February might well be the shortest month, but Marlow’s community radio station, Marlow FM hit several milestones during those few short weeks last month.
- The station has notched up more listeners than ever before.
- It released a mobile phone app to make online listening easier.
- Its FM licence has been renewed for another five years in recognition of its service to the community.
- It’s survived yet more flooding at Longridge.
- Its satellite studio at Great Marlow School went on air for the first time.
Details on all this right here:
More listeners than ever before, and more ways to listen!
From Monday 15 February to Sunday 21 February, Marlow FM had 2,334 unique online listeners, its highest weekly number since records began.
Over the first seven weeks of this year, the average number of unique online listeners each day was 41% higher than the average number for the whole of 2020, and 113% higher than the average for the first seven weeks of that year.
The station puts this increase down to its coverage of lockdown services and the roll-out of the vaccines, new presenters and shows, and its guests. In recent weeks, they’ve been joined by John Glen, the director of more James Bond films than any other, Jill Nalder from It’s A Sin, whose real-life story the hit TV series was based on, and Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker, as well as many local people who have been sharing their important stories.
The numbers above are for online listeners only. Marlow FM doesn’t have any over-the-air listening figures because it’s too expensive to join RAJAR, the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences in the UK. But overall there are still more over-the-air listeners (AM/FM/DAB/DTV) than online listeners (phones/tablets/computers/smart speakers) – a commonly-accepted ratio is 4 to 1. So its total audience is much bigger than just those listening online.
Mobile phone app launched
Marlow FM’s phone and tablet app was launched at the end of the month, making it much easier to listen online. Find it in Apple’s App Store and on Google Play – just search for “Marlow FM”
FM licence renewed for another five years
Regulator Ofcom will also announce next week that it has extended the station’s FM licence for another five years in recognition of its service to the community. This is its second licence extension, and it will start on Marlow FM’s 10th birthday on 11 May.
More flooding, and satellite studio launched
Earlier this month, it was ‘all hands to the pumps’ as water levels rose and the studio building at Longridge found itself sitting in the middle of the Thames again, rather than on the banks. A calamity was avoided, and it was an impetus to get the new satellite studio at Great Marlow School on air. Marlow FM intends to use the studio for doing training, making pre-recorded programmes, and giving schoolchildren a taste of how broadcasting works.
Well done to Marlow FM for all your continued hard work to keep up entertained and informed – plus supporting the community all round!
