EXETER RADIO: ‘FIRST IN WINS’ The battle between the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority for Exeter’s local radio station—also serving Torbay—will be decided on the basis of first come, first served. Leader of the city council Mr Richard Van Oppen yesterday made it clear that this would be the […]
DevonAir Radio
124 posts
Local radio groups merge Two rival groups in the fight for the Torbay and Exeter commercial radio franchise have merged — bringing the number of consortia down to three. They were the last two groups to enter the arena — Radio Exe, which includes Mr Dave Cousins, a member of […]
First station to operate divided area DEVONAIR, the 26th ILR station and the seventh of the nine “new” stations authorised in October 1978 by the Home Office, came on the air last Friday, November 7. It is the first of the ILR stations to operate a divided area. Its […]
BBC LOCAL RADIO PLANSLETTERS TO THE EDITOR MAY I correct a false impression which may have been given by Mr. J. E. Wheatley, chairman of Bay City Radio Limited, in his recent letter headed, Duplication by BBC? He says Bay City Radio has a very advanced plan for a radio […]
THIRD COMPANY IN LOCAL RADIO BID RIVIERA Radio Ltd, which was formed last year, is to apply for the Torbay and Exeter region independent radio franchise. The BBC and another independent local company, Bay City Radio, have already shown interest in the franchise. Riviera Radio, whose chairman is Mr F. […]
Radio group’s new man Riviera Radio, one of the companies battling for the local commercial radio franchise, today announced the appointment of a new director, Prof. Walter Minchinton, to take responsibility for the arts and cultural aspect of the company’s work. Prof. Minchinton is Professor of Economic History at […]
Two rival groups in the fight for the Torbay and Exeter commercial radio franchise have merged — bringing the number of consortia down to three. They were the last two groups to enter the arena — Radio Exe, which includes Mr Dave Cousins, a member of the Strawbs rock group, […]
DevonAir Radio, the new ILR station serving Exeter and Torbay, is planning an autumn 1980 launch, subject to final confirmation from the Independent Broadcasting Authority. The station will broadcast on both VHF and medium wave, with a strong emphasis on local news, information, and community involvement, alongside a varied music […]
Local radio battle near end The three groups fighting it out for the franchise to run the independent local radio station covering Torbay and Exeter are coming to the final stages before a decision is made. All three — Bay City Radio, Haldon Radio, and Riviera Radio — are represented […]
Misunderstanding over studio plan The secretary of Radio Haldon, which will be South Devon’s independent radio station when it opens around the end of next year, has said that a planning application to use a Torquay hotel as a studio was withdrawn because of a “misunderstanding.” The application, to use […]
Three want local radio contract There are three applications for the contract to operate an Independent Local Radio service for Exeter and Torbay, the IBA said today. There had been hints of some late applications but when the closing date arrived there were only the expected three from Bay City […]
Setback for Radio Haldon It took Torbay’s planners a matter of minutes yesterday to refuse Radio Haldon permission for a broadcasting studio in Torquay. However, the people behind the company, who will operate on the air as DevonAir, said today: “We will still be opening up in Torquay. “We have […]
New move in Trades Council president row The TUC are to be asked to investigate the involvement of Torbay Trades Council president Mr Brian Quarmby with Bay City Radio. The president is a director of the consortium which with two others is fighting for the broadcasting franchise of Exeter and […]
Local radio delayed by planners DEVONAIR has pulled out of negotiations for a broadcasting studio at the Tregantle Hotel, Torquay, because Torbay council is taking too long to deal with the application. “We will have to look elsewhere,” Mr Norman Devonport, chairman of Devon Air’s mother company, Radio Haldon, said […]
Union man rapped for radio linkby Simon Orrell THE PRESIDENT of Torbay Trades Union Council has been attacked by a member of the executive committee who claims the head of the council is involved with a local radio group without the knowledge and support of many of the trade unionists. […]
Torbay studio plan dropped RADIO HALDON — who have been awarded the contract for independent broadcasting in the Torbay and Exeter area — have withdrawn their application to use a Torquay hotel as their Torbay studio. Planning officers told Torbay council’s planning committee yesterday that the scheme to convert the […]
Radio station for Torbay DEVONAIR, Torbay and Exeter’s independent radio station, will be the first of its kind in the world to have twin stations, Mr Norman Devonport, chairman of Haldon Radio, revealed today. Yesterday, the Independent Broadcasting Authority announced that Haldon Radio had won the three-horse race for the […]
