Chorley FM - History

History

The name "Chorley FM" originated as the name of a fictional radio station featured in comedy programmes That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere. The fictional station uses a logo based on Century FM in the 1990s.

The 'real-life' station based in Chorley operated for short periods of time each year and was located on Bolton Road and Steeley Lane in the town.

Then on 9 September 2005, Chorley FM was awarded a five-year licence to broadcast round the clock to the local community, this has recently been extended for a further 5 years. It also broadcasts worldwide via the Internet at www.chorley.fm.

The station's target objective is to broadcast for the area's young people and provide them with an opportunity to get involved and gain valuable experience in radio and the media.

Shortly after being granted their licence, the Chorley FM team created a competition in association with the Chorley Citizen newspaper, asking members of the community to design a logo for the station to use throughout its life, which was won by then 15-year-old, Rhys Griffiths. The logo however, changed to the current station logo during a full station re-branding exercise completed in February 2008. Then another rebrand in January 2012.

The station launched their full live output on 24 November 2006 on the frequency 102.8 FM, as well as streaming online via the station website.

In February 2008 Chorley FM saw a re-launch and implemented a new daytime music policy consisting of modern chart music, R&B, commercial dance, Indie rock and a few 80s, 90s chart classics. As of May 2011, the music policy has been relaxed, playing a wider variety of music. From 6pm, more specialist shows are common-place, comprising many forms of Dance music not covered by other radio stations including underground House, Old Skool / Retro House, Garage, Techno, Scouse House, Drum & Bass and Hardstyle. Other shows include the Flat Iron Show (featuring local unsigned bands), a Rock music show, Folk and Irish Music show and a sports show.

Chorley FM identifies its second objective target audience as the local LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) community. In late 2007, Chorley FM won the 'Community Service Award' at the National LGBT Health Summit and drew particular mention to the 'Breakout' Show targeted at the LGBT community of Chorley. Recently a 2nd LGBT has been added to the programming 'In the Pink' which plays mainly club music from the LGBT scene.

In late 2008, Chorley FM worked in Conjunction with Search for a Star (Launched as a joint project with the Daily Star), a talent contest in partnership with Bobby Ball and Casey-Lee Jolleys. The show, hosted by Chorley FM's Nathan Hill and Steven Normyle with celebrity judges that included Bobby Ball, Casey-Lee Jolleys, X-Factor's Rowetta and Garry Bushell. Live theatre style shows took place weekly on the Blackpool North Pier.

2009 has seen the station continue to grow with much media attention; including a number of inclusions in reports on Granada Reports and a behind the scenes look into volunteering as a young person at Chorley FM as part of the national BBC Blast project.