96.4FM The Wave

Infobox Radio station

name = 96.4 FM The Wave
city = Swansea
format = Top 40 / Hot AC
airdate = 30 September 1995
slogan = South West Wales' No.1 Hit Music Station / You Love It. We Play It.
frequency = 96.4 MHz, DAB Digital Radio & [http://www.thewave.co.uk/stream2.php Live Online Streaming]
share = 9.8%
share as of = September 2007
share source = [http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php]
area = Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Llanelli and South Carmarthenshire
owner = UTV Radio
website = [http://www.thewave.co.uk www.thewave.co.uk]

Introduction

The Wave is an independent local radio station serving Swansea and surrounding areas in South West Wales, broadcasting on 96.4 MHz and on DAB Digital Radio. It is owned by UTV Radio.

The station broadcasts from "Wave Towers" near Gowerton in the west of the city, with its transmitter located at Kilvey Hill, overlooking the centre of Swansea. The station was launched in 1995 after Swansea Sound, under the name SoundWave.

Coverage Area

The 96.4 MHz transmitter serves Swansea itself, as well as nearby Neath, Port Talbot, Carmarthen and Llanelli, although coverage on DAB is slightly better than FM in Carmarthenshire and towards Bridgend. It is also available in areas of North Devon, across the Severn Estuary (where there is no interference from local station Lantern FM on 96.2 MHz), although the station's official coverage area and on-air branding does not acknowledge this. The station's output cannot be heard towards South East Wales, because this is where The Wave's collegues at 103.2FM Red Dragon broadcast.

Music Policy

The Wave play Hot AC music, with Top 40 songs appearing regularly alongside recent and classic chart hits. As well as producing its own chart programme, 'The Wave Chart Show', it carries the networked Hit 40 UK programme on Sundays from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. The Wave Top 10 is part of The South Wales Chart network.

Presenters / DJs

*Badger (Andy Miles), also Head of Music for the UTV Group.
*Robyn
*Emma
*Mark Powell
*Phil Hoyles
*Jonny B
*Steve "Shawzy" Shaw
*Claire Scott
*Siany
*Lucio, presenter of the networked Hit 40 UK Chart Show.

Network Broadcasting

Alongside locally produced shows, the station also carries UTV Radio's network shows 'Late Night Love' and 'Money On Your Mobile' in its schedule.

Studio Relocation

The station, along with its sister networks Swansea Sound and nearby Valleys Radio, is planning to move to a new studio complex, and are currently considering locations at Jersey Marine in Swansea city centre.

The plans are currently subject to public consultation.

External links

* [http://www.thewave.co.uk The Wave.co.uk]
* [http://www.utvplc.com UTV Radio]
* [http://www.reddragonfm.co.uk Red Dragon FM]
* [http://www.markpowell.co.uk Mark Powell Page]