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 the independent local radio station, DevonAir, which is due to start a broadcasting from Exeter and Torquay towards the end of this year.
The BBC said today that it has now started a search for suitable premises in Exeter.
The station will be known as a BBC Radio Devon. Along with a proposed new BBC Radio Cornwall at Truro; it will take over the present regional radio service, including Morning Sou’ West programmes now based in Plymouth.
The BBC and said that it planned to have BBC Radio Devon on the air before the end of 1982.
DevonAir whose adaptation of buildings at St. Davids Hill is now nearing completion, has already appointed some senior staff and is in the process of making other appointments. It is ahead of schedule with its plans start broadcasting before the end of the year.
DevonAir will have a twin station at Torquay to serve the Torbay area.
Its chairman, Mr. Norman Devonport, was to discuss the BBC announcement at a meeting with top executives today.
DevonAir will serve Exeter, and an area including Exmouth, Sidmouth, Honiton, Crediton and Tiverton.
The BBC station will cover all Devon.
Mr. Michael Barton, the BBC’s local radio controller, said; “we are switching the HQ of a Devon station from Plymouth to Exeter because Exeter is the county seat, a university city, and has strong links with north coast.”