Speculation over radio pull-out The fight for the independent local radio franchise for Torbay and Exeter area may now be between two applicants following a rumour that Bay City Radio had been dropped by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. The IBA in London refused to discuss the situation. “We cannot confirm […]
Traders air radio views Service from local radio TORQUAY Chamber of Trade does not want to see the new local radio station given over entirely to pop music. Members felt there should be a balanced programme with music catering for all tastes, local news and traffic bulletins and information for […]
Battle begins for air waves MEMBERS of the Independent Broadcasting Authority will visit Exeter and Torbay next week to hold preliminary interviews with the three sets of applicants for the contract to provide an Independent local radio service. Further interviewing will take place in London later. Applications for the Exeter/Torbay […]
Local radio ‘should serve community’ THERE was a murmur of discontent when Mrs Mary Warnock, a member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, told a mainly elderly and religious-minded audience that old people liked pop music. Mrs Warnock chaired an open meeting called by the IBA at Oldway, Paignton. Several hundred […]
Traders decide what they want from radio PAIGNTON Chamber of Trade, who were asked by the IBA to submit their views on a local radio station, last night made their final decisions. Points and ideas included were: Advertising in Torbay kept separate from the twin area, Exeter. Time set aside […]
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo – Thursday 15 May 1986
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo – Saturday 23 June 1990
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo – Wednesday 07 November 1990 02
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo – Wednesday 07 November 1990
Billboard – 17 May 1986
DevonAir Radio was granted planning permission to use the 4th floor at Harbour Point, Torquay, on the 29th October 1979.
I applied for and was auditioned to present the late evening programme in August 1980. Although the audition was a nightmare (I had to ‘interview’ Programme Controller, Jeff Winston, about Russian dissidents a subject he knew a lot and I knew nothing), I got the job and the 2200-midnight weekday […]
Franchise road does a full circle (see also Chairman’s Report, 1991 here). Western Morning News 29 January 1999
Radio bidders to go public Bay City Radio, which is bidding for the local broadcasting licences in Exeter and Torbay currently held by DevonAir, is to hold two public meetings. The meetings are intended to allow the public to meet the group and discuss their plans for commercial radio after […]
Franchise losing station gains fans. Soon to be silenced, DevonAir is the only Westcountry radio station to have increased its weekly share of listeners, according to the latest figures. The commercial radio station lost its franchise in November after 13 years of broadcasting and will be replaced by Westcountry-based Gemini […]
DevonAir face challengeBattle of the air waves ONE of the casualties of the franchise battle between TSW and Westcountry TV is hoping to return to his roots in radio. Presenter David FitzGerald lost his TSW job in January when the independent franchise shifted to Westcountry. Since then he has been […]
South Devon Journal 05 March 1993
Herald Express 25 October 1993
Herald Express 13 June 2002
Herald Express 11 August 1993
Herald Express 10 November 1993
Herald Express 10 August 1993
Herald Express 09 October 1993
Herald Express 08 November 1980
Herald Express 08 October 1993
Herald Express 07 May 1993
Herald Express 02 January 1995
The San Francisco Examiner April 16 1991
DevonAir Radio, as a member of AIRC (Association of Independent Radio Contractors), submitted a response to the Peacock Committee in 1985 regarding BBC funding. This document is now held by The National Archives at Kew (HO 327/5). It reads: Professor A Peacock c/o Room 1078 The Home Office 50 Queen […]
DevonAir Radio had fantastic studios in Torquay at Harbour Point. Technically it was a copy of the Control One, Studio One facilities in Exeter. The Harbour Point studios were used mainly for programmes transmitted to Torbay and South Devon although they had the capacity to network live programmes across both […]
DJ Gordon Sommerville missed the start of his radio show because he was busy with a hairdryer – reviving his pet tarantula Harry. Daily Mirror – Thursday 03 March 1988
Former Bunny girl Serena Williams phoned a Torquay radio station to check the weather and was offered a job Daily Mirror – Monday 18 January 1982
Shy teenager Andrew Young didn’t have the nerve to propose to his sweetheart. Daily Mirror – Monday 05 January 1981
Broadcaster Wendy Buckingham blushed as she read the local radio news yesterday – for she was dressed only in a nightie and slippers. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Wednesday 10 December 1986
