Free Radio (Shropshire & The Black Country), like each local commercial station in the UK has obligations with regard to its programmes, including its music and local content. These obligations are set out in the station Format which forms part of our Public File. The station used to be called Beacon.
The Public File is just one indicator of our output. Just ask us if you’d like a hard copy. If you have any comments on it, let us know or, if necessary, contact our regulator, Ofcom.
News
Except in special or exceptional circumstances (which may include some bank holidays,) the station broadcasts news bulletins hourly from 0600 until 1900 and on the half-hour between 0600 and 0900, 1600 and 1900 on weekdays. These bulletins contain a mix of local/regional, national and world stories, along with sport, weather and entertainment news.
At the weekend, bulletins containing local/regional, national and world news, along with sport, weather and entertainment news, are broadcast between 0700 and 1300.
Additionally, at other times, bulletins containing national and world news, prepared by Sky, are broadcast.
Recent stories can be seen here.
The News team is managed by the Group News Editor, Vicky Breakwell – vicky.breakwell@orionmedia.com. You may also contact the news team on news@freeradio.co.uk or on 01902 461260.
The local news operation is based at the station itself generally at weekday peak times, with some content prepared from a Midlands news hub at other times.
Programmes
The station broadcasts twenty four hours a day, with programmes as listed here.
Programme Production
No programming within daytimes is automated. Our overnight or some late programming may generally be automated, but may be live in times of adverse weather or other relevant circumstances.
Local Programming
Except in special or exceptional circumstances (e.g. specials), our programmes are broadcast from Wolverhampton between 06.00 and 10.00, and between 1600 and 1900 (2000, Monday to Thursday). Programming between 1000 and 1600 is generally from Birmingham. At the weekends, programming is from Wolverhampton between 0700 and 1100. At other times, programmes originate from Birmingham, apart from ‘destination’ programme specials which may be broadcast from other studios around the UK (e.g. The Big Top 40 and ‘Sam and Mark’).
Guidelines
Guidelines on localness have been published by our regulator OFCOM, and are available here
Contact
To contact the radio station generally, you may use our ‘contact us’ page and we seek to reply to any emails which raise substantive issues. Should you wish to speak to programme management about some area of output , please contact simon.walkington@orionmedia.com You can also contact us during office hours on 01902 461300. Any complaints or comments may also be lodged via the website (click ‘say hello’ and then use ’I'd like to make an enquiry or comment about a programme’ on the drop-down menu.)
Events/Charities support or coverage
The station stages several events and charity initiatives through the year. Our major charity event for 2012 – Walk of the Black Country took place on Sunday 10th June with 3500 walkers taking part in the 10 mile route from Himley Hall to Wolverhampton Racecourse, raising over £117,000 for Promise Dreams.
Recent programme and or/news highlights
Our website covers much of the programming we’re proud of (general and, where appropriate, news).
Through recent news bulletins, we have covered the death of a teenager at Shropshire children’s home, a huge fire at a gin distillery in Oldbury and the Police & Crime Commissioner elections.
Localness
We aim that our radio stations belong to the areas they serve. Do let us have any suggestions or thoughts.
Music
Our output is Today’s best music mix: Contemporary and Chart-oriented. Examples of some of the songs we play are on our playlist.
Format
As outlined at the head of this document, the station is governed by a Format, which forms part of our licence. Our Format is available here.
How to complain
Live, entertaining radio always carries some risk. We try to get things right, and not all programmes will be to everyone’s taste. Where we do make mistakes, we do try to take appropriate action as quickly as we can. Please do get in touch with any comments – praise or complaints and we’ll consider them carefully. Contact us here.
If you need to speak to us directly, our weekday office hours phone numbers are above. Should you feel we have not taken the right action regarding a broadcast after contacting us, you may refer the matter to our regulator Ofcom.