Power FM Canary Islands
 | |
| Broadcast area | Worldwide |
|---|---|
| First air date | 22 October 1995 |
| Format | CHR |
| Owner | Gavin Watson |
| Website | www.powerfmradio.com |
Power FM is an English language radio station broadcasting around the globe.
On 22 October 1995 Power FM started broadcasting from a small 1w FM transmitter was put on a roof in a small village called Los Gigantes and it was decided to call this station Power FM. Power FM, over the years, became the largest English speaking radio station in Spain. The website, at the height of the success of the station, had over 2.000.000 hits every single month with visitors from all over the world, webcams, studios on all the major Canary Islands and true LIVE 24-hour broadcasting...
Much happened between 1995 and 2010 including the sale of the station in 2006 and its closure on 30 June 2010.
Now, members of the original team are planning to relaunch the station.
As ‘The Blues Brothers’ would say… ‘We’re getting the band back together’.
Early days
Power FM started broadcasting on the 22 October 1995, broadcasting on 91.6fm to the village of Los Gigantes in the south west of Tenerife. Its founder, Gavin Watson, hosted the first programme. In the early days the station was based in the back room of an electronics shop.
Within 2 years coverage had expanded to the entire south coast of Tenerife, including Los Cristianos and Las Americas.
Network expansion
In 2001, Power FM was broadcasting to Tenerife, La Gomera and Gran Canaria, and in 2002 it launched in Lanzarote. Giving Power FM the most radio coverage of English-language radio stations in the Canaries. At this time the station went through a period of on air and online rebranding, losing the former slogan "Your Friendly Radio Station" to becoming "Seven Islands, One Station".
In 2003 it was evident that more coverage was required in Gran Canaria, and 2 new transmitter sites were set up.
2006 re-launch
In 2006, Power FM was bought by Kaldec Investments S.L. and the station went through a period of development, and is now based in brand new studios in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.[1]
Power FM also set up a classic hit station called Gold FM.[1]
Slogans / taglines
- 1995 - 2001 - Your Friendly Radio Station
- 2001 - 2005 - Seven Islands, One Station
- 2005 - Present - The Canaries Best Music Variety
Previous presenters
Previous presenters have included: Andy Grey (Now on www.linekersradio.com & Kiss Canaries), Carl Hartley (Now at Lakeland Radio and Radio Wave in the UK),Gillian King, Bob Preston, Chris Larkman, Theresa Willson, Rob "That Man" Astley, "Pony" Paul Marley, Mack Ballantyne, Paul Webb, Helga Ekdahl, Danny Looker, Juan the Man, Martin Allen, Simon Reiterbund (also known as Simon Ritter), Roy England, Heather Richardson and Steve Christian (Ken Burkitt).
Programming & current presenters
Power FM's programming is mainly produced in house by Power FM, with some subscription based programmes complimenting the schedules. The current line up includes:
- Ricky Porter
- Dominic James
- Dawnie D
- Val Richardson
- Gordon King
- Katy Kennedy
- Pete Quilty
- Hollie Bourne
- Eddie Hastings
- Adam Marks
- The eXpat Chart with Spencer James
- Kim Robson
Keith Holden
Power FM also takes some programmes from BBC World Service.
Power FM also has a number of subscription programmes including Power FM Dance with Rob Wills, Power FM Love with Bernie Simmonds and The eXpat Chart with Spencer James.
References
- 1 2 "Power Fm – going for gold". Tenerife News. Retrieved 2008-05-14.