Local Radio station in York and Selby, England
YO1 Radio is a community radio station[3] based in York, England.[1] It broadcasts local news, weather, travel and information alongside music from the 1980s to the present day. It broadcasts to the city of York on 102.8 FM, in Selby on 90.0 FM with transmissions in the surrounding parts of North Yorkshire on DAB+. It takes its name from a district of the YO postcode area covering central York.
History
YO1 Radio launched online on 12 September 2017.[4][5]
In February 2018, Ofcom awarded YO1 Radio a community licence[6] and the station launched on 102.8 FM at midday on 27 August 2018.[7]
In 2021 YO1 Radio opened its ‘Live Lounge’, a city centre studio on Goodramgate in York. The Live Lounge is used to broadcast some live programmes and interviews as an alternative to the station's main studios at James Street.[8] It also is used to record local music artists[9] and celebrity interviews.
On 5 September 2022, YO1 Radio announced a new collaboration with local newspaper The York Press. The partnership has been formed to bring listeners the latest local news from its editorial team.[10]
In September 2021, YO1 Radio formed a partnership with York City Football Club to become the club's official radio partner.[11] In November 2021, a deal was agreed with York City Knights RLFC for YO1 Radio to feature on the team shirts for the 2022 season.[12]
On 27 October 2022, York Barbican and YO1 Radio launched a media partnership.[13][14] The partnership saw YO1 Radio making announcements of artists appearing at York Barbican, as well as providing exclusive interviews and associated competitions.
In July 2023, YO1 Radio has moved into a brand-new purpose-built studio complex, located at James Street, York.
The new venue includes four studios – a main on-air studio and three smaller production studios – plus offices, conference, and training facilities.
The station will maintain its existing ‘Live Lounge Studio’ on Goodramgate, which will be further developed and networked with the new studios.[15]
Programming
YO1 Radio's weekday breakfast programme, Griffo in the Morning, is presented by former Minster FM presenter Paul Griffiths from 6 am.[16]
Meanwhile, YO1 Radio's Content Controller and former Minster FM and BBC Radio York presenter Chris Marsden, hosts the new drive show ‘Chris Marsden’s Home Run’ from 4 pm.
In February 2023, local singer, actor, producer and dancer Claire Pulpher joined the station to present the weekday mid-morning programme.[17] Claire Pulpher's programme has now moved to a lunchtime slot, making room for the addition of former BBC Radio York presenter Jonathan Cowap to the schedule.[18]
Former BBC Radio York presenter, Jonathan Cowap, has joined YO1 Radio, to present a new daily show, weekday mornings from 10am. Jonathan was a regular and much-loved voice at the BBC for 38 years, including 34 years on-air in York.[19]
Critical reception
In February 2023, The Guardian columnist Emma Beddington described YO1 Radio as: "The only acceptable compromise we've found [...], a local station playing 80s and 90s bangers with mercifully little talking, but [...] still a poor cousin to silence".[20]
Transmission
The station transmits on 102.8 FM from a transmitter site at York Hospital.[21] Since July 2021, YO1 Radio has also been available on the MuxCo North Yorkshire DAB digital radio multiplex. Since 2018, YO1 Radio has also broadcast on 90.0 FM in Selby from Selby Abbey.
On 18 October 2022, York Digital Radio CIC, a non-profit company operated by YO1 Radio, was awarded a small-scale DAB radio licence[22] which aims to cover almost all of the City of York and surrounding areas.[23][24]
In March 2023 YO1 Radio applied to Ofcom for permission to further extend its FM coverage with the addition of a transmitter to serve the Thirsk area.[25]
