It broadcasts on FM, AM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios in the Blackbrook area of Taunton.
According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 55,000 listeners and a 7.2% share as of December 2023.[1]
History
The first BBC service for the county of Somerset was established in 1978, as an emergency measure following storms in the county.[2]
BBC Somerset Sound (1988–2007)
The station proper was launched as BBC Somerset Sound on 11 April 1988, broadcasting on BBC Radio Bristol's former frequency of 1323 medium wave. It was based in studios above a café on Paul St, Taunton, run by producer-in-charge, Clinton Rogers and news
producer Anne Ashworth, with a smaller satellite studio in Yeovil run by district producer, Steve Haigh. The signal on 1323 MW was for many years interfered with by a radio station in Russia.[3]
In August 2002, BBC Somerset Sound moved to new premises in Park Street, Taunton, and acquired a more robust frequency of 1566 MW.
BBC Somerset (2007–2020)
In 2007, the station relaunched as BBC Somerset, with the launch of the BBC Somerset bus in May. On 3 December of that year, the station was given BBC Radio Bristol's former frequency of 95.5 FM, and broadcasts to the whole county of Somerset (including the unitary districts of North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset) and beyond. Listeners from as far afield as Finland have reported hearing the station clearly. BBC Somerset sometimes uses its AM frequency for cricket commentary while regular programming continues on FM. BBC Somerset began broadcasting on DAB in September 2014.
BBC Somerset was for many years an 'opt-out' from BBC Radio Bristol, but in May 2012, the BBC established it as a station in its own right. The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006 stated:[4] "The BBC is committed to extending its network of local radio stations to a limited number of under served areas, and BBC management is carrying out preparatory work for new stations in Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire".
On 6 October 2011, the BBC announced that it intended to close BBC Somerset's 1566 MW frequency as part of its Delivering Quality First (DQF)[5] program of cutbacks. No decision on the timing of the medium wave switch-off has yet been made.
In November 2017, BBC Somerset moved from the Park Street premises to a new building on the edge of Taunton in Blackbrook.
The current editor of BBC Radio Somerset is Gareth Roberts, with Andrew Enever as news editor.
BBC Radio Somerset (2020–present)
On 27 April 2020, the station changed its name to BBC Radio Somerset in order to fit the station name into the new jingle package.
In September 2023, the station joined again with BBC Radio Bristol sharing some programmes.
Programming
Local weekday programmes are produced and broadcast from the BBC's Taunton studios from 6am to 2pm. The weekday afternoon programme is shared with BBC Radio Bristol. Evening weekday programmes are shared across the BBC West region. The 10pm to 1am Late Show is a national programme from either London or Manchester.[6]
6am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday programmes are broadcast across the BBC West region. Saturday sport (2pm to 6pm) is a shared programme with BBC Radio Bristol with the option to broadcast local commentaries. Saturday evenings are region wide shared programmes,
Sunday afternoons are shared with BBC Radio Bristol. After 6pm all programmes are national.
Overnight, BBC Radio Somerset simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live between 1am and 6am.
BBC Somerset got a new mobile radio studio in the shape of a single-decker bus in May 2007. The role of the BBC Somerset bus across the county includes:
To bring BBC Somerset out into local communities across the county
To help to improve what people in county want from their local radio station, and from the BBC in general
To promote the major BBC campaigns, such as the Reading and Writing project (RaW), Springwatch and Autumnwatch among many others
To feedback to the BBC any brickbats and bouquets – from listeners / viewers who might not usually have the chance to comment
To broadcast live shows from towns and villages around Somerset
Programming for the bus, as well as the day-to-day operation and technical support was managed by Paul George.
In 2016, the bus became victim to cutbacks, and is no longer used by the station.
In 2007, BBC Somerset took part in an initiative to create the first carbon-zero radio station in the UK known as The Challenge.[7]
Carbon auditors CO2balance analysed every aspect of the operation – from the mileage of the transport fleet down to what happens to the office tea bags.[8]
At the time of the audit, the station generated more than 64 tonnes of CO2 each year. On hearing the results the staff voluntarily dipped into their pockets to fund the three main accredited methods of carbon offsetting – tree planting, sustainable projects and carbon trading. On average the cost to each member of staff was between £25 and £50, depending on their salary. Staff also looked at all areas where pollution is generated to reduce the station's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly. These included:
The fleet of cars for reporters were swapped for fuel-efficient vans.
Lighting systems were replaced with more energy-efficient ones.
Loft insulation was improved and double glazing was considered.
The electricity and paper supplies were checked to make sure they are eco-friendly.
