Contents:
1 What is the Public File?
2 News Bulletins
3 Recent News
4 The News Team
5 The Programme Schedule
6 Automation and Local Programming
7 Events and Charities we support
8 Coverage Highlights
9 Music Playlist
10 The Format
11 Ofcom Localness Guidelines
12 Contact Us
13 How to Complain
1. What is the Public File?
Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, such as news etc. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK media regulator.
The Public File contains details of elements Ofcom regulate over, such as music tracks, local news etc. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing for the community we serve.
The Public File is available as a print out on request. Any comments on the file can be made to us or Ofcom.
2. News Bulletins
Below are details of how often we broadcast news bulletins and whether they are local, national or international news.
Monday to Friday
Local, National and World News
0630, 0700, 0730 Headlines and Sport, 0800, 0830 Headlines and Sport, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1630 Headlines and Sport, 1700, 1730 Headlines and Sport, 1800, 1830 Headlines and Sport
National and World News
0600. 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200
Saturday
Local, National and World News
0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, (1300)
National and World News
0600, 0700, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200
Sunday
Local, National and World News
0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300
National and World News
0600, 0700, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200
3. Recent News
To view some of our latest news articles, please view the local news page.
4. The News Team
If you have any queries about News, contact one of our journalists via the usual 'Contact Us' details.
5. The Programme Schedule
Monday to Friday
12am - 6am: Nightmusic,
6am - 10am: Breakfast, Simon Grundy and Marie Gardiner
10am - 3pm: Mid Morning, Mark Black
3pm - 7pm: Afternoon Drive, Pete Clough
7pm - 10pm: Evening Show Mike Nicholson
10pm - 12am: Love Songs
Saturday
12am - 6am: Nightmusic, Alex James
6am - 10am: Breakfast, Mike Nicholson
10am - 2pm: Saturday Lunchtime, Pete Clough
2pm - 6pm: Saturday Music and Sport, Mark Black
6pm - 10pm: Saturday Night Party, Marie Gardiner
10pm - 12am: Love Songs
Sunday
1am - 6am: Nightmusic, Alex James
6am - 10am: Breakfast, Mike Nicholson
10am - 2pm: Simon Grundy
2pm - 4pm: Pete Clough
4pm - 7pm: Big Tiop 40, Rich & Kat
7pm - 10pm: Sunday Evening, Marie Gardiner
10pm - 12am: Love Songs
6. Automation and Local Programming
Sometimes it is necessary to pre-record (sometimes called Automation) programmes on the station. Currently we only automate during off peak programming(avoiding day times).
All our programmes are presented from Sunderland apart from the Big Top 40 Show Sundays 4pm-7pm.
7. Events and Charities we support
We support various local charity events every year. This usually includes promoting events on the radio station, attending events and donating prizes to worthwhile causes such as raffles. Every year we dedicate a whole days broadcasting and fundraising for our ‘Bring A Pound to Work Day'. Hundreds of local businesses register their staff to 'Bring a Pound to Work' which we collect as a station in the community. So far we have raised almost £300,000. On 22nd May 2008 we raised £29,066.56 for local charities
Over the last few years, members of staff have not only raised awareness of various charity events, they have also participated in many of them. For example, the worlds largest half marathon - The Great North Run, The Race For Life, abseiling down the football stadium, sponsored head shaves, male body waxing, etc.
8. Coverage Highlights
The Pride of Wearside Awards
Together with the Sunderland Housing Group (now called GenTo), and The Sunderland Echo, we recognise people in our community who change peoples lives for the better, having had written nominations from their neighbours. There are various award categories for fund raisers, volunteers, young people, carers and family members. The awards are handed out at a big ceremony at The Stadium of Light every November.
The Sunderland International Airshow
Every year we take the radio station to the seafront for a 2-day outside broadcast from Europes largest free airshow. Over a million people assemble on the beach and surrounding areas to watch the free airshow and be entertained by their local radio station. During this weekend all local daytime programming is broadcast live from the event.
Sunderland International Friendship Festival
Each year, in Washington, this free 2-day international festival of Music, Dance and Kites is brought together by the Arts Council, Sunderland City Council, The Sunderland Echo and 103.4 Sun FM.
9. Music Playlist
To give you an idea of our music, below is an hour from March 2009.
Broken Heels - Alexandra Burke, Fill My Little World - The Feeling, Parachute - Cheryl Cole, Could you be loved - Bob Marley and the Wailers, Many of Horror - Biffy Clyro, Things can only get Better - D-Ream, I gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas, December 63 (Oh what a night) - Four Seasons, Don't Tell me it's over - Amy McDonald, You Give Me Something - James Morrison, Empire State of Mind Part II - Alicia Keys
10. The Format
The format is the regulation document Ofcom issue. You can read or download it from Ofcom at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/formats/al055-3.doc
11. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
Ofcom issue Guidelines defining what "localness" is for a Local Radio station. You can read them on the Ofcom website: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/car/localness/
12. Contact Us
To contact us, please click our contact details at the bottom of the page.
13. How to Complain
If you have any complaint about the radio station, for example, something you have heard - an advertisement or news story - in the first instance contact the station using the above details.
If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 020 7981 3040 or via their website; www.ofcom.org.uk
