Silk Radio
 | |
| |
Broadcast area | East Cheshire |
|---|---|
| Frequencies | FM: 106.9 MHz DAB: 7D (Crewe and Nantwich), 9A (Congleton and Leek) |
| RDS | SILK1069 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Dee Radio Group |
| Chester's Dee Radio | |
| History | |
First air date | 26 May 1998 |
Former names | Silk FM Cheshire's Silk 106.9 |
| Technical information | |
Transmitter coordinates | 53°12′22″N 2°06′03″W / 53.2061°N 2.1007°W |
| Links | |
| Website | silk1069.com |
Cheshire's Silk Radio is an Independent Local Radio station serving Macclesfield and parts of East Cheshire. It is owned and operated by Dee Radio Group, which also operates neighbouring station Chester's Dee Radio.[1]
The station broadcasts a mix of current and classic hits alongside local news and sport.
As of March 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 7,000, according to RAJAR.[2]
History
[edit]Silk FM launched on 25 May 1998, with special guest Sammy McIlroy, then manager of Macclesfield Town. Past presenters have included Nick Wright, Jeff Cooper, Guy Morris, Paul Allen and Trevor Thomas.
The station was previously owned by The Local Radio Company before being sold to the owners of Dee 106.3 in June 2009. In January 2017, the station moved into a new studio complex at Adelaide House, Adelaide Street, Macclesfield.
In November 2012, the station was granted a significant transmitter power increase, partly to combat co-channel interference from the Heart North and Mid Wales transmitter at the Moel-y-Parc transmitting station, which also broadcasts on 106.9 MHz FM. The transmitter site at Sutton Common BT Tower offers line-of-sight coverage across the Cheshire Plain, allowing the signal to be received in parts of Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
On 25 May 2023, the station celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching on DAB on the South Cheshire multiplex, with the transmitter located on the roof of South Cheshire College.[3]
Community
[edit]The station has awarded the title School of the Week to schools within its broadcast area.[4]
The station has also presented its Local Hero Awards since its early years.[5]
The annual Cheshire Show is one of the station's major outside events, with Silk providing coverage from the show.
Awards
[edit]In 2008, after being shortlisted for the award the previous year, Silk won Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000) at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.[6] It was shortlisted again for the 2009 award.[7]
In 2006, 2007[8] and 2008, Silk was named Radio Academy North West Station of the Year.
Programming
[edit]Some of Silk Radio's programming is produced and broadcast from its Macclesfield studios. Live programming airs from 6am to 7pm on weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 8am to 8pm on Sundays. Other output is automated or networked from the Riverside Innovation Centre in Chester, the studios of Chester's Dee Radio.[9]
Silk Radio broadcasts hourly local and national news bulletins from Radio News Hub.[9]
The station airs weekly sports programming, including Saturday afternoon coverage of Macclesfield F.C. and Congleton Town.[9]
Presenters
[edit]The station's presenters include:
- Andy Clewes – weekday breakfast
- Daz Antrobus – afternoon show
- Mike Peters – Saturday daytime
- Jade Worsley – Saturday breakfast
- Dave Phillips – Sunday brunch
- Neil Davis – Silk Sport
References
[edit]- ↑ "Silk FM sold to Dee 106.3". Radio Today. 11 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
- ↑ "Quarterly Listening". RAJAR. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ Collins, Steve (25 May 2023). "Cheshire's Silk Radio celebrates 25 years on-air with DAB launch". Radio Today. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ↑ "Pupils raise voices – and cash". Crewe Chronicle. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ↑ "Public File". Silk FM. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ↑ "Fruitful night for North West stations at Sony's". how-do.co.uk. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ↑ "Silk FM gets another award". how-do.co.uk. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ↑ "Nations & Regions Awards 2007". The Radio Academy. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- 1 2 3 "Public file". Silk Radio. Retrieved 10 August 2026.