Here's one from my hometown:

The battle is on for the chance to launch a new radio station in Dorset and
the surrounding areas. A Bournemouth-based Christian radio service, a
student union station and a talk station led by Fred Dinenage are among
those bidding for the chance of a permanent licence.
Bournemouth's Young Men's Christian Aid's broadcasting arm Hope FM has been
transmitting its message in two 28-day broadcasts a year for more than a
decade.

Its community-based programmes include music, interviews, topical
discussions, special guests and slots for thought of the day.

But now the radio station is going head-to head with at least 13 other radio
stations from across the South West, including Bournemouth University's
student union's Nerve Radio, in its bid to win a community radio licence.

If their application is successful Hope FM will have licence to broadcast
across Bournemouth and Poole all year round for up to five years.

Station manager Kevin Mwachiro said: "It's really exciting for us. It's a
local station, run by local people, giving them a great opportunity to get
involved in the community."

Mr Mwachiro explained that in its application Hope FM had to demonstrate to
Ofcom, the communications industry regulator, that there is enough demand
for the radio station.

Meanwhile, Meridian TV presenter Fred Dinenage is leading a bid by The
Wireless Group to launch a new talk radio station in the Solent area.

Ofcom has put the Solent area FM licence, which covers 1,250,000 people
across south Hampshire, east Dorset and the Isle of Wight, up for grabs and
it has attracted interest from 12 other radio stations.

But The Wireless Group hopes to convince Ofcom its allTALK FM interactive
speech-based station, which will specialise in talk shows, can offer
something a little different.

"A speech station would be something entirely different but would complement
the existing local and commercial radio stations currently broadcasting in
the area," Mr Dinenage said.

"A local Solent speech radio station will appeal to a very broad spectrum of
the region's listeners and will be highly relevant and compelling as it
deals with the broad range of political, transport, health, schooling, local
charitable, business, cultural and sporting issues."

The licence, which will run for 12 years, is expected to be on 106MHz FM.
The outcome of the bidding process will be announced after the window for
applications closes on May 5.

The group's business development director Piers Collins said: "There are
quite enough music-led stations and I think we can offer listeners something
new and exciting."

First published: February 26

http://www.thisisbournemouth.co.uk/d...EWS_NEWS6.html