Wave 105: The Pulse of Southern Airwaves
A comprehensive overview of the influential regional radio station that served South Hampshire and beyond, detailing its history, operations, and evolution.
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Introduction
Defining Wave 105
Wave 105 was an Independent Regional Radio station headquartered in Fareham, England. Operated by Bauer Media Audio UK, it broadcast across a significant geographical area encompassing South Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, parts of West Sussex, North Wiltshire, and East Dorset. The station was recognized for its substantial listenership, achieving over 405,000 weekly listeners and more than 5 million listening hours as of December 2023, positioning it as a leading regional station in the United Kingdom.
Audience Reach and Impact
According to RAJAR data from December 2023, Wave 105 commanded a weekly audience of approximately 405,000 listeners. This significant reach translated into over 5 million listening hours, establishing it as one of the most popular regional radio stations within the UK and the dominant station in its primary broadcast region. This level of engagement underscores its importance in the local media landscape.
Transition to Greatest Hits Radio
In a significant development announced in February 2024, Bauer Media declared that Wave 105 would be rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio. This transition, effective March 28, 2024, involved merging the station with Greatest Hits Radio South. While the rebranding aimed to consolidate Bauer's radio portfolio, provisions were made for interim opt-outs, including regional breakfast programming, to maintain continuity for its established audience.
Historical Trajectory
Launch and Early Operations
Wave 105 commenced broadcasting on June 14, 1998. Its operational base was established in a studio complex located in Segensworth East, near Fareham. The station initially broadcast on 105.2 MHz, covering South Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Dorset, and Wiltshire. Additionally, it utilized DAB digital radio through the South Hampshire and Dorset multiplexes, and streamed its content online, ensuring broad accessibility.
Affiliations and Content
The station's news services were provided by an in-house local newsroom, collaborating with Sky News Radio. In its later years, Wave 105 shared a common music playlist and several programming features with its sister station, Pirate FM, based in Cornwall. This synergy facilitated operational efficiencies and content consistency across Bauer's regional network.
Frequency Changes
On September 19, 2022, a notable change occurred when the Bournemouth and Poole relay of Wave 105, previously broadcasting on 105.8 FM, was repurposed. Following approval from the broadcast regulator OFCOM, this frequency began relaying Greatest Hits Radio Dorset, signaling an early step in the eventual network-wide consolidation.
Ownership Evolution
Initial Formation and Sale
Wave 105 was initially established by a consortium of private investors under the entity known as The Radio Partnership. Subsequently, the station was acquired by Kelvin MacKenzie's Wireless Group. This marked the first significant change in ownership following its inception.
Consolidation and Acquisition
The Wireless Group later divested Wave 105 to Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH). This acquisition was part of a broader trend of consolidation within the radio industry. Following this, SRH itself was acquired by EMAP in 2005, integrating Wave 105 into a larger media conglomerate.
Bauer Media Era
Currently, Wave 105 is owned by Bauer Media Audio UK. This ownership structure places it within a vast network of radio stations and media properties across Europe, reflecting the ongoing consolidation and strategic management of broadcast assets in the contemporary media landscape.
Recognition and Accolades
Industry Recognition
Wave 105 received notable industry recognition throughout its operational history. In 2023, the station was a finalist for "Station of the Year" at the ARIAS, the United Kingdom's premier radio industry awards ceremony. This nomination highlighted its continued relevance and quality of programming.
Past Achievements
Earlier in its history, Wave 105 secured a significant award in 2004, winning the NTL Commercial Radio Station of the Year award. This accolade was specifically within the category for stations serving an audience potential exceeding one million listeners, acknowledging its substantial reach and operational success during that period.
Transmitter Infrastructure
Analogue FM Transmission
Wave 105 utilized analogue FM broadcasting for its primary signal. The main transmitter was located at Chillerton Down, broadcasting on 105.2 MHz. This transmitter provided a powerful signal covering a wide area, including South Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Dorset, and Wiltshire. The transmitter operated at a power of 10,000 Watts and used the RDS name "Wave_105" with the PI Code "C3AD".
Digital DAB Broadcasting
In addition to FM, Wave 105 was available via Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). It was broadcast on two multiplexes:
- NOW South Hampshire: Utilized a bitrate of 128 kbit/s, with the station identified as "Wave 105" under the short and long labels, and PI Code "C3AD".
- NOW Bournemouth: Also broadcast at 128 kbit/s, similarly identified as "Wave 105" with PI Code "C3AD".
These digital transmissions ensured consistent availability and potential for higher audio quality across its broadcast footprint.
Rebranding to Greatest Hits Radio
Announcement and Rationale
On February 27, 2024, Bauer Media announced a strategic rebranding initiative that included Wave 105. The station was slated to become part of the national Greatest Hits Radio network. This move was part of a broader strategy to unify Bauer's local radio stations in England and Wales under consistent branding and programming structures.
Programming Changes
The rebranding led to a significant shift in programming. While Greatest Hits Radio features national shows hosted by prominent figures like Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo, Bauer planned to retain regional breakfast and afternoon shows. Initially, Rick Jackson and Mark Collins were slated to host these regional slots, providing local news bulletins and travel updates. However, these regional shows were later phased out by Christmas 2024, with Bauer opting for a national feed across most frequencies.
Impact on Staff and Final Broadcast
The transition resulted in redundancies and a review of freelance contracts for presenters. Wave 105 concluded its regular broadcasting operations at 10 PM on March 28, 2024, with a tribute program produced by Tim Allen. The final song played under the Wave 105 brand was Soft Cell's "Say Hello Wave Goodbye." The station was formally relaunched as Greatest Hits Radio the following morning.
Programming and Format
Core Format
Wave 105 primarily adopted an Adult Contemporary music format. This format typically features a playlist of popular music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, alongside contemporary hits, appealing to a broad adult demographic.
Network Affiliation
As part of the Bauer Media group, Wave 105 was affiliated with the Greatest Hits Radio network. This affiliation influenced its programming, music selection, and operational structure, particularly in its later years leading up to the full rebranding.
Ownership and Management
The station was owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK, a major player in the commercial radio sector. This ownership provided access to extensive resources, shared programming elements, and strategic direction within Bauer's wider media portfolio.
Sister Stations
A notable sister station to Wave 105 was Pirate FM, located in Cornwall. The operational synergies between these stations included sharing music playlists and various program features, optimizing resources and content delivery across different regional markets.
External Resources
Official Website
The primary online presence for Wave 105 was its official website, accessible via the URL: planetradio.co.uk/wave-105/ (opens in new tab). This platform provided detailed information about the station, its programming, presenters, and news updates.
Community Engagement
An additional online resource, "Wave 105 Memories," was available via Facebook, fostering community engagement and nostalgia among former listeners and staff. This platform served as a repository for shared experiences and recollections related to the station.
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References
References
- RadioToday, 2022-07-13
- Ofcom approves format change for Wave 105 regional licence, Radio Today, 30 August 2022
- Wave 105 and Pirate FM frequencies to become Greatest Hits Radio, RadioToday, 27 February 2024
- Scottish Radio accepts Emap offer รขยย BBC On-line รขยย Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily the Wikipedia article on Wave 105. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
This is not professional media or broadcasting advice. The content presented here is based on data that may not be entirely current or comprehensive. Always consult official documentation and industry professionals for authoritative information regarding radio broadcasting, media operations, or historical accuracy.
The creators of this content are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein.