Multi-award-winning Angel Radio was the brainchild of electrician, art & design technician, and former pirate radio operator, Tony Smith. This unique station was launched in 1999 to bring music and memories into the homes of older people at a time when other radio stations were concentrating on younger listeners.
In 2002 the Radio Authority invited Angel Radio to run on a full-time licence as an experiment to test the feasibility and viability of a small group of volunteers running their own community radio service. In 2006 the media regulator, Ofcom, announced that they would be issuing the first full-time community radio licenses and, having been on air continuously since February 2002, Angel Radio is the longest running community licensee in the UK. Angel Radio is unique in both the music it plays, which covers the period from the 1900s through to the 1960s, and its aim to provide mental and physical stimulation to older radio listeners, created by a team of older broadcasters, in a relaxed, informal atmosphere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In 2015 began another community experiment for Ofcom, this time to prove that a small community group could run its own DAB multiplex. The increased income from listener donations, and income from Angel Radio’s experimental Small Scale DAB transmitter also enabled further expansion of Angel’s own DAB coverage. This expansion is due to the ground-breaking work of Angel Radio’s Digital Development Manager, Ash Elford.
Angel Radio regularly provides work experience placements for secondary school and college students. They learn about the importance of the station for the elderly, as well as having hands on experience of producing and presenting radio programmes.
The name Angel was chosen to signify “heavenly music and devilish fun”.
Listeners can telephone the station’s free-phone number, 0800 014 1955, or email studio@angelradio to request a piece of music and hear it within minutes. Listeners can also respond to quizzes and competitions.
Guests often visit the radio station to chat about a particular subject of interest. Angel Radio’s coffee time exercise programmes help to prevent falls, aid breathing, and generally enhance wellbeing. On Sunday mornings Angel Radio’s team of retired vicars provide old-style church services for those listeners who can no longer get to the church of their choice.
Angel Radio also runs Swinging Radio 60s, a sister station with a team of knowledgeable presenters who play only 60s music and recreate the sound of the 1960s pop pirate ships. Swinging Radio 60s broadcasts locally in the Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, area on DAB+ and globally online.
In 2014 the Radio Academy judges voted Angel Radio - Best Radio Station Serving Listeners in the South of England. They described Angel Radio as “A station with its own unique place and purpose. Angel Radio celebrates the past in a warm inclusive way and is clearly adored within its target demographic. With a charming mix of fun, nostalgia and practical support for its listeners, the station serves a very powerful purpose in bringing together a community and giving them a place to belong”.
Angel Radio is your music and memories station on FM, DAB, Online.
