Radio station makes waves across Salisbury

Salisbury’s local radio station is available on DAB digital radio across south Wiltshire and west Hampshire from today.

Salisbury Radio launches officially at 5pm today (Monday 28th March), as the Mayor of Salisbury cuts the ribbon on their broadcasting studios on Endless Street.

The station which has been broadcasting on online and via smart speakers since the demise of Spire FM will be available to around 160,000 people from today and will ‘officially open’ with special words from Spire FM founder Chris Carnegy. 

Promising a mix of ‘Just Great Songs’ and a commitment to informing people ‘The Way It Is’ every hour with local news, sport and travel the radio station will feature voices and names of people familiar to those from the area.

Managing Director David Harber says, “While many local radio stations have been swallowed up by corporate groups in recent years, we believe that the city deserves a local radio station which lives and breathes the area, is based in the city and is committed to showing support for the many people, groups and businesses in the area.

“Do expect to hear voices of people you know and recognise, not just the voices of our DJs.

“Salisbury Radio is proud to have partnered with many of the area’s strongest local businesses, the City Council and the Business Improvement District to exhibit, promote and attend the many superb events and activities the area has to offer”.

The station which has attained a ‘remarkable’ audience through its recent broadcasts on smart speakers proves that the way that people are listening to radio is changing.  Station Manager and Breakfast Show co-host Craig Hicks says, “The future of radio listening is digital and we are leading the way. 

“The listenership we have attracted using these modern platforms is remarkable, but the addition to listening to us in cars with a digital radio is the icing on the cake”. 

Other new services that will be available from today include BFBS, the forces radio station. 

Nicky Ness, Controller of Radio at BFBS says, “BFBS has been firmly established in Salisbury Plain on analogue radio for many years, but from today we are now able to broadcast four services on DAB digital radio to the wider Salisbury area.  This is a huge development for our armed forces community”.

According to radio audience measurement company RAJAR, 68% of all commercial radio listening is now through a digital device whereas FM now accounts for only 32% (Q4 2021).

Salisbury Radio will be hosting major events in the area such as Race4Life, St George’s Day and Armed Forces Day while also giving listeners the chance to win cash with their ‘Secret Sound’ competition, thanks to property company Carter and May. 

Listeners are encouraged to scroll or search for SALISBURY RADIO on their DAB radio, some older devices may need to be re-scanned to receive the service.