Banbury FM is the local radio station for our town with a mix of local news and information, great music and professional presenters. They utilise the latest technology to reflect life here, both on-air and on-line, and offer cost effective realistic advertising packages to help local businesses grow.
A good local radio station should keep people informed, engaged and entertained; it should encourage growth, community spirit and pride in an area. These are the values under which Banbury FM operates. People spend most of their time living their lives locally – this is something which the coronavirus lockdown certainly amplified. Banbury FM reflects this: you may hear one of their presenters talking about a shop you were in that same day, or a meal they had in one of the local restaurants you also frequent.
The Banbury FM team includes the Banbury born and bred broadcaster and media consultant Andy Green – a former Fox FM presenter who has run successful and market leading local radio stations across the country. Andy held the position Group Programme Director for the Milestone Group’s portfolio of seven radio stations and subsequently became a Regional Programme Controller for Tindle Radio. As well as presenting Banbury FM’s breakfast show Andy is also the station’s Managing Director.
Our other presenters include Ian Downs – an experienced radio and TV presenter and Pete Gardner, who will be well known to Chamber members through his “day job” role at Spratt Endicott Solicitors and as member of the Banbury Chamber of Commerce board.
Banbury FM’s history dates back to 2001 when the first incarnation of the station launched the campaign for our town to have it’s own radio station. Anyone with a long memory may recall their studios outside the Tesco Extra store with Saturday mornings presented by the broadcasting legend John Craven OBE. Banbury FM relaunched digitally in 2019 offering Banbury it’s own bespoke radio station once again.
The Banbury FM relaunch came at a time when official figures showed listening to traditional radio on “FM” was in decline whilst digital listening was growing fast. Today people are getting more and more used to listening to radio stations via apps and using Internet Radio enabled devices. The pandemic has led to a huge rise in listening via smart speakers where it is as simple as saying “play Banbury FM”. Banbury FM utilises all these digital opportunities to deliver the area a high quality, but locally focussed radio station reflecting what is happening right here in Banbury, today.
In the near future Banbury will get its own small-scale DAB digital radio service and Banbury FM is the lead member of the North Oxon Digital bid for that licence.
Banbury FM is keen to hear from anyone wanting to promote their business, charity event or campaign, or with a local story of interest. They will work with you to get your message across to their on-air listeners and on-line website readers.
They are also interested in speaking to anyone who would like to support their group’s application for the small-scale DAB licence for Banbury and Bicester. They hope to see the licence remain locally owned and controlled so it can deliver services to help grow and support North Oxfordshire businesses and our local community.
Find out more at banburyfm.com
