107.8 Arrow FM

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107.8 Arrow FM

Broadcast area	Hastings & Bexhill
Slogan	Radio for 1066 Country
Frequency	107.8 MHz
First air date	10 April 1998
Format	Popular Music
Audience share	7.4% (September 2007, [1])
Power	Not enough!
ERP	100w
Class	omni polarisation
Owner	Local Radio Company
Website	www.arrowfm.co.uk

107.8 Arrow FM is the first licensed radio station in Hastings, England.

[edit] History

The history of the station dates back to 1992 when two local radio entrepreneurs, Mark Briggs and Matthew Wheeler, conducted several highly successful pilot broadcasts using Restricted Service Licences.

The group disbanded a year before the Radio Authority advertised a licence for one or more services in East Sussex, leaving well respected local businessman Bill Uttley-Moore CBE to assemble a consortium of local investors and existing radio operators.

[edit] Permanent licence

His company, Conqueor Broadcasting Ltd, was awarded the licence for Hastings in the summer of 1997. Founder Mark Briggs joined as Managing Director and successfully launched the station on Good Friday, August 10th 1998.

The station was programmed by Peter Quinn. Other presenters from the launch days included Ambrose Harcourt, Rob Wilson, Terry James, Kevin Dyball (known then on Arrow FM as Kevin Marshall), Rob Wilson, Terry Kane, Gavin Lawrence and news editor Mike Buxton.

By 2000 the station became part of a larger radio company which also had interests in nearby stations. This group went on to become Local Radio Company which continues to own and operate the station.