Bro Radio
Bro Radio is a community radio station broadcasting to Barry, Llantwit Major, Penarth and surrounding areas in the Vale of Glamorgan (Welsh: Bro Morgannwg), South Wales.
| City | Barry |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Barry and surrounding areas |
| Frequency | 98.1, 98.4 100.2, 106.1 MHz, Online |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English, Welsh |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC |
| History | |
First air date | 31 March 2009 |
| Links | |
| Website | Bro Radio |
The station broadcasts on 98.1 FM in Barry and the central Vale, on 98.4 FM in the St Athan and Rhoose areas, on 100.2 FM in Llantwit Major and western parts of the Vale, and on 106.1 FM in Penarth and the surrounding area.
Overview
Apart from national news bulletins, most of the station's output is produced and presented locally by a team of 60 volunteers, a paid operations director and a sales & finance manager.[1]
In August 2020, plans were announced to broadcast in Penarth and the Eastern Vale of Glamorgan.[2]
In December 2020, Bro Radio was named Station of the Year at the annual Community Radio Awards.[3]
The following year, the station began broadcasting on 106.1 FM to Penarth and the Eastern Vale, along with another relay on 98.4 FM for the St Athan and Rhoose areas.
The station is also planning to launch on DAB in 2022.[4]
Programming
Bro Radio's schedule consists of locally produced programming including music-led daytime output, local news and sport, current affairs and features, events coverage, and specialist programming during the evenings and at weekends.
As of September 2021, the station produces around 110 hours per week, including monthly programmes on business, culture, volunteering and youth affairs, along with a monthly bilingual show on Welsh language music.
News and current affairs
Bro Radio's newsroom produces and broadcasts local news bulletins on the half hour from 6.30am to 9.30am and from 1.30pm to 6.30pm on weekdays, with local headlines on the hour during Vale Drive. At weekends, the local bulletins air on the half hour between 11.30am and 3.30pm.
The newsroom also produces a weekly current affairs programme, The Vale This Week, on Wednesday evenings, along with an online local news service.
The station also airs hourly national bulletins from Sky News Radio 24 hours a day.
References
- Bro Radio (June 2013). "Vale of Glamorgan Council Deed of Grant Report" (PDF). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- Spackman, Nathan (3 August 2020). "Bro Radio continues expansion across the Vale". Bro Radio 98.1fm. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- Bro Radio picks up Station of the Year award, broradio.fm, 14 December 2020
- Spackman, Nathan (8 September 2021). "Bro Radio soon to be clearer in Sully, Penarth, St Athan and Rhoose". Bro Radio 98.1fm. Retrieved 12 November 2021.