BBC Radio Lancashire
BBC Radio Lancashire is the BBC's local radio station serving the county of Lancashire.
![]() Logo used since March 2022 | |
Broadcast area | Lancashire |
---|---|
Frequency | FM: 95.5 MHz (Central and East Lancashire) FM: 103.9 MHz (Central and West Lancashire) FM: 104.5 MHz (Morecambe Bay) DAB: 12A |
RDS | BBC Lanc |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Local news, talk and music |
Network | Local BBC Radio |
Ownership | |
Owner | BBC |
Operator | BBC North West |
BBC Radio Merseyside BBC Radio Manchester BBC Radio Cumbria | |
History | |
First air date | 26 January 1971 |
Former names | BBC Radio Blackburn (1971–1981) BBC Lancashire |
Former frequencies | 855 kHz MW 1557 kHz MW |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen |
Website | BBC Radio Lancashire |
It broadcasts on FM, AM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios on Darwen Street in Blackburn.
According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 163,000 listeners and a 5.2% share as of December 2022.[1]
Transmitters
BBC Radio Lancashire broadcasts on three FM transmitters. The 103.9 FM signal, which covers central and western part of the area, comes 529 metres (1,736 ft) high on the Winter Hill transmitter, and its height gives it the greatest coverage over Lancashire. North Manchester, although nearby, can also pick up the signal. The station's other FM transmitters cover the eastern part of the county with an additional FM transmitter covering the Morecambe Bay area.
Beginning on 1 October 2001, the DAB signals have come from the EMAP Digital Central Lancashire 12A multiplex located at Winter Hill and Pendle Forest (near Nelson). Pendle Forest also started broadcasting BBC National DAB stations in April 2004.
In addition, BBC Radio Lancashire also broadcasts on Freeview TV channel 720 in the BBC North West region and streams online via BBC Sounds.
Until 17 May 2021, BBC Radio Lancashire had also broadcast on MW.[2]
Programming
Local programming is produced and broadcast from the BBC's Blackburn studios from 6am – 10pm on Sundays – Fridays and from 6am – 2am on Saturdays.
The late show, airing from 10pm – 1am, is simulcast with BBC Radio Cumbria on Monday - Thursday, and originates from BBC Radio Merseyside on Fridays and BBC Radio Manchester on Saturdays and Sundays.
During the station's downtime, BBC Radio Lancashire simulcasts overnight programming from BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London.
Notable former presenters
- Jim Bowen (deceased)
- Richard Hammond
- Tony Livesey (now at BBC Radio 5 Live)
- Andy Peebles
- Martin Roberts (afterwards on Homes Under the Hammer)
- Norman Thomas
References
- "RAJAR". RAJAR. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "Ten more stations turn off Medium Wave services". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.