County Sound
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| City | Guildford |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Guildford |
| Slogan | The best songs of all time. |
| Frequency | 1566 kHz |
| First air date | 4 April 1983 - 2 April 2012 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Audience share | 0.5% (December 2009, [1]) |
| Owner | UKRD Group |
| Website | http://www.eagleextra.co.uk/ |
County Sound Radio was a commercial radio station covering Surrey and north-east Hampshire. It is now broadcast as 'Eagle Extra' on 1566 MW and 91.5 FM (on cable) and on the internet via the website.
County Sound Radio was launched on 4 April 1983 by Frank Muir on 203 MW and 96.6 FM, broadcasting from "The Friary" shopping centre in Guildford. In 1986 the FM frequency was changed to 96.4 FM.
The FM transmitter is on the Hog's Back, while the AM transmitter, shared with Absolute Radio, is next to the railway line in Farncombe, opposite Broadwater School.
County Sound was originally only on air (weekdays) 6am until 9pm, then midnight, with future extensions to 5am and 1am, before going 24 hours.
The original line-up included Phil Miles at Breakfast, Paul Owens, Sarah Lucas "after lunch" and Simon Cummings during the afternoon. Nigel Williams presented the evening show called '96.6'. Norman Cunningham was the company Chairman, David Lucas was the launch Managing Director and Mike Powell was the first Head of News. The following year Powell became Programme Director. When Lucas left in 1986 to become Managing Director of Ocean Sound, Powell became Managing Director.
County Sound was noted for its long news programmes called "County World" at lunchtime and 6pm.
The County Sound Radio theme was written by board member Les Reed (who also wrote Delilah, The Last Waltz and many other hits) with the slogan "The One and Only One for You". The lyrics to the County Sound song were:
Here comes the morning, it's a brand new day (Alt. lyrics for afternoon and evening: We are your music, and your news each day). Turn on the sunshine. The County Sound way. Open up your heart, and you will let a little sunshine through, with County Sound, the one and only one for you. We'll always be here, each and every day. Where ever you're going, we're going your way. Come with us and ride the airwaves discover something new, on County Sound - the one and only one for you. County Sound, the one and only one for you.
County Sound's mascot was Brewster the Mouse, often seen at fetes, fairs and shows in Surrey and North East Hampshire.
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Wikipedia