City's Student Radio Station A Big Hit With Wider Audience

Wolverhampton’s newest radio station has been acclaimed as a big hit with the public after just over a week on air.

WCR FM’s output on 105.2 FM has generated “a phenomenal response” according to staff and students connected with the station, based at the City of Wolverhampton College.

The student station has been broadcasting on low power medium wave (AM) full time for four years, but the FM boost –carrying the signal far beyond the College campus – is part of a month-long experiment.

With programming designed for a mainstream audience during the day and more specialist output in the evenings, WCR 105.2 FM has been able to widen its catchment area by means of a transmitter based at one of the area’s most elevated pubs, The Rock at Tettenhall.

“This location means our signal reaches across virtually the whole of Wolverhampton,” says the College’s man behind the experiment, Pete Whitehouse.

“Our main purpose has been to tell the City in a lively and interesting way about new courses, enrolment and other developments at the College. But a really professional approach by our broadcasting team and a host of star names ranging from local rock star Gary Stringer from REEF to broadcasting favourite Ed Doolan, local politicians and sports stars have combined to give the output very wide appeal."

“Our usual line-up has been boosted by signing people like former Wolf FM presenter Steve Welch and a host of eager new names determined to use this as a chance to hone their broadcasting skills,” he added.

“ It’s a huge boost for people at the station to know they’re being heard and appreciated right across the city. The number of encouraging phone calls, emails and text messages is way above what we expected"

“Anyone thinking this is a students-only station is in for a pleasant surprise during daytime. But listeners wanting a very different range of music they can’t get from current local stations like Beacon or the Wolf will find lots of very exciting and different sounds during evenings and through the night”

And after the temporary licence period ends ?

“Who knows?” says Pete. We’ll certainly look at repeating it later in the year with a view to eventually making it a permanent part of the broadcasting scene.”

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