Dedicated listeners of the South Coast radio station, Wave 105, are spearheading a campaign in a bid to stop Bauer bosses from merging Wave into Greatest Hits Radio, which comes with the loss of much-loved presenters. The ‘Save Wave 105’ campaign comes after it was announced Bauer Media plans to axe Wave 105 – without any consultation or proper explanation with the thousands of listeners across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. As previously reported by Island Echo, it is planned for Wave 105 to transform into Greatest Hits Radio at Easter. It has been pointed out by campaigners that Greatest Hits only broadcasts 1970s, 80s and 90s music and is easily accessible in the region anyway. whereas Wave has ‘the best variety of hits’ spanning numerous decades, including current artists. All but 2 of Wave’s current presenters will lose their jobs in the shake-up. In will come ex-BBC radio presenters Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo and Jackie Brambles – and this has led to uproar from Wave’s loyal listeners who tune into the station primarily for its unique programming and the presenters are local and know the patch well. Media watchdog Ofcom has been asked to step into the row and investigate whether Bauer has broken its broadcasting licence rules and conditions. A spokesperson for Save Wave 105 has said:
“We have contacted several executives at Bauer and after receiving a reply from Gary Stein, which we responded for further clarification and the offer of a meeting. “We didn’t receive a reply but escalated our concerns using alternative means and were stunned to receive an exact word for word copy of the initial reply Gary Stein sent from ‘Susan’ at Bauer”.
The group’s message is loud and clear stand up for local commercial radio in the South and elsewhere in the UK. Separately, a petition has been launched online with over 2,000 signatures to date.
A great pity, as this radio station has good local presenters who people feel they have, as they do,. a genuine love and feel for the area they broadcast too.
One expects in our WOKE world that more ethnic presenters forcing more rap onto our ears will be the order of the day, unable to pronounce words starting with the letter T, and using a D sound instead.
The ethnics have their own radio stations so leave our local stations and DJ’s for those who just tolerate uninvited guests alterations to our lives thank you.
Are you ok karen? I fear you have left off your Meds today, as seem so at odds in your posts to previous, more left wing rantings?
I must say however, I much prefer the ‘new’ you.
Let us hope it is not just another exercise to remove independent media which has its own standards to then have the more BBC type brainwashing media, employing more gays, coloureds and minorities, NOT just because they are more suitable but because of their minority status, to influence young ears and minds.
Whilst these beings have a place and can be excellent presenters, so should normal people who don’t want PC issues forced upon them 24/7 have rights too.
Wave is a case of “If it ain’t bust…”
Save Wave yes,but your comments are wrong,the world has changed and UK is far behind and can only do us harm if we go backwards. Nothing wrong with being Gay , Coloured or Ethnic. Largest criminal group in the UK,in prison, using drugs and on benefits – are lazy and selfish white Christians.
Anyhow Wave 105 has my signature.
The REASON fool that the largest criminal group is white is because, despite the gap closing from those who never leave a womb empty, often regardless as to whether it wishes to be ‘filled’ or not, is because White people in a white nation are in the greater majority.
Try looking at the stats for the number of Non whites and compare to the amount of white people living in the UK, THEN, and ONLY then will the stats show the ‘true picture. THINK if you dare. But better to trust the BBC than facts, eyes and ears eh?
I doubt that they are Christians. The word “Coloured” is also antiquated and offensive.
Looking forward to hearing Ken Bruce again. I’ve always thought Wave sounded a bit cheesy and dated.
You could just listen to Greatest Hits if you want to hear Ken Bruce.
No, the cheesy one is you. Ken Bruce is a has been. Off you go listen to bbc radio.
A great shame if it goes. I listen to local radio because the presenters live in the area, know about what is important to us, and have freedom to play the music of their choice without having to comply with a set playlist. BBC Solent used to be like this, now their playlist just repeats the same old stuff with endless Fleetwood Mac and on weekends we get a presenter with a strong Edinburgh accent.
Try Victory online, local radio based in Cosham, Portsmouth. Available on DAB+, via the website Victoryonline.co.uk. or on the app.
Doesn’t sound live
Ha. Fleetwood Mac, yes, but GHR worships ABBA too.
Actually, the idea that it is just 70s, 80s and 90s (plus some 60s…) is underlined by the fact that it is mainly classic MOR; anything alternative or out of the ordinary won’t get played if it’s likely to scare the horses.
The days of local presenters is gone. They usually weren’t paid much but now one ‘DJ’ can work from home, hundreds of miles from their listeners, playing Gerry Rafferty to dozens of former local stations now under one brand name, saving Bauer money.
Don’t bother wasting your time, it will happen. If you don’t like, it there are plenty of other stations…
Gosh. It’s Bauer doing what Bauer does – pushing their brand and making money, rebranding local stations to build their commercial national station.
Kare seems to believe “ethnics” will suddenly appear, which says more about her own views on race than either Wave or Greatest Hits. Karen also displays her views on living in Britain today, while GHR plays music from at least 24 years ago – so none of that manufactured reality show dross which would tick all her “woke” boxes (gays, coloureds, minorities, obviously not good English people like ‘us’, eh?).
Seriously, GHR is taking Radio 2 listeners (now the home for BBC contracted Z list presenters) and giving them their familiar favourites nationwide, commercially.
Bring back Radio Caroline or Luxenbourg.
They were illegal, and located on a boat in the English channel, a match made in Heaven for the rubbish drifting across the channel nowadays.
I think you’ll find that neither Radio Caroline or Radio Luxembourg were located in the English Channel, the first was in the Irish and North Sea, the latter was landlocked in Europe, so no boat needed.
caroline had two ships, you are correct about the north one but the other was off the essex coast, which was the one i could receive, in the english channel.
The Essex coast is the North Sea. The English Channel ends at Dover.
No need to bring it back, Radio Caroline is still going strong.
Why do we have to fix what isn’t broken?
Whilst we’re at it, bring back Jack FM too!
Commercial radio has always been hideous. Music for people that don’t like music. Adverts for people that want their minds corrupted. Presenters with the personal appeal of car park attendants.
Wave is a great radio station, all the presenters are a joy to listen to, have been listening to wave for the past 25 years when Steve Powers had the morning slot. Fab station.
Sad as it is to see another local radio brand disappear, I’m afraid the ‘Save Wave’ campaigners are barking up the wrong tree.
The OFCOM licence clearly states Bauer can provide just three hours of local programming each day, so long as they also do local news on the hour as well.
The new station is keeping local breakfast and afternoon shows (other GHR stations receive a breakfast show from Liverpool instead) so they are still delivering more than they have to.
And for whatever reason, the Save Wave 105 group have repeatedly chosen to ignore, time and again, what’s already written in black and white.
The owners have no case to answer. OFCOM will not step in because they’ll find Bauer have acted above board. RIP Wave 105.