Harborough FM
 |
|
| Broadcast area | Market Harborough, South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 102.3 MHz |
| First air date | February 2007 |
| Format | Contemporary |
| Owner | Independent |
| Website | HFM website |
Harborough FM (HFM) is a community radio station covering Market Harborough, South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire in the United Kingdom.
HFM was originally formed in November 1994 with the aim to provide a local FM radio station for Market Harborough and South Leicestershire as it was generally felt that the established independent local stations and the local BBC stations failed to cater for the population of South Leicestershire.
Between 1994 and 2004, the station carried out eleven successful broadcasts, the last one being in June 2004. These broadcasts were made under the Radio Authority's 'Restricted Service Licence' scheme which allowed the station to broadcast for a maximum period of 28 days.
On 15 June 2005 HFM were awarded a full-time licence by Ofcom, HM Government's Office of Communications, to broadcast to Market Harborough and South Leicestershire 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The station launched on Saturday 10 February 2007 with a live broadcast from The Square in Market Harborough's town centre. The station was switched on by Eva Winston-Hart, a local toddler suffering from a rare form of leaukemia. The first official voice on the station was that of Chris Jones, Programme Controller, and the first record played was "Are You Ready For Love" by Elton John.
HFM's programming is music-based but also focuses on community news and events. There is a daily Community Update as well as local news on the hour 8.00am - 6.00pm on weekdays, with updates at the weekends. Outside of these times, the station takes IRN (Independent Radio News)
Typical of HFMs community support and information is the Snowline established during the heavy snow during the first week of February 2009. Presenters give out continual updates of school, college and business closures as well as details of road and rail conditions. All the local schools contribute and HFMs' award-winning website receives over 1,000 unique visits on each such day.
HFM hosts many events in and around Market Harborough, ranging from school fetes to family fun days, late night shopping and both of the major firework displays in town.The high profile of the station is one of the major reasons for its success.
...
Wikipedia