Isle of Wight Radio – the Island’s favourite

Isle of Wight Radio has been on air for 22 years and is the Islands only  commercial radio station.  Managing Director, Claire Willis took some time out to answer a few questions for us on Isle of Wight Radio.

What does your station stand for?
Award winning radio that for 21 years has delivered local radio which is aimed at the heart of the Isle of Wight community.

Why is Isle of Wight Radio like no other station?
Isle of Wight Radio provides news, information and entertainment aimed at a family audience, serving the Island with detailed coverage that no other station can provide. We pride ourselves on news with locally produced bulletins across the day and at weekends, with in-depth extended news programmes each weekday. The station supports Island bands and musicians with a local music slot each weekday night and a dedicated Sunday night show. We produce award winning radio with a small but dedicated team, all of which wear many hats!

What has been the biggest challenge for Isle of Wight Radio recently?
For Isle of Wight Radio the transition from group ownership to independence was probably the biggest overall challenge for the station. Going forward it is proving to be a very positive move as we have the autonomy to develop the product to best serve the needs of our listeners and advertisers.

Can you describe your average listener?
Our listeners are very loyal and are proud to live on the Isle of Wight. Listeners have an insatiable appetite for local news and information and are willing to interact with the station and really care about the community.

What has been the biggest recent success for Isle of Wight Radio?
Isle of Wight Radio has won the Nations and Regions South Award in 2010 and the IRN News Award – Best Original Story as well as receiving a Arqiva Nomination for Station of the Year in 2011.  So 2011 was obviously a very encouraging year for revenue with both local and national performing well.  Year on Year revenue is up 19%, our best year growth for five years. New initiatives such as ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ have been successful bringing outdoor cinema to the Island for the first time over 5 nights in August, entertaining over 7,000 adults and children. In the community the station works closely with the Island Council, Police, NHS, Chamber Of Commerce and the weekly newspaper the County Press. In the last year IW Radio broadcast live from more than 50 events, a record number for the station. These included Cowes Week, the Round The Island Race where our presenters completed the challenge in one of the smallest boats in the race. We came live from Isle Of Wight Festival and Bestival, along with numerous local shows and events.

What helps content on your station standout?
We live the life of our listeners. Our sales team, presenters, journalists and staff all live on the Island and are knowledgeable and passionate about Island issues. We use this knowledge to produce programming that is relevant, engaging and unique in our TSA.

What do you think your listeners want more than anything?
In a very crowded market place our listeners want a radio station that delivers programming that is relevant to life on the Isle of Wight.

What do you want for Isle of Wight Radio in the future?
To continue to deliver quality radio that is recognised by the local audience and the industry as an exemplar of true local radio.

What three words best describe Isle of Wight Radio?
Local, innovative and engaging!