A radio station shocked thousands of listeners yesterday by announcing that one of its top DJs, Glenn Richards, had undergone a sex change. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Saturday 01 October 1988
Disc jockey Ian Waugh played Cupid when a lovelorn teenager telephoned his programme. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Monday 05 January 1981
The IBA has offered the sixth new contract for an ILR station, leaving only three more to be agreed. The Stage – Thursday 19 July 1979
DevonAir Radio, one of the Independent Local Radio stations owned by the GWR Group and Capital Radio, has lost its licence to a rival consortium. The Stage – Thursday 18 November 1993
BBC Local Radio stations looks as if they are set to follow in the wake of the independents, who have recently been troubled by strije action and disputes. The Stage – Thursday 16 April 1987
The deep economic recession this week forced two Independent Local Radio stations in the South West of England to merge. The Stage – Thursday 04 July 1991
Despite having a less than illustrious launch – with some programmes being broadcast from a caravan – BBC Radio Devon has established itself as a thriving station. The Stage – Thursday 02 July 1987
What do they wear behind those desks? Liverpool Echo – Friday 12 December 1986
Listeners rely on disc jockey Bob Kingsley to make them wide awake in the morning. Daily Mirror – Tuesday 24 February 1981
Consortium – For instance, two of the groups who would like the Exeter/Torbay franchise, Radio Exe and Torbay, and Exeter Broadcasting Company, are joining forces to make one consortium which is now operating as as Radio Haldon.
It’s a final air wave Axed radio boss hits out at ‘quango’ decision. THERE will be no sad farewells when the plug is finally pulled on commercial radio station DevonAir today. Instead, the team intends to go out on a high note celebrating the 14 years of the station. Its […]
The station’s Christmas card says it. Instead of the usual bright sun shining in the middle of their logo, they have a sinking sun setting behind the hills with Father Christmas waving goodbye.
DevonAir staff are stunned as station loses licence A brief four paragraph statement from the Radio Authority at 8.15am yesterday left DevonAir’s dreams in ruins.
The battlelines for some of Devon’s airwaves were drawn up yesterday as competing companies submitted their applications for two independent radio franchises.
Three South West radio stations are bidding to replace DevonAir in Exeter and Torbay.
An all Devon-based radio station has joined the competition to take over the county’s independent air waves.
The battle for Devon’s airwaves opens today.
One of the contenders for the Devon and Torbay independent radio franchise pledged yesterday to offer jobs to some DevonAir staff.
The first challenge to the broadcasting franchise now held by DevonAir Radio, the independent local radio station which serves Exeter and Torbay, will come from a local consortium.
Two South West radio stations have merged in a deal which bosses say will boost audiences and advertising revenue for both outfits.
The new programme controller at DevonAir Radio secured the position after being head-hunted during a conference in Spain.
Housewife helps present radio programme A Devon housewife had the surprise of a lifetime when she was given the chance to co-present a local radio programme.
DevonAir boss David Cousins, who is to resign as managing director, will be leaving the company at the beginning of April.
One of the Westcountry’s top radio stations has been forced to axe two members of staff as the deteriorating economy begins to bite.
Sir Ian Amory, who has been at the helm of DevonAir Radio for the past eight years, is stepping down as chairman. He is remaining of the board of the radio station.
DevonAir Radio has been selected as a finalist for an award at the International Radio Festival of New York, the radio industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Euronews, the European news agency formed by Exeter-based DevonAir Radio, is to open its Brussels Office on Jan 3.
Britain’s biggest and most successful independent radio station is to take over hard-up DevonAir, it was announced yesterday.
Special meeting for shareholders Exeter-based independent local radio company DevonAir is retrenching financially to meet losses suffered during the past two years,
A Devon independent local radio station is planning cuts to beat the effects of the recession.
Directors of the Exeter and Torquay-based independent local radio station, DevonAir, have put their chairman, Mr Norman Devonport, under pressure to resign.
DevonAir, the Exeter and Torquay – based Westcountry independent local radio station, may be in for more changes at the top.
A boardroom reshuffle is being planned at Devon’s independent local radio station, the Exeter-based DevonAir.
If you are tuned to Exeter’s DevonAir at 6 am tomorrow morning, you will hear Bob Kingsley open the day’s broadcasting with ‘Here Comes The Sun’.
