As of December 2023, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 71,000, according to RAJAR.[1]
History
The station until 2015, consisted of two separate stations: Chelmsford Radio and Southend Radio.
Chelmer
Chelmer FM began broadcasting on 107.7 FM in 1998, under the ownership of Mid Essex Radio Ltd. The station was re-branded twice, first in 2002 by the Tindle Radio Group as Dream 107.7 (in line with Dream 100, also owned by Tindle Radio), then again in 2009 by Adventure Radio as Chelmsford Radio.
Southend Radio began broadcasting on 105.1 FM in 2008. The station was awarded its licence to broadcast in October 2005, beating three rival bids.[2] Southend Radio began broadcasting on 28 March 2008 after a month of test transmissions.
The station simulcasted all of its programmes with its sister station Chelmsford Radio and Radio Essex on DAB digital radio across Essex. Some programmes were also simulcast with other radio stations owned by the Adventure Radio Group. The output was made to 'sound' local by using jingles relevant to the platform that is being listened to.
The 'Essex Action' feature was a community service designed to help local groups and charities with much needed publicity and also with appeals for volunteers. The service was coordinated by the Southend Association of Volunteers (SAVS) with their counterparts across the county contributing items for broadcast.
Southend Radio was broadcast on 105.1 MHz from a transmitter located at the top of Maitland House in Southend High Street. The transmitter also broadcasts "Heart Essex". The signal on 105.1 could be heard right across Southend-on-Sea and most of south east Essex. The signal could also be heard as far away as Clacton, Maldon and also North Kent & Medway.
On 6 June 2013 Southend Radio and sister station Chelmsford Radio launched on DAB under the singular service Radio Essex. The original DAB only Radio Essex was broadcast on the Essex DAB mux and could be heard in many places across the county where Southend Radio couldn't, including Harlow, Colchester, and Sudbury (Suffolk).
The two radio stations began sharing programming from 2009. On 6 June 2013 the stations launched on DAB under the singular service Radio Essex. In February, 2015 it was announced that Southend Radio, along with Chelmsford Radio and Radio Essex, would be relaunched as one single station known as Radio Essex. On 23 March 2015 all three stations merged and relaunched as Radio Essex on 105.1 FM, 107.7 FM, and on DAB. From August 2017, Radio Essex flipped format from AC to a Top 40 hit music format.
Programming
All programming on Radio Essex is broadcast from its studios in The Icon Building on Southend seafront, which also at times provides programming for other stations owned by Adventure Radio.
The station broadcasts local news bulletins from 6am to 7pm on weekdays, and between 8am and midday at weekends.
The news team is currently headed up by journalist Stevie Shillinglaw, alongside breakfast news reader Dan Bichener.
Travel news is broadcast between 6am and 7pm on weekdays and provided live at key times from the Essex Traffic Control Centre at County Hall in Chelmsford. There are also travel bulletins at the weekend.
Presenters
Radio Essex has a diverse line up on the station, offering unique features throughout the day.
Its current presenter line-up includes: Martin & Su, Chris & Scott, Ross & John, Conor Knight, Jack Burke, Joe Kinch, Lauren Underwood, Mikey Faulkner, Marky T and Dave Kelly.
Some presenters also host multiple show's on the station, such as Weekend Anthems, Essex Chilled, The UK Hot 40 and Noughty Nineties.
During day to day programming there are points where the usual format is switched for a feature, such as The Ten O' Clock Takeover, Workday Anthems and Hot 7 at 7.
Technical
Radio Essex broadcasts to Southend-on-Sea on 105.1 MHz from a transmitter located at the top of Maitland House in Southend High Street.
In Chelmsford and Mid Essex, Radio Essex can be received on 107.7 MHz. This is broadcast from a mobile phone mast at Church Green in the village Danbury.
