BBC Radio Solent

"All of the news on Solent... the sound of the south"

BBC Radio Solent

BBC Radio Solent

BBC Radio Solent

BBC Radio Solent is the BBC Local Radio service for the Isle of Wight and the English counties of Hampshire and Dorset. Its studios are located in Southampton, in the same purpose built office-block as the BBC South Today news studios.

The station is named for the Solent, the area of sea between Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

It broadcasts on 96.1FM and 999AM for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and 103.8 FM and 1359AM for Dorset, DAB and via its website using Real Player. It began broadcasting on December 31, 1970.

Julian Clegg does the breakfast show from 6:30 - 9am and lovable Paul Miller is on from 10pm - 1am.

Managing Editor Mia Costello provoked an angry response from listeners in 2006 when an internal memo was leaked after several long-serving and well-respected presenters were axed in a bid to improve falling listener figures. Its content was reported in the local rag and included:

"Whatever job you do on station, make sure this week, you broadcast to DAVE AND SUE - people in their fifties. ONLY put on callers sounding in the 45-64 range...I don't want to hear really elderly voices... ONLY talk about things that are positive and appealing to people in this age range... ONLY do caller round ups about people in this age range."

Subsequently a number of presenters were asked to leave, including Pippa Greenwood, Peter White and Chris Walker. Oops.

Information amended from the excellent Aircheck UK webpage

BBC Radio Solent Jingles

Click below to return to the BBC page

Take me back!