Contents:
1 What is the Public File?
2 News Bulletins
3 Recent News
4 The News Team
5 The Programme Schedule
6 Automation and Local Programming
7 Events and Charities we support
8 Coverage Highlights
9 Music Playlist
10 The Format
11 Ofcom Localness Guidelines
12 Contact Us
13 How to Complain
1. What is the Public File?
Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, such as news etc. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK media regulator.
The Public File contains details of elements Ofcom regulate over, such as music tracks, local news etc. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing for the community we serve.
The Public File is available as a print out on request. Any comments on the file can be made to us or Ofcom.
2. News Bulletins
Below are details of how often we broadcast news bulletins and whether they are local, national or international news.
Monday to Friday
Local, National and World News
0630, 0700, 0730, 0800, 0830, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1630, 1700, 1730, 1800, 1830
National and World News at all other times
Saturday
Local, National and World News
0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300
National and World News at all other times
Sunday
Local, National and World News
0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300
National and World News at all other times
3. Recent News
To view some of our latest news articles, please view the local news page.
4. The News Team
If you have any queries about News, contact one of our journalists via the usual 'Contact Us' details.
5. The Programme Schedule
To view today's Programme Schedule, please click 'On Air'.
Schedule
MONDAY - FRIDAY
06:00 : 10:00 : Wessex FM Breakfast with Jason Herbert (Local)
10:00 : 14:00 : Steve Bulley (Local)
14:00 : 19:00 : Drivetime with Del Thompson (Local)
19:00 : 24:00 : Evening Show (Local)
00:00 : 01:00 : Wessex fm overnight (local)
SATURDAY
06:00 : 08:00 :Early Breakfast (local)
08:00 : 13:00 : Del Thompson (local)
13:00 : 18:00 : Saturday Music and Sport with Dave Goulden (Local)
18:00 : 24:00 :Jason Herbert's Dance Party (local)
00:00 : 06:00 : Wessex fm overnight (local)
SUNDAY
06:00 : 09:00 : Steve Bulley (local)
09:00 : 14:00 : Dave Goulden (Local)
14:00 : 16:00 : Unplugged with Maria Greenwood (Local)
16:00 : 19:00 : Big Top 40 Show (Network)
19:00 : 24:00 : Sunday Night Music
00:00 : 06:00 : Wessex fm overnight (local)
6. Automation and Local Programming
All Wessex FM programming is local except the Hit40uk Chart Show Sunday 1600-1900
Sometimes it is necessary to pre-record (sometimes called Automation) programmes on the station. We don't currently use more than one hour automation in our regular weekday daytime schedule and no more than three hours in our regular on weekend daytime schedules.
7. Events and Charities we support
The major events we cover each year are the Dorset County Show in September, from where we launched in 1993, the Dorchester Carnival in June and the Weymouth Carnival in August. Local groups and charities can publise their events with us throughout the year via the Events Guide both on-air and online.
Our chosen charity this year is the British Heart Foundation. We helped raise over £1000 with 'Bring a pound to work day' and we support their Weymouth Bay Swim in August. In recognition of our work we were awarded the Arqiva/British Heart Foundation Action on Health Award. Local groups and charities can use our Actionline to raise awareness of their work.
8. Coverage Highlights
The People Awards
Together with the local newspaper the Dorset Echo we recognise people in our community who change peoples lives for the better. There are awards for volunteer worker, young person, teacher, neighbour, family and local hero.
9. Music Playlist
To give you an idea of our music, below is a couple of hours from July.
You're All I Have - Snow Patrol, Shiny Happy People - Rem, Bad Day - Daniel Powter, Sail Away - David Gray, More Than This - Roxy Music, I Want To Break Free - Queen, Who Knew - Pink, Into The Groove - Madonna, Should I Stay Or Should I Go - Clash, Leave Right Now - Will Young, Moving On Up - M People, Get Back - Beatles, Thank You - Jamelia, Tainted Love - Soft Cell, Talk - Coldplay, Man! I Feel Like A Woman - Shania Twain, Crazy - Gnarls Barkley, Give Me The Night - George Benson, She Moves In Her Own Way - Kooks, Ain't No Party - Orson, Tide Is High - Blondie.
10. The Format
The format is the regulation document Ofcom issue. You can read or download it from Ofcom at:
11. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
Ofcom issue Guidelines defining what "localness" is for a Local Radio station. You can read them on the Ofcom website:
12. Contact Us
To contact us, please click our contact details at the bottom of the page.
13. How to Complain
If you have any complain about the radio station, for example, something you have heard - an advertisement or news story - in the first instance contact the station using the above details.
If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 020 7981 3040 or via their website; www.ofcom.org.uk
