Community internet radio station, Radio Bracknell, launches on 1st February 2009.
Bracknell, Berks, 01 January, 2009:
Radio Bracknell, a new community internet music radio station, launches on 1st February to broadcast around the clock to Bracknell, Berkshire and, through the power of the Internet, around the globe.
The radio station, founded by marketing and public relations consultant John Hicks, who has close family connections with Bracknell, seeks to involve local people by encouraging them to share their passion for music by presenting their own shows or, in the case of local musicians, facilitating them showcasing their work to a larger audience.
Listeners can enjoy the programmes on their computers at work, PC’s at home, wi-fi radios, many models of mobile phones, Playstation PSP’s and in-car entertainment systems through Bluetooth enabled hands-free mobile phone kits.
John has been involved in several internet and local radio stations previously including being co-founder, along with international country music radio and television personality Lee Williams, of the very successful country music station, CMR Nashville (
http://www.cmrnashville.net/) which had a global listening audience of 2 million people in the year ending September 2008. But he says Radio Bracknell will be different.
“We will be at the heart of the local community, despite also being listened to by people around the world. Enabling young people, local DJ’s and music enthusiasts to produce and broadcast their own shows is only the first element of that community involvement.” John said.
Elsewhere, John has worked with schools and youth groups to enable young people to produce programmes so time has been allocated in the Radio Bracknell schedule for such programmes.
“Our website will have comprehensive links to sources of “what’s on” and job vacancies information. It will also support local retailers, venues and outlets by facilitating local businesses offering our listeners special promotions through membership of our RBXclusive listener club.” John added.
Local people who would like to be involved can volunteer to help by maintain and developing the websites (including MySpace, Facebook and Next2Friends presence) or promoting the station in the local area. John said: “Volunteering enables local people to become part of a small team supporting a local project whilst having fun at the same time as gaining new skills”.
The choice of music is very wide, from pop and dance through to jazz and country. Some shows are being syndicated from the United States with some stations there taking Radio Bracknell programmes on a reciprocal basis.
“Some people ask why I am proceeding with the launch in the current economic downturn here in the UK. Having weathered the economic storms over many years in business, I know these things are cyclical. Like all businesses, radio stations take several years to gain credibility so launching now means that we will be established by the time the UK economy shakes off the recession. Besides, we all need cheering up and Radio Bracknell will be fun, interesting and useful so perhaps the timing is perfect.” John says.
The Radio Bracknell website, where further information can be obtained, is at
http://www.radiobracknell.com/ and John can be contacted at
john@radiobracknell.com.
