BBC Somerset Sound

From Free net encyclopedia

BBC Somerset Sound is the BBC Local Radio service for the historic English county of Somerset. Launched on April 11, 1988, it broadcasts from its new studios in Park Street, Taunton on 1566AM, as well as taking programmes from Radio Bristol, the station that previously had BBC Somerset Sound's earlier ill-fated pre-2002 1323MW frequency. The 1566MW transmitter is relatively weak, and all of BBC Somerset Sound's programmes can only be heard in high quality if you listen via Real Player on their website: bbc.co.uk/somerset. The BBC began broadcasts on FM in 1955, yet 50 years later, BBC Somerset Sound can only be received as a whole on MW. That said, plans are in place to move to FM in 2006 as part of the station's expansion. Andrew Wilson, head of regional and local programmes for BBC West, told the Wells Journal in February 2006: "We hope to get the present service on to FM in the autumn [of 2006], but a fuller Radio Somerset service may not happen for a couple of years. I will be working hard to make it happen quickly." DAB for the station is expected to be launched within the next five years.

External links

• BBC Where I Live website for Somerset
• Why is BBC Somerset Sound not available on FM or DAB?
• History of local radio in Avon and Somerset
• Media UK - BBC Somerset Sound

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