Community radio gets boost from Basingstoke

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The launch of Radio Basingstoke dotcom, at 1pm on Thursday 1st May, heralds a new era in Internet radio when UK Internet Radio Developments (UKIRD) begins broadcasting the first of a series of local community radio stations across the UK.

This new radio station, a joint venture by local music management company Astrid Music Promotions and Internet radio pioneer and public relations guru John Hicks of Headline Promotions Press & PR, will play music of all genres round the clock and, whilst there will be some presenters, there will be less chatter and more music. Though it is funded by commercials, these will be kept to three minute segments each half hour.

Station Manager Lee Williams, another internet radio pioneer and country music radio & TV presenter, said: "Radio Basingstoke is the first of a new generation of Internet radio stations, at the heart of the local community, with support of local musicians is a key part of our mission."

Asked if he was confident of the future of Internet radio, Williams said: "A recent report claimed that internet radio has hit the mainstream. More than 8 million people in the UK listen to web-based radio services every week and nearly 2 million download podcasts on a weekly basis, according to a survey that suggests internet radio has hit the mainstream."

Commissioned by the industry's audience research body Rajar, the Ipsos Mori survey last autumn found that more than 12 million people have listened to the radio online and 8.1 million listen every week either through live streaming or "listen again" services.

For Radio Basingstoke, this is good news. Williams (pictured left with John Hicks, MD of Headline Promotions, Press & PR) said: "This survey proves what we in the radio industry already knew! We are looking forward to the forthcoming launch of Radio Basingstoke on 1st May and this news is very positive for us."

Tasked more about the use of "community" in their mission statement, Williams explained that two local schools, Bishop Challoner RC School and Costello Technology College, are working on weekly shows produced by groups of students. In addition, local presenters will be featured and there will be extensive "what's on" coverage, through the website and on-air programming. Further, local job opportunities will be featured to help jobseekers.

There are also opportunities for the general public to become involved. These range from being able to text requests to the station through to volunteering to master their new MySpace presence (www.myspace.com/radiobasingstoke). In particular, the station will heavily feature news of what is happening in the local community - not just live music but all group and public activities.

This is not the first time Williams and Hicks have collaborated. They are co-founders of the award-winning CMR Nashville Radio (www.cmrnshville.net), Europe's leading country music radio station.

The CMR stable of stations and Radio Basingstoke are being networked, and receive full technical support, from UKIRD (www.ukird.com) who enable businesses and individuals to own their own internet radio station at low cost by sharing common services. This might be a local business person wishing to invest in a local radio station or could be a retailer wishing to have in-store radio. Unsurprisingly, Hicks and Williams are also involved in UKIRD, sharing their expertise in the spirit of the Internet!

Radio Basingstoke will be found on www.radiobasingstoke.com through your PC, internet radio and many popular mobile phones.

John Hicks is a PR specialist in the UK and a pioneer in the field of internet radio stations