Roy Martin and Sophie Greenwood, Bournemouth One. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: October 17, 2023 | Updated: 17th October 2023
A new radio station promising to play ‘the best songs on the radio’ coupled with local news updates every 20 minutes is to be launched in Bournemouth.
Bournemouth One has already started test transmissions with the official launch scheduled for 1pm on January 1, 2024, at http://www.bournemouthone.com/ and on DAB at a later date.
News of Bournemouth One was announced today – October 17 – on the 100th anniversary of the launch of 6BM – Bournemouth’s first radio station.
The last of eight original stations established by the then-named British Broadcasting Company, 6BM transmitted from a studio in Holdenhurst Road from 1923 to 1939.
Together with the seven other BBC stations it became the Home Service at the start of World War 2.
Bournemouth One is the brainchild of Sophie Greenwood and Roy Martin together with a small team of radio professionals.
Roy Martin, Co-Founder, Bournemouth One. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
The duo, both aged 45, have 60 years of radio experience between them in both on and off-air roles.
Their paths first crossed when they were 14 and working as volunteers at a hospital radio station.
Roy, who is also Founder and Editor of the online news website RadioToday – https://radiotoday.co.uk/ – said: “Our plans for Bournemouth One go back about five years and have evolved over that time.
“We think there’s a real need for a radio station offering the very best in music but also news, travel and sport in one place.”
Sophie Greenwood, Co-Founder, Bournemouth One. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Sophie, a graphic designer as well as an audio producer, said the new station would have a ‘feel-good’ factor, playing popular songs from the 1980s to 2020s, with occasional classics and new songs.
She added: “It will be clutter-free with no long commercial breaks or DJs interrupting the flow of music.
“We’re very excited about the launch and can’t wait to get going.”
A particular feature of Bournemouth One will be a ‘20/20’ update, broadcast every 20 minutes, around the clock, seven days a week.
It will provide real-time information from Bournemouth One’s team of journalists and announcers.
The short updates will include breaking news, weather alerts, what’s on, coastal information, live temperature checks and current roadworks/traffic hotspots.
Sponsorship of regular features, such as travel, weather and event listings is available on a first-come first served basis.
Only 20 sponsorships are available at launch with two already taken.
Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre in Matchams Lane, Christchurch is the first commercial partner to join as weather sponsor.
Director Nick Warne said: “Getting involved from the start with a brand new radio station for our area was a no-brainer.
“We’re delighted to support the service and wish them all the success for the future.”
Apart from on BournemouthOne.com, the new station’s test stream can also be heard via mobile phone apps, smart speakers and TuneIn.
