NME Radio is the radio station from
NME magazine, that broadcasts in a new and
alternative music format. It first began broadcasting on 24 June 2008.
History
After approach by
DX Media, IPC Media agreed a contract to allow DX to launch a radio station under the NME brand.
NME Radio was created to 'fill the void' that was created after XFM London was bought out by Capital Radio, when some believe it turned into a second version of Virgin Radio in 1998. The station's co-founder and Managing Director was the creator of XFM, Sammy Jacob.
Operated from studios in the Blue Fin Building on London's South Bank, also home to IPC Media, NME Radio was launched on 24 June 2008 with its first played song being "Knights of Cydonia" by British rock band Muse.
On Friday 11 June 2010 it was announced on the Guardian news website that NME Radio was to cease broadcasting on DAB digital radio, Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat TV networks, and would revert to an online only "Jukebox" format - no DJs or adverts, after DX Media has terminated the agreement to produce digital radio station. NME Radio was removed from Freesat on 16 June and Virgin Media on 1 July 2010 but remained on Sky.
On 21 July 2010, IPC Media signed a deal with local radio group Town and Country Broadcasting. NME Radio will relaunch in September and return to some regional digital audio broadcasting (DAB) multiplexes. It is expected to return to digital TV platforms as well as an iPhone app. A return to national DAB platform Digital One may also follow. NME Radio will be dually sited at IPC Media's London HQ and Town and Country Broadcasting's station in south Wales, Nation Radio.
Programming
NME Radio formerly featured 16 hours of live broadcasting from IPC Media's London HQ. Following the take over by
Town and Country Broadcasting presenter lead output was removed from weekends and reduced 11am till 10 pm.
Town and Country Broadcasting has been
criticised for its use of pre-records. All of NME Radio's shows are voice tracked with the DJ's doing multiple shows across the Town and Country portfolio of stations.
Availability
Sky EPG – Channel 0184
Freesat EPG – Channel 727
Online
DAB Radio – Cardiff & Newport Multiplex.
Surrey & North Sussex Mux – launch date to be announced.
References
External links
Official Website - nmeradio.com
Facebook Profile
MySpace Profile
Bebo Profile
Twitter Profile
Flickr Profile
Last.fm Profile
Category:Radio stations established in 2008
Category:Internet radio in the United Kingdom
Category:Satellite radio stations