From Monday (4th November 2024), Spark Radio, the community-centric station powered by the students at Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College in Southport, will launch on DAB digital radio, reaching a potential audience of up to 330,000 listeners across North Sefton, Central and West Lancashire.
Spark Radio is set to bring a fresh blend of music, engaging talk shows, local updates and compelling podcasts to listeners of all ages, creating a vibrant voice that resonates across the region.
With this expansion to DAB, Spark Radio will now broadcast beyond its online roots, introducing a unique community-based programming style designed to appeal to diverse interests. The station offers a full schedule of music shows, lively discussions and podcasts that cover both local issues and topics relevant to daily life, all curated and presented by the talents of Southport students. Spark Radio’s programming is built to entertain, inform, and connect the community.
This milestone coincides with the upcoming launch of KGV Sixth Form College’s new T Level in Media, Broadcast, and Production, set for September 2025. The course will offer students an industry-focused education in media, and Spark Radio will serve as a hands-on platform, giving students a real-world broadcasting experience, from presenting to show production.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Stephen Musa, Vice Principal. “Spark Radio’s DAB launch will provide hands-on experience in broadcasting, production and media management, offering invaluable skills for their future careers and a chance to make a real impact in the community.”
The daily schedule is designed to bring a sense of rhythm to listeners’ days, featuring:
Monday – Thursday
- 7-9am – Spark Breakfast with Luke – Start the morning with vibrant music, local news, and conversations to kick-start the day.
- 9am-Midday – Spark College day Anthems – Upbeat tracks to keep everyone motivated and entertained during work hours.
- Midday-1pm – Spark Lunchtimes with Grace, Erin, and Scarlett – friendly chat and a mix of popular hits, perfect for a lunchtime break.
- 1-3pm – Spark College Day Anthems – An energising playlist that blends trending hits with classic tunes, for all ages.
- 3-6pm – Spark Home Time with Andy – A perfect way to wind down the workday with audience requests, local happenings, and fun segments.
- 6-7pm – Spark Most Wanted – Countdown of the day’s most popular songs, as voted by the listeners.
- 7-8pm – Spark Radio Study Hour – Relaxing music to accompany study or unwinding after work.
- 8-9pm – Spark Radio Presents… Podcasts! – Weekly podcast segments with shows such as The Self-Employed Life, The Sleep Solution, Unveiling the truth, Building your brand and The Financial Life
- 9pm-Midnight – Spark Non-Stop – Uninterrupted music, perfect for evening relaxation.
Fridays
- 7-9am – Spark Breakfast with Luke – Start the morning with vibrant music, local news, and conversations to kick-start the day.
- 9am-Midday – Spark College Day Anthems – An energising playlist of popular hits to keep everyone motivated throughout the morning.
- Midday-1pm – Spark Sports Round Up with Ben – Your lunchtime sports fix with the latest highlights and scores.
- 1-3pm – Spark’s Feel Good Friday with Rin – Feel-good tracks to get you in the weekend spirit.
- 3-6pm – Spark Home Time with Andy – End the day with fun segments, local happenings, and audience requests.
- 6-7pm – Spark Sports Round Up with Ben – Evening sports round-up covering all the top stories and scores.
- 7-8pm – Spark Non-Stop – An uninterrupted hour of the latest hits to kick off your Friday night.
With Spark Radio’s DAB launch, Southport now has a radio station that celebrates community spirit, amplifies local voices and supports young broadcasters in gaining hands-on industry experience. Spark Radio welcomes all listeners to tune in and join the conversation, providing a platform that’s created by the community, for the community.
Follow Spark Radio on Instagram – @sparkcollradio
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