Star Radio Public File (Darlington)
Contents
1. What is the Public File?
2. Introduction to Star Radio
3. News Bulletins
4. Recent News
5. The News Team
6. The Programme Schedule
7. Automation and Local Programming
8. Events and Charities
9. Coverage Highlights
10. Music (The Playlist)
11. The Format
12. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
13. Contact Us
14. 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 of the station output regulated by Ofcom such as the music, provison of local news etc. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing to serve the community we broadcast to.
The public file is available on request at the radio station, and any comments on the file can be made to us directly or to Ofcom.
2. Introduction to Star Radio
Star Radio launched on 2nd November 2009 broadcasting across Darlington and the surrounding towns and villages. The station was launched by the UKRD Group and covers the area originally occupied by Alpha Radio.
Star Radio plays the "Best Music" from the 1960's to today, with an aim to make the audience "Feel Good"! The station supplies credible local news and delivers entertinment from local personalities who truly understand the transmission area, most who have lived and worked in the area for many years.
It is Star Radio's continuing commitment to deliver quality local radio to the people of the Darlington area and this public file will outline some of the areas in which we deliver local content.
If you have any feedback about Star Radio or wish to make a complaint, please see below for further details.
3. News Bulletins
Star Radio runs a local news service for the majority of its programming. The station carries a service from Independant Radio News/Sky News Radio during off-peak hours.
Local bulletins are prepared and presented at the following times :
Monday to Friday : 0700, 0730, 0800, 0830, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1630, 1700, 1730, 1800
Saturday : 0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200,
Sunday : 0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200,
4. Recent News
For examples of recent news stories, check out our news page here.
5. The News Team
The Acting News Editor is Louise Bostock. If you have a potential news story, please email us or call us via the 'contact us' page. Alternatively find us on www.facebook.com/starradionortheast and comment there.
6. The Programme Schedule
All Star Radio programmes are produced locally from the studios in Darlington, County Durham. Star Radio currently carries no network programming or programmes produced outside of the total transmission area.
Monday to Friday :
0000 - 0600 Non-Stop Star (Automated Programming)
0700 - 1000 Robin Banks Breakfast Skow
1000 - 1400 Craig Andrews
1400 - 1800 Tom Davies
1800 - 2000 Three Legends Football Phone In
2000 - 2200 Chris Kaye
2200 - 0000 Automated Programming
Friday :
2200 - 0000 Disco Bunny with Carl Burns (Automated Programming)
Saturday :
0000 - 0800 Non-Stop star (Automated Programming)
0800 - 1200 Michelle Mary Mustard
1200 - 1800 Tom Davies (Automated Programming)
1800 - 2200 Non-Stop Star (Automated Programming)
2200 - 0000 Disco Bunny with Carl Burns (Automated Programming)
Sunday :
0000 - 0800 Non-Stop star (Automated Programming)
0800 - 1200 Michelle Mary Mustard
1200 - 1800 Craig Andrews (Automated Programming)
1800 - 0000 Non-Stop Star (Automated Programming)
7. Automation and Local Programming
Star Radio occasionally carries special programmes produced externally or broadcast from out of the area, but there are no currently scheduled examples. Some of Star Radio's programmes are recorded and played out in 'automation' by computer. These have been marked accordingly.
8. Events and Charities
Star Radio is in the process of establishing it's own charitable trust with the aim to support community projects and local charities across the year following different fundraising events.
Star Radio operates a very successful "Star Guide" both on-air and via the website www.thisisstar.co.uk. Many local organisations update their own events and information on the website, and this is used in conjunction with prepared research for the presenters to talk about local events.
In December 2010, Star Radio worked with Children North East to promote and collect toys as part of their regional toy appeal to help children and families across the transmission area.
Star Radio is committed to working with partners right across County Durham to attend events, deliver extra value and make a difference. Members of the station team get themselves involved with fundraising events from time to time.
9. Coverage Highlights
Star Radio is passionate about Darlington. Star Radio has recently taken over the "Passionate About ...." brand from One North East the body which is being closed by the government. The station intends to further the original objectives of the "passionate about campaign" in the coming year - so Star Radio can officially say it is "Passionate about Darlington" and is planning a series of events to demonstrate it's committment.
Star Radio covers a number of areas which include families of service personnel - and the station produced a special programme for Armistice Day / Remembrance 2010. It was presented by a station presenter who as a member of the Territorial Army had recently returned from Afghanistan featuring audio recorded by News Editor Louise Bostock on her trips to Afghanistan under the MOD Editors abroad scheme. The hour long programme featuring local soldiers has now been announced as the International Radio and Production Awards, Feature Award Winner (All Markets).
10. Music (The Playlist)
The station's music policy is based on the best of "feel good" music from the current charts and years gone by as far back as the mid-1960's inline with the station format. It is broadly based and designed to increase listening particularly with listeners aged 35+.
As an example of the current music played, the A and B lists from the playlist in March 2011 looked like this :
ADELE - SOMEONE LIKE YOU, BRUNO MARS - GRENADE, CEE LO GREEN - FORGET YOU, JESSIE J - PRICE TAG, JLS - EYES WIDE SHUT, LADY GAGA - BORN THIS WAY, PINK - PERFECT, TAKE THAT - KIDZ, ALEXIS JORDAN - GOOD GIRL, ADELE - ROLLING IN THE DEEP, McFLY - THAT’S THE TRUTH, NICOLE SCHERZINGER - DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH, THE SCRIPT - IF YOU EVER COME BACK, OLLY MURS - HEART ON MY SLEEVE, THE WANTED - GOLD FOREVER.
Old and recurrent music artists include : Abba, Chic, Wham, Duran Duran, Queen, U2, Madonna, Belinda Carlisle, Take That, Michael Buble and many more.
11. The Format
Ofcom issue every radio station with a format, and you can read the format issued to Star Radio (Darlington) via the Ofcom website here.
Format Star Radio (Darlington)
12. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
Ofcom issue guidelines on localness for UK radio stations. The full guide is available via the Ofcom website here.
13. Contact Us
To contact Star Radio please send an email via the website 'contact us' section or call 01325 341 801.
Or write directly to the Star Radio team :
Managing Director - Mark Reason
Programme Controller - Robin Banks
Head of News - Louise Fewster
PA to MD - Jan Wilson
11 Woodland Road, Darlington, County Durham DL3 7BJ
14. How to Complain
If you have a complaint about Star Radio, for example something you've heard on-air, perhaps an advertisement, news story or other content, please contact the station in the first instance using the above details.
If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 0207 981 3040 or via their website; www.ofcom.org.uk
Star Radio hopes this public file is of use for the information you seek, if you have any feedback please do contact us directly.
