BBC Radio Leicester
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BBC Radio Leicester is the BBC Local Radio service for the English counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. It broadcasts from studios in Leicester on 104.9 FM, on DAB, and via Real Player on its website (where individual programmes are also available using the "listen again" facility). The station's former 837 kHz medium wave frequency is now used by the BBC Asian Network, a popular service in Leicester. Radio Leicester was the very first BBC Local Radio station, and began broadcasting on 8 November 1967.
The transmitter is actually only 220ft, but is set 750ft high on the tops of the Jurassic limestone ridge at Copt Oak, next to the M1. The signal reaches a long way throughout the southern section of the East Midlands, Warwickshire, and Northamptonshire. This is a high point in Charnwood Forest, part of the National Forest. The signal can be heard as far south as Towcester and as far north along the M1 up to the Woodall service station near Sheffield.
The transmitter also broadcasts Heart 106, a commercial station. Leicester also has Leicester Sound, with the transmitter in Billesdon, eight miles east of Leicester near the A47. Fosseway Radio, a smaller station, has broadcast from Hinckley since 1998.
The early morning show, hosted by Dylan Roys, from 5 - 6am is from Lincoln and is heard across the East Midlands. Ben Jackson does the breakfast show from 6am until 9am. John Florance hosts the programme Talkback every weekday from 2pm until 4pm. In the evening, the East Midlands local radio share the same programme from the Nottingham studios hosted by Rob Underwood from 9pm until 12am. Like a public service feature of East Midlands BBC local radio, staff from local job centres have a daily announcement of current vacancies.