Island FM is an
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. As a result of the buyouts and mergers permitted by the Broadcasting Act 1990, and deregulation resulting from the Communications Act 2003, ...
station broadcasting across the
Bailiwick of Guernsey on 104.7FM and 93.7FM in Alderney.
Launched in 1992, Island FM remains the sole commercial station in the island and continues to be extremely successful with high listenership figures.
Listening figures under a 2018
RAJAR
Radio Joint Audience Research Limited (RAJAR) was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry in the United Kingdom. RAJAR is jointly owned by the BBC and RadioCentre. RAJAR's predecessor was call ...
survey showed that out of a population of 53,000 adults, 31,000 listened each week, at an average of 11.6 hours per person giving a 37% market share.
As of September 2022, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 25,000 with a listening share of 26.1%, according to
RAJAR
Radio Joint Audience Research Limited (RAJAR) was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry in the United Kingdom. RAJAR is jointly owned by the BBC and RadioCentre. RAJAR's predecessor was call ...
.
History
Island FM was founded by Guernsey businessman Kevin Stewart, who was the station's Managing Director until 2002.
In February 1998, Sir
Ray Tindle acquired Island FM and the station became the first part of the
Tindle Radio Group, which later went on to purchase Jersey's
Channel 103
Channel 103 is an independent local radio station broadcasting to the island of Jersey on 103.7 FM and DAB+ digital radio.
The station launched on 25 October 1992. Channel 103 is part of Tindle Radio, which also owns Island FM in Guernsey and ...
In late 2020, Island FM became a part of
Bauer's
Hits Radio Network for commercial sales. It remains owned by Tindle with no shared programming.
Island FM began
digital radio transmissions, alongside
Channel 103
Channel 103 is an independent local radio station broadcasting to the island of Jersey on 103.7 FM and DAB+ digital radio.
The station launched on 25 October 1992. Channel 103 is part of Tindle Radio, which also owns Island FM in Guernsey and ...
, on 1 August 2021 with the launch of the local
Ofcom-licensed DAB multiplex for the Channel Islands.
Programming
Island FM's core audience is the 15-45 age group, playing contemporary hits - predominantly from the 1980s to the present day.
News bulletins are presented locally from 6am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. The station's weekend news service broadcasts local content, presented either from Jersey or Guernsey from 8am until noon.
Sky News provides the service outside these times.
Transmission
Island FM has broadcast on 104.7 FM in Guernsey and 93.7 FM in Alderney since launching in 1992.
The station began
DAB+ transmissions, alongside those of
Channel 103
Channel 103 is an independent local radio station broadcasting to the island of Jersey on 103.7 FM and DAB+ digital radio.
The station launched on 25 October 1992. Channel 103 is part of Tindle Radio, which also owns Island FM in Guernsey and ...
, on 1 August 2021 with the launch of the local
Ofcom-licensed DAB multiplex for the Channel Islands. This service is radiated from transmitters at Les Touillets in Guernsey and Les Platons in Jersey.
References
External links
Official site
Radio stations in Guernsey
{{Guernsey-stub