Swindon FM goes back on air in bid to win licence (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swindon FM goes back on air in bid to win licence

SWINDON FM is on the air again for its third trial broadcast. The station is hoping to win an FM broadcasting licence after a report by radio's governing body, Ofcom, invited comments from the industry on the future of commercial radio in the UK.

According to the report, Swindon will be among the last analogue licences to be awarded before radios switch to broadcasting on digital by 2010.

Since going live with a seven-day digital service and broadcasting on the internet, the station has concentrated on making a successful bid for an FM licence.

Chief executive Rikki Hunt was full of praise for the station's volunteers. He said: "The suggestion of a licence is purely as a result of work done by the station's volunteers over the past three years.

"This period has seen two well-received short-term FM broadcasts that each generated more than 300 letters of support from listeners, businesses and charities, which have all helped push Swindon to the front of the list for potential new radio services.

"This is a terrific boost for all of those involved with the station and for the community of Swindon, which could have the opportunity for reshaping the future of the station."

The trial broadcast will last for four weeks.