Rugby 1FM.

 

After Music One had completed its trial broadcast in early 2000 the Radio Authority (now Ofcom) announced formally their intention to make available a full time broadcasting license which would cover the town of Rugby in Warwickshire, along with some of its immediate villages.

 

The Music One team were in the process of setting up another stint of Music One, but with the announcement from the Radio Authority came news that further trial radio broadcasts would not be permitted until a full time license had been awarded.

As this news was filtering through the Music One team was contacted by "On-Air Ltd" a specialist company working alongside the Wireless Group who own Talk Sport and a number of UK commercial radio stations.  A proposal was made that would see Music One team up with the Wireless Group and the Rugby Observer newspaper (the Rugby Advertiser having declared no interest in being involved in a full time broadcast enterprise).  Rugby 1FM would combine the local aspects of Music One alongside proven radio expetise and the backing of a local newspaper.

The Rugby 1FM Group consisted of (amongst others) Keith Greenwood "Music One", Bob Warman "Central News", Ish Mistry "Rugby Indian Association", Pat Bullivant "Rugby Observer" and Jason Bryant "Wireless Group".

 

The aim of Rugby 1FM was to offer Rugby a radio station with localised output, using part resources supplied throught the Wireless Group network to allow the station to be a standalone broadcaster providing local news, infomation and most of all be presented on the whole by local talent.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rugby 1FM team hosted a number of local roadshows for the public to come along and show their support, we opened an office in Regent Street and we had coverage in the Rugby Observer Newspaper.

 

 

In the Autumn of 2000 the Radio Authority awarded the full time broadcasting license to a rival company who already had a small local commercial station to the north of Rugby.  The Rugby 1FM group was ended shortly after.