Lincs FM Pre-launch montage

Lincs FM was the first station to be launched by the new Radio Authority in white space, that is an area uncovered by an existing commercial station.

It launched in 1992 and, as Programme Controller, I had the privilege of assembling the launch team. With a very small budget, as the presenters will recall, Clare Carson and I assembled a talented team of presenters and journalists who were, I reckon, a step ahead of what a 'small' station might have expected. These were the dark recessionary days of the early nineties and money was hugely tight.

At launch, we all worked hard. I was on-air, PD, marketing manager and commercial producer, even running off now and again to do some external corporate voiceovers to pump some extra cash through the station. Most expected a swift failure, or a takeover by neighbouring Trent, which had not been successful in acquiring the licence.

Enjoy here a 'demo', where we tried to predict how the station might sound, to showcase it to clients. Hear the voices of Simon Grundy, Jackie Leonard, Clare Carson, Veronica Capaldi, Kid Jensen, Nick Jackson and me. Plus a set of jingles I'm still quite pleased with. As the determined and focused Managing Director, Michael Betton, strictly forbade any American singers, I had to do the best I could with the Manchester Alfasound crowd over Jam tracks, plus a few custom cuts. I reckon we ended up with a decent vocal sound; and overall, the sound and feel seemed to suit the station and the area.

Busy, happy days; and the start of a group which can be proud of its achievements in Lincolnshire and beyond. We aspired to a 40% reach, as enjoyed by Fox FM which was also 'alone' in its patch. It didn't happen whilst I was there, but the team carried off victory within the early years.