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New
BBC Local Radio station for Coventry & Warwickshire
The
BBC is to launch a new Local Radio station for Coventry and Warwickshire.
Speaking
on BBC WM's Breakfast Show (across Coventry and Warwickshire) earlier
today (8 July) Greg Dyke, Director-General of the BBC, announced
that the station is to be added to BBC Local Radio's portfolio of
services.
Talking
to presenter Annie Othen, Greg Dyke said: "I'm very pleased
to announce that we're planning to open a new radio station in Coventry
- an area that's been served by BBC WM since 1995.
"We
hope the new station will be housed in a modern, vibrant building
close to Coventry Cathedral in the heart of the city.
"Alongside
the radio studios, there'll also be an open centre to provide access
to BBC Learning facilities similar to the already established centres
in Blackburn, Sheffield and Stoke.
"Open
Centres provide a valuable community role, so this is an exciting
venture for the BBC."
He
also acknowledged that the closure of BBC CWR in 1995 was a mistake:
"The decision was made under different circumstances - and
now we're in a position to change it."
David Holdsworth,
Head of Regional and Local Programmes, adds: "Coventry and
Warwickshire forms a significant part of the Midlands and the demand
for a radio station there has always been high. This announcement
is fantastic news for everyone in the area."
It is hoped
the new station will open during 2004, and the BBC intends to advertise
the post of Editor immediately.
The
area already has its own Where I Live website - bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/coventry
- which launched in April 2002.
BBC WM currently
serves Coventry and Warwickshire, including six hours of programming
every weekday from the Greyfriars Road studio.
Notes
to Editors
BBC
CWR opened in 1990 and closed in 1995.
Speech
given by BBC Director-General Greg Dyke to the The Radio Academy
- Radio Festival in Birmingham (08.07.03)
All the
BBC's digital services are now available on Freeview,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable.
Freeview
offers the BBC's eight television channels, interactive services
from BBCi, as well as 11 BBC radio networks.
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