by JO BISHOP
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 Chief executive Paul Angus said yesterday: “I am sure there will be a few quivering lips, but we will be drinking champagne in celebration of our achievements. We will be running normal programming until mid-day and then doing a one-hour retrospective of some of the things that have gone before. We have chosen all the music, including the final record, and Paul Saunders who will be hosting the programme will be joined by other members of the team. We did not want any danger of the day slipping into a wake and we will finish at 1pm on a high, then run a taped output for the last 11 hours.”
Despite commercial and listener figure success, DevonAir lost its broadcasting franchise to Gemini Radio last year under decision of the Radio Authority. Mr Angus, chief executive for the Guinness Partnership, who is for three years chief executive for the partnership, said some communities where it is vital, and to fund Ring and Ride schemes across the country for disabled and elderly people, listeners have had their choice taken away by an un-elected, un-accountable Quango in London. “A lot of people have asked how this could happen and everywhere our staff have gone in the last 12 months people have said the decision was wrong and their love for DevonAir was wrong, and they love DevonAir.”
During the last week phone-ins have centred around audience memories of DevonAir DJ some of the 180,000 regular weekly listeners, some of the most listened to in the country. In the last month the station has given away 21 holidays in Spain as a thank-you to listeners and some communities where it is vital, and to fund Ring and Ride schemes across the country for disabled and elderly people. “There has been a determined policy to keep going and it is a tribute to the tremendous professionalism of the staff here to the end.”
One thing that has made the station the most listened to in the country is that we have managed to secure jobs for quite a lot of the staff,” said Mr Angus. “Sixteen are joining Gemini Radio and some are going to Plymouth Sound.” The Exeter studios in St David’s Hill have been sold along with much of the equipment, filing cabinets and cabinets cleared. Filing cabinets cleared. The new Devon Wildlife Trust owners are set to move in to the building in mid-January. “Gemini Radio have their new base at Hawthorn House, Exeter Business Park, from where they will begin broadcasting on the stroke of midnight tonight.” Managing director David Rod-tors has offered a prize of £1,000 to be shared among anyone who correctly guessed the title of the first record to be played. The station will offer both AM and FM programme services aimed at different audiences. “Gemini Radio have their new base at Hawthorn House, Exeter Business Park, from where they will begin broadcasting on the stroke of midnight tonight.” “Managing director David Rod-tors has offered a prize of £1,000 to be shared among anyone who correctly guessed the title of the first record to be played.” “The station will offer both AM and FM programme services aimed at different audiences.”
The station will offer both AM and FM programme services aimed at different audiences. Gemini Radio will begin broadcasting at the stroke of midnight tonight.
Gemini Radio have their new base at Hawthorn House, Exeter Business Park, from where they will begin broadcasting on the stroke of midnight tonight. Managing director David Rodgers has offered a prize of £1,000 to be shared among anyone who correctly guessed the title of the first record to be played. The station will offer both AM and FM programme services aimed at different audiences.
