The Super Station

It wasn’t really a fully-fledged radio station and, like Count Dracula, it only came out a night: it was the ILR “sustaining service” The Super Station. Essentially allowing those stations that didn’t operate around the clock to offer a 24-hour service it was a 10 pm to 6 am series of shows funded by Richard Branson and run by station manager Rob Jones. Initially the shows came from the studios of BFBS in Paddington and the launch line-up included Ruby Wax, Jonathan Ross, Johnnie Walker, Bob Harris, Nicky Horne and Diana Luke. Producers included Chris Evans, John Revell and Phil Ward-Large. From the first night’s output, 1 July 1988, you’ll hear Ruby Wax, Johnnie Walker and Nicky Horne. Yes I was one of those anoraks ready with my tape recorder that Johnnie mentions! The station moved studios, eventually heading to Key 103 in Manchester, big-name DJs left and the money ran out – there was insufficient advertising revenue – and Branson sold the station to Owen Oyston’s Trans World Communications. The Super Station closed in 1990.