Guide to radio stations in and around Manchester

Update Nov 2008: I’ve been contacted about East Manchester Radio, an internet-based station playing music from the 70s up to today. To listen, go to www.eastmanchesterradio.co.uk

Update mid-2008: Rock Radio has started in Manchester, and community stations Tameside, Oldham, Salford and Wythenshawe have been on air for some time. Full update to appear in due course.

Manchester Oxford Rd and BBC Broadcasting House

Manchester has a lively radio scene and things are developing all the time. XFM was launched in March 2006 and Radio Manchester changed from BBC GMR in April.

Here are the stations I picked up on a scan of the FM band on my car radio, parked in central Manchester. Local stations are highlighted. More info to be added. Please notify me of any errors or omissions.

87.7 : Refresh fm I picked up this temporary station offering a Christian Celebration of Easter. It was on air 8-23 April 2006.

89.3 BBC Radio 2
91.5 BBC Radio 3
92.4 BBC Radio Leeds
93.7 BBC Radio 4 – Some programmes are made in Manchester

95.1 : BBC Radio Manchester
Previously known as BBC GMR and BBC GMR Talk, first launched as Radio Manchester in 1970. The longest established local radio station, and one of the first in the UK. On 3 April 2006, rebranded as Radio Manchester with the same personalities but a new, chattier, poppier sound. Presenters include plain-talking Allan Beswick, wordy Phil Wood and the faintly Caribbean twang of Mike Shaft. I’ve been interviewed a number of times on this station. Website: www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/local_radio/ RDA code:

BBC_Manc_

96.2 : The Revolution
Commercial music radio station broadcasting to Oldham and surrounding districts, first launched in 1999 www.revolutiononline.co.uk RDA code

THE_REV_

96.9 : ALL fm
Community-based radio station broadcasting from Levenshulme to Ardwick Longsight and Levenshulme (hence the name). Started life on a temporary licence and, in the words of the website, ‘has captured the imagination of people in south central and east Manchester’. I was interviewed on ALL fm in 2001. RDA code:

_ALL_fm_ 

website: www.allfm.org

97.2 : Wythenshawe fm
Community-based station from Wythenshawe, the new town in the south of Manchester. The station serves the local community and offers opportunities to train in radio journalism. Wythenshawe fm is part of Radio Regen.

97.4 : Rock FM
Formerly Red Rose, first launched October 1982. Broacasts from Preston to Lancashire, and can be received in central and north Manchester area. Owned by Emap. Website: www.rockfm.co.uk RDA code:

ROCK_FM_

XFM advert in St Peters Square Manchester

97.7 : XFM
Launched 15 March 2006 in Manchester, one of 3 XFM stations in the UK. An ad campaign featured babies dressed as Manc rock stars including Oasis. My overall impression so far: A station aimed at fans of rock and other genres, with a strong local focus. Presenters include local media personalities Anthony H Wilson and Dave Haslam. Broadcast from Salford Quays, owned by GCap Media, same as Century FM.

XFM

99.3 BBC Radio 1

100.4 : Smooth FM
Broadcasts from Exchange Quay Salford Quays to north west England.
Launched 1 Sept 1994 as JFM, later Jazz FM. The station gained a loyal following but rebranding to Smooth FM opened up a wider audience. ‘Smooth’ could mean ‘bland’, but the music is high quality, mainly soul and r’n'b classics, promoted as ‘the north west’s smooth favourites’. At Smooth FM it seems permanently the summer of 78, but the large regional audience don’t seem to mind. Owner: Guardian Media Group. Website: http://northwest.smoothfm.com

_SMOOTH_

Also available on SkyDigital0128

101.1 Classic fm National commercial Classical music station

102 : Galaxy
One of several Galaxy stations around the UK. Formerly Kiss 102 and Galaxy 102. The emphasis is on up to the minute r’n'b, and evidently aimed at a young, club-going audience. Owned by Chrysalis Group. Broadcasts from The Triangle or Corn Exchange building in the centre of Manchester. Website: www.galaxymanchester.co.uk RDA code:

_GALAXY_

102.4 : Wish FM
Commerical music station broadcasting to the Wigan and St Helens areas, good reception in Manchester. Website: www.wishfm.net

WISH_FM_

Owner: Ulster Television

Key 103 bus advert with Chelsea Norris and Mike Toolan

103 : Key 103
Launched 20 April 1974 as Piccadilly Radio, this is the first and longest established commercial radio station in Manchester. Originally broadcast from Piccadilly Plaza, with giant photos of the DJs on display above Portland St end. Later moved to Castle Quay in Castlefield to the south east of Manchester city centre. The playlist is mainly up to the minute commercial pop. www.key103.co.uk Key_103_

Magic 1152
Magic 1152, previously known as Piccadilly Magic 1152 and other names all containing ‘Piccadilly’, is the AM (medium wave) sister station to Key 103 and also broadcasts from Castle Quay in Castlefield. Magic 1152 plays ‘the best 60s, 70s and more’. Available on 1152 kHz, on Digital Audio and via the website www.manchestersmagic.co.uk

103.9 BBC Radio Lancashire
former BBC Radio Blackburn, broadcasting to Lancashire (County Council area) and adjoining districts (including Manchester) Blackburn

BBC_Lanc

104.1 : BBC Radio Sheffield

104.3 : BBC Cymru Welsh language equivalent of Radio 4

104.9 : Imagine FM
broadcasts from Heaton Lane Stockport to south Manchester and north east Cheshire. Formerly Signal FM and 104.9 KFM. Website: www.imaginefm.net

105.4 : Century
Commercial music station broadcasting from Laser House Salford Quays. Mainstream pop from ‘the 80′s 90′s and now’ also advertised as ‘music you just can’t help singing along to’. The website is www.1054centuryfm.com RDA code

CENTURY_

Owners: GCap Media

Capital Gold 1458
Part of the Capital Gold network across the UK – strapline ‘Where great music lives’ – the Manchester station is owned by GCap Media and broadcast from Laser House Salford Quays. Frequency 1458 kHz am (medium wave), also on DAB and on streaming audio via the website www.capitalgold.com.

Salford Quays home to 3 local radio stations

106.9 : Silk FM
Commercial music station station broadcasting from Macclesfield east Cheshire www.silkfm.com

Silk_FM

107.4 Tower FM
Commercial music station broadcasting from Bolton to the Bolton, Bury and Manchester area Website: www.towerfm.co.uk RDA code:

Tower_FM

Maybe more stations will appear on the Manchester radio dial, and look out for audio content to appear on Eye On Manchester!