Everyone having a late breakfast in Torbay with Travis Baxter yesterday, was taking part in a little bit of radio history.
The Mayor of Torbay, Mr Len Blogg, pictured at DevonAir’s new Torquay harbourside studios which open today.
DevonAir chairman Norman Devonport and managing director Maurice Vass look out over Torquay harbour. But to them the fourth floor Harbour Point balcony offers more than a view.
In tune at Devonair yesterday were the former Bishop of Crediton the Rt. Rev. Wilfred Westall and TV personality Keith Fordyce, seen outside the Exeter studios. Devons new independent local radio station came to life at exactly 6 am yesterday. Early birfs throughout the wide area of the county were […]
Community leaders from Devon were guests at an Exeter lunch to mark the opening of the new independent local radio station DevonAir.
In the hush of an Exeter broadcasting studio at precisely 65 secons before 6 am tomorrow, Bob Kingsley will push a button and make radio history.
Right in the heart of Exeter is a tiny box room which cost £50,000. Once inside, you are as close being suspended in mid-air as an ordinary mortal is ever likely to be – because this odd room has hardly any contact with the outside world.
The Westcountry’s new independent radio station, DevonAir will provide a unique community service when it begins broadcasting next month. Programme Controller Mr Jeff Winston said this yesterday when disclosing plans for the station at a special conference at Dartington Hall.
A new DJ taking to the air? No, Exeter’s MP, Mr John Hammam, in the presenter’s seat when he visited the studios of Devonair, the new commercial radio station in Exeter. With him are Mr Maurice Vass, left, managing director, and Mr Nick Johnson. The station plans to start broadcasting […]
A former “World in Action” man is to be the programme controller of Devon’s new independent local radio station, Devonair. He is Jeff Winston, at present programme comtroller of Pennine Radio in West Yorkshire.
DevonAir Radio, the new commercial local radio service for Exeter and Torbay, will be on air later this year. Mr Norman Devonport, the chairman of the consortium that was awarded the franchise by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, said on Tuesday that the Exeter studios were several months ahead of schedule.
Devon men are to fill the top two executive posts at Devon’s new independent radio station, Devonair. They are Mr Maurice Vass, 45, and Mr Nick Johnson, 32, and both have started their new jobs in Exeter this week.
The man who was to have been the first managing director of Devon’s new independent local radio station, DevonAir, will now not be taking up the job. Mr Colin Mason, 36, of Bristol, right, and DevonAir Radio Limited, announced jointly today that they had not been able to complete their […]
A £350,000 contract for broadcasting equipment for Devonair Radio studios in Exeter and at Torquay was signed in Exeter yesterdat by the Chairman, Mr Norman Devonport (second from left).
This will soon be the nerve centre of the newest radio station in this part of the world. The actual date for the start of broadcasts from this unassuming property in St Davids Hill, Exeter, is still up in the air, but work has started in making it into a […]
An exciting future is opening up for these houses (above) at St Davids Hill, Exeter. After starting life as private homes, they were converted into Government offices. Now they are to become the headquarters and Exeter studios for Devon’s new independent local radio station, Devonair.
Independent local radio for the Exeter area came a stage nearer today with the news that a managing director has been appointed. He is 36-year-old Mr Colin Mason, of Bristol, and he takes over in Exeter next month.
Wull, m’dears, yer be the latest nooz ’bout thicky local wireless stashun Exeter be gwain to ‘ave vor itzelf any year now. An’ if you be thinkin’ this be a passel of ol’ crams, readon m’dears, read on. For one of the aims of the new station, to be called […]
DevonAir, the proposed independent local radio station for Mid and East Devon expects to be broadcasting by 1981, possibly earlier. Mr. Norman Devonport, its chairman, said at a press conference in Exeter yesterday that the station, to be run by Radio Haldon Limiter, would cost about £750,000 to start, but […]
Devon’s new independent local radio station – Devon Air – will make history as the first of its kind in the world. It will be the first to run a “twin” operation – with a service for the Exeter area on one side and the Torbay on the other.
Devon’s new independent local radio station, Devon Air, hopes to be broadcasting to its potential audience of 450,000 listeners by 1981 and possibly earlier. So said its chairman, Mr Norman Devonport, at an Exeter Press Conference today.
