Féile FM
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| Féile FM 103.2 | |
| Broadcast area | Greater Belfast (FM) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.2 MHz |
| First air date | July 1996 |
| Format | Community |
| Owner | Féile an Phobail |
| Website | Féile FM |
Féile FM 103.2 is a community radio station based at the Conway Mill in West Belfast.
Féile FM first hit the airwaves in July 1996 broadcasting for 28 days on a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) and became an instant hit with the local West Belfast community. Within two years Féile FM were broadcasting for two, four-week periods each year, providing both a build up to Draíocht and St. Patrick's Day in March and an atmosphere of celebration prior to and during August Féile.
The station is operated under the banner of Féile an Phobail. When on the air the station is run by a radio co-ordinator and a large number of volunteers from the local community and beyond. Volunteers are involved in many aspects of the station from hospitality, telephones, news team, production, presenters and even managers. Féile FM offers volunteers opportunities to learn new skills which are beneficial in many areas of development but especially for those seeking a career in media.
[edit] History
Over the first nine years Féile FM broadcasted on the same frequency of 106.2 FM, this frequency changed to 107.7 FM for the radio broadcast in July/August 2005. The station however has been a roving unit for many years broadcasting from various venues, it returned to Conway Mill in February 2004 to a purpose built studio with top-of-the-range equipment. The new look Féile FM was created from a partnership between Féile an Phobail and Conway Mill and was funded by BLSP.
In October 2005 Féile FM made a further development in being granted a full-time community radio licence by OFCOM (the industry regulator). The terms of this licence allows Féile FM to take 2 years to develop the radio station. When Féile FM are ready they will be allowed to broadcast all throughout the year (no longer restricted to just St Patricks and the August Féile festival.) This will allow them to provide a full-time community radio service to Belfast.
[edit] The Future
Féile FM will be launching full-time on their new frequency of 103.2FM on the 5 August, in time for the start of Féile 2007. [1]
