Derby's RAM FM

Distinguish|RAM FM (West Bank)

Infobox Radio station


name = Derby's RAM FM
airdate = March 3 1987
share = 4.8%
share as of = September 2007
share source = [http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php]
frequency = 102.8 MHz
area = Derbyshire and East Staffordshire
format = Contemporary
owner = Global Radio
website = [http://www.ramfm.co.uk/ www.ramfm.co.uk]

Derby's RAM FM is the Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the Derbyshire and East Staffordshire area on 102.8 FM. RAM FM is owned by Global Radio.

History

The station began life in March 1987 as the Derby opt out of Nottingham's Radio Trent (initially known as "Radio Trent 945").

The station was then owned by Midlands Radio plc. In October 1988, the station's MW frequency combined with Radio Trent's and Leicester Sound's to form GEM AM, a classic hits station, which was sold to the UBC media group in 2000, renamed Classic Gold GEM and is now Gold. The 102.8 FM frequency continued with its pop music format.

In February 1994, Midlands Radio was bought, like many radio stations at that time, by GWR. Soon after, the need for Derbyshire to have its own commercial radio station was recognised, and so the FM service on 102.8 was relaunched as RAM FM. The benefits were seen in the next set of official RAJAR audience figures, with RAM FM more than doubling the reach and market share of the previous Trent opt out service.

RAM FM is the market leading commercial radio station in the Derby area.

Current details

Ram FM is a "Your Hit Music Staion", and the station's studios were originally based in Derby Assembly Rooms, before moving to first and second floor offices at Norwich Union House in nearby Iron Gate.

The Breakfast Show is presented by Dino and Pete, the mid morning show is presented by Mark Dennison which is Networked in the "Hit Music Network" coming from Trent FMs studios in Nottingham and also broadcasting on other stations eg Leicester Sound, Ten-17, Mercury and Trent FM. "J" (formerly at BRMB),who used to present the morning show now has a network show weeknights from 7-10 on the "Hit Music Network". The afternoon drivetime show by Andy Miller.

The station broadcasts news bulletins that are a mixture of local, national and international news and sport on weekdays half hourly from 6am until 9am, and then hourly until 7pm. On Saturdays RAM FM broadcasts bulletins from 7am until 1pm, and on Sundays from 8am until 1pm.

During the football season, RAM FM broadcasts full match commentary on all Derby County games, home and away. The commentary team comprises Phil Matthews and Derby County legend , Roger Davies.

Recent additions to the weekend lineup include "J" on Saturdays from 12 noon to 4PM, and "Steffan" on Sundays from 12-4pm

RAM FM hosts the following events annually:

* Derby City Bonfire and Fireworks,
* Derby City Christmas Lights Switch On,
* Darley Park Concert Weekend,
* Cancer Research UK Race For Life in Derby and Castle Donington.

The transmitter is situated at Drum Hill, five miles north of Derby, near Little Eaton.

RAM FM is available as an audio stream on the internet, and will be available on DAB Digital Radio soon as part of the NOW Derbyshire DAB Multiplex. [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/dcr/awards/derbyshire/]

The station is owned by the GCap Media group.

External links

* [http://www.ramfm.co.uk/ Official website]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/drum-hill.asp Drum Hill transmitter.]
* [http://radio-live-israel.co.il/radio-RAMFM.aspx Ram FM Live]