Devon’s new independent local radio station will be run by Radio Haldon. That is the announcement expected early next week from the Independent Broadcasting Authority following a series of interviews in Devon and in London. The IBA has had to choose between three groups which had applied for the franchise, […]
Exeter is to become the focal point of a Devon local radio war with two rival stations competing to win listeners. For the BBC has decided to base and you would local radio service for Devon in the city and it is bound to seek to win viewers away from […]
Devon’s new independent local radio station, DevonAir, is expecting to be a broadcasting in about a year from now. Good progress is being made with plans to put the station or on the air, its Secretary, Mr. Hamish Turner, said yesterday. The station will serve the Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Tiverton, […]
The applications are invited for the local radio programme contract for the Exeter and Torbay area under the terms of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Acts 1973 and 1978. The document containing particulars, including the coverage maps, and details of the information required from applicants may be obtained on written request […]
Recession and competition hit local radio revenue DevonAir, the Exeter based independent local radio station, suffered a £150,000 loss in the year ended September 30. Sir Ian Amory, chairman, told the company’s annual meeting in Exeter but the outlook for this year was optimistic, and the advertising turnover was on […]
Exeter based DevonAir is to launch a new service for east Devon and west Dorset. The commercial station will broadcast under the name of South West One and is planning to be on the air this summer. David Cousins, managing director of DevonAir, said yesterday that the Home Office had […]
“Raising the school leaving age to 90”, a programme produced by Exeter based DevonAir radio, has been chosen as Britain’s entry in a prestigious international competition for educational programmes. The eight week series of programmes, devised by disc jockey Tim Arnold, will be entered in the Japan awards competition in […]
The decision on who will rule the independent radio air waves in Devon will be announced tomorrow. The radio authority will reveal who will have the franchise for the Exeter Torbay radio licence for the next eight years early tomorrow afternoon. The battle for the air waves will be one […]
DevonAir, one of Devon’s independent local radio stations, has come top of the pops among listeners in its transmission area. Independent research shows weekly listening figures for the station rose by 10 per cent last year 257,000 to overtake the audience of the BBC’s national Radio One. Radio one’s audience […]
By Nick Cecil Stunned at DevonAir bosses were considering applying for a judicial review yesterday after losing the Exeter and Torbay radio franchise in a decision they believe will send shock waves throughout the industry. Station chiefs, employees and listeners were devastated by the announcement that the West Country based […]
Devonair Radio, the new commercial local radio service for Exeter and Torbay, will be on the air later this year. Mr. Norman Devonport, the chairman of the consortium that was awarded the franchise by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, said on Tuesday that the Exeter studios were several months ahead of […]
Devon’s new independent local radio station – DevonAir – will make history as the first of its kind in the world. It will be the first to run a “twin” operation –with the service for the Exeter area on one side and the Torbay area on the other. As far […]
“DevonAir, the Exeter based radio station, has been hit by a major dispute between the staff and the directors. Senior staff members are threatening to resign unless there is a boardroom reshuffle. Already the programme controller, Jeff Winston, has quit. Mr. Winston, who joined DevonAir two years ago when it […]
By Nicholas Cecil The battle lines for some of Devon’s the air waves were drawn up yesterday as competing companies submitted their applications for two independent radio franchises. For companies have applied for the licences covering the Exeter and Torbay areas, which are expected to be allocated in the next […]
Two Devonians have been named as the first of about 30 people with full-time jobs at DevonAir – the commercial radio station for Exeter and Torbay which is expected to start a broadcasting later this year. The first is 45 year old Mr. Maurice Vass, who grew up in Buckland […]
DevonAir meet Dartington A group from DevonAir, the new commercial radio station which starts broadcasting in the Exeter and Torbay areas in November, is visiting Dartington Hall next week as part of a series of meetings with people and organisations in the area aimed at gearing their services to the […]
The race to broadcast independent radio in south Devon into the next century started today. Licences to broadcast on both FM and AM wave bands –currently held by DevonAir –up being advertised from today by The Radio Authority. The new licence, which covers Exeter and Torbay, starts in 1995 and […]
Torbay’s radio studio –for the DevonAir radio station which expects to be on the air next year –is likely to be on Torquay harbourside. Torbay planning committee has approved a scheme to have the studio on the fourth floor of St. James Chambers in Victoria Parade. The plans were passed […]