Radio
BRMB brand relaunches
Birmingham station BRMB is back on air, broadcasting on FM, online and DAB.
The station was one of the original Independent Local Radio stations launched in the era of the Independent Broadcasting Authority who oversaw both ITV and ILR services. Nearly 50 years on from that original launch earlier today the service resumed a decade after being consigned to the broadcasting bin.
Programme Controller Paul Ellery, speaking to RadioToday, noted that the new era of BRMB ‘will be Birmingham’s ‘go to’ local station again with local news and music for the whole of the city.’ He added that ‘the team have been planning this for most of the year and we’re all really excited about the relaunch.’
Some of the original names behind BRMB have helped bring the service back to the airwaves including Les Ross MBE who relaunched the station this morning, Monday 4th September, at 11:52am alongside West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
BRMB takes over the FM frequency and DAB output of Big City Radio which continues as a online service. The team behind the revived brand have had previous success in relaunching another old ILR era brand Wyvern in Worcester.
Station owner, Muff Murfin told RadioToday:
“It’s a dream to bring back the iconic name BRMB to Birmingham. I’m sure it will be as successful as Wyvern has been in Worcester.”
Paul Ellery, Programme Director at Wyvern in Worcester, is also overseeing the BRMB station format. BRMB launched on February 19th 1974 but was replaced by Free Radio on March 26th 2012. The all-new BRMB broadcasts on 89.1 FM and DAB on the north and south DAB local multiplexes.
If you’re outside the region you can listen online here.
Back in 1975…
The ILR service was noted in the IBA’s annual guide book noted as having 64 staff and transmitted from ‘Radio House’ in Aston which had up until 1969 been the Alpha Studios of ATV Network and ABC Midlands Television.
‘By broadcasting a service of music, news and information, with a style that can be quickly identified with the area, the company has captured an ever growing audience’ noted the IBA, adding ‘The company’s news service on the hour has already achieved a number of firsts and is largely due to the lively team of journalists employed in one of the most modern newsrooms in Independent Local Radio.’
Programmes at the time ranged from pop music showcases to phone-ins, a political show, sports programmes and a religious segment.
Independent Local Radio, the original stations in the mid-1970s
