Heart Oxfordshire
Global Radio | |
History | |
---|---|
First air date | (as Fox FM) 15 September 1989 |
Links | |
Website | http://www.heart.co.uk/thamesvalley |
Heart Oxfordshire (formerly Fox FM) was an
Originally launched in September 1989, it was rebranded on 23 March 2009 by
History
Fox FM was launched on Friday 15 September 1989 from an ex-carpet warehouse in Cowley, Oxford.
In 2005, Fox FM became part of the
Notable former presenters
This article's list of people may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (March 2015) |
- Steve Priestley (now at Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire)
- Adrian Maughan
- Ali Jones
- Debbie Ryan
- Adam Ball
- Steve Penk (now at Happy Radio UK)
- Simon Ross now at Greatest Hits Radio
- Dan Mills
- James Heming
- Jo Thoenes
- Katy Hill
- Stephanie Hirst (now at Hits Radio)
Network restructuring
On 21 June 2010, Global Radio announced plans to close Heart Oxfordshire and merge the station with Heart Berkshire as part of plans to reduce the Heart network of stations from 33 to 15.[5] The new station, Heart Thames Valley began broadcasting from Reading on 9 July 2010.[6]
Identity
Like other stations in "The One Network", Fox FM used similar idents - ending with the tagline "More Music Variety" which was later continued by Heart. The additional tagline of "Haven't you heard?" was used on the website and advertising but not spoken on air.
Despite being part of GCap since 2005, it retained the logo devised by Capital until September 2007, although its logo after that date was more in keeping with other One Network stations. Originally, its logo was a cartoon fox called "Freddy" whose nose and tail were poking out onto a radio dial which became highly recognisable in the Oxford area as it was distributed widely on car window stickers.
Local Heroes
Fox FM rewarded notable people from the local area in their annual 'Local Heroes' awards. In 2003, four winners received accolades - including Young Person, Local Hero and Special Award. Andrew Baker, a fundraiser for John Radcliffe Oxford Children's Hospital in 2003 together with young singing star Zoe Mace in 2004. Fundraiser Jeff Samways and sea cadet volunteer Phil Pether were also amongst those honoured.
Charity
Over its last ten years of broadcasting, Fox FM raised thousands of pounds each year for their chosen charities in their "Help An Oxfordshire Child" campaign. In 2008, over £48,000 raised by its listeners, staff and partners was distributed out to many children's charities. In the past, Oxford Children's Hospital, The Oxfordshire Playbus and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have benefited. Events held towards the campaign included the very first Oxford Santa Run, raising over £30,000, the Oxford Moonlight Stroll, an online auction and a charity football tournament held in Abingdon, as well as a celebrity football match at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium in which a team of Fox presenters took on the stars from teen soap Hollyoaks in June 2008, as well as a greyhound race night, buggy trek and a charity premiere.
Help An Oxfordshire Child pledged £40,000 to name the Fox FM Outpatients Department in Oxford's New Children's Hospital, which was completed in 2008.[7]
References
- ^ Heart slims but strengthens Archived 26 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine, RadioToday, 21 June 2010
- ^ Fox FM to get new name, Oxford Mail 17 September 2008
- ^ [1]
- ^ Axe to fall on local radio names, BBC News Online, 16 September 2008
- ^ Global Radio to halve number of local Heart stations, mediaguardian.co.uk, 21 June 2010
- ^ Heart slims but strengthens Archived 26 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine, RadioToday, 21 June 2010
- ^ Charity races at Oxford Greyhound Stadium to collect cash[permanent dead link], Ward Lovett Press Office, 15 August 2008