony Scott
* Lucio (Hit 40 UK)

Music policy

Red Dragon plays Hot AC as well as Top 40, current and recent hits. The station provides the "South Wales Ten Most Wanted." Also, Red Dragon FM airs the networked UK Chart show, Hit 40 UK.

The station name

According to rumour, the station was almost named "Yellow Daffodil". When The Red Rose Group acquired the station in 1985 the name was supposedly considered to match the group's "Red Rose Radio" in the North of England. But this rumour has since been discounted by the director of Red Dragon.

However, it was the red, rather than flower connection that was continued. Known as Red Dragon Radio throughout the late eighties, the station later became Red Dragon FM.

However, in late 2006 the station was re-branded as simply "Red Dragon", which is how the station has been referred to by locals for many years.

Radio displays show the station as "Redragon" in order to save space on the screen.

References

External links

* [http://www.reddragonfm.co.uk Red Dragon]
* [http://www.gcapmedia.co.uk GCAP Media]
* [http://www.reddragonfm.co.uk/playlist.asp Red Dragon Playlist]
* [http://www.thewave.co.uk The Wave - South West Wales]