Further to earlier reports on Real Radio I've been passed the
following information. (Note Real radio will transmit all of City's game live to South
Wales).
Real Radio, the new regional station for
South Wales, has announced that it will begin testing its transmitters the week beginning
Monday September 4th on three frequencies
These will be :
Cardiff 105.4FM
Swansea 106FM
Newport 105.9FM
It is expected that it will take three days for the Radio Authority and NTL to commission
all the transmitters.
Real Radio will test its service before official programming begins for four weeks. The
actual launch date has been set for 0800 on Tuesday October 3rd.
Real Radio won the licence for the South Wales region in April and has completed its plans
in just 20 weeks. The station, which is owned by the Guardian Media Group, will house the
country's first 24-hour newsroom for Wales offering extended and regional bulletins
throughout the day and night. A dozen journalists are now on board with more expected in
the near future. Real Radio plans to open up a separate newsroom and studio in Swansea.
Three of the newsroom staff are fluent Welsh speakers.
In programmes, Real Radio has a strong commitment to sport with exclusive commentary for
both Cardiff and Swansea football clubs in addition to extensive coverage on Rugby. All
the on-air presenters are now hired and include seven Welsh voices.
The station has a weekly business programme schedules and a number of content led features
which demonstrate its Welsh flavour, although Real Radio will broadcast up to 70% music
from the past 40 years.
Over half a million pounds has been earmarked for promotion of the station, which begins
in September. On HTV, Real Radio is the largest single advertiser over two months.
Real Radio is based in a purpose built building at Taffs Well just of the M4 near Cardiff.
It has five studios enjoying state of the art technology installed by the Oxford Sound
Company with RCS Master Control throughout.
