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| 97.4 Rock FM | |
| City of license | Preston |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Lancashire |
| Frequency | 97.4 MHz, DAB (223.93 MHz) |
| First air date | 5 October 1982 |
| Format | Variety Hit Radio |
| Audience share | 11.1% (September 2009, [1]) |
| Owner | Bauer Radio |
| Website | Rock FM |
97.4 Rock FM is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to North West England. Its output is principally contemporary pop, and hits from the present, 80s and 90s. It is owned by Bauer Radio and is part of their Big City Network of stations.
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History
In 1990, Red Rose Radio, which was transmitted on 97.4MHz and 999kHz, was split into two stations - Red Rose Rock FM using the FM frequency and Red Rose Gold on the medium wave frequency. The managing director was Dave Lincoln and at that time the station was owned by the Miss World Group, later known as TransWorld Communications (owned by Owen Oyston and which subsequently became part of Bauer Radio (previously EMAP Radio). Dave Lincoln was one of the presenters on the new Red Rose Gold station alongside other names such as John Myers, Dave Shearer, Derek Webster and Dave Collins.
Later the FM station became known as Rock FM and the AM frequency became Red Rose 999. After acquisitions by EMAP, Red Rose 999 became Magic 999.
Present
Rock FM is based in a former church in Preston, Lancashire, it broadcasts across the region at 97.4MHz FM.
Rock FM plays commercial chart music from now and the last 20 years, with more recent music predominating. It should be noted that the name is a misnomer as very little actual rock music is played. Rock was a reference to the 'rocking' music played on the station in contrast to older music on its sister station, Red Rose Gold.
In January 2007, 97.4 Rock FM linked up with sister station, Key 103 in Manchester to network their weekday evening shows across both stations. The show was called 'North West's Most Wanted'. Later in 2007, current owners at the time, Emap Radio extended the show across all Big Cig City Network station in England. The show was renamed 'In Demand with Rich & Luce' and is broadcast from Key 103, Manchester along with other networked shows.
Rock FM has, in the last year or so, been nominated for numerous awards. adam@breakfast has won parts of the ARQIVAs, European radio awards and New York radio awards. Hywel and Jamie have been nominated for several awards as well, including the Sonys.
Presenters
Local presenters
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Networked presenters
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The majority of Rock FM's programming is presented and produced locally from its Preston studios although In:Demand and AfterHours are produced from Key 103 in Manchester while JK and Joel's Saturday Night Thing is produced from Radio Aire in Leeds and Late 'n' Live is produced from the studios of Magic 105.4 in London. The Big Top 40 Show is produced by Global Radio in London for broadcast on over 140 commercial radio stations across the UK.
Past Presenters
Past presenters from Rock FM include:
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External links
- Official website
- North West Radio Images of Red Rose presenters and schedule.
- [2]
- News article about Rock FM's new networked evening program, Jan 2007
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