 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Frequencies | |
| Programming | |
| Format | Community radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Phoenix FM Limited |
| History | |
First air date | 29 December 1996 (restricted licence) 23 March 2007 (fully licensed) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | MP3 Stream |
| Website | phoenixfm |
Phoenix FM is acommunity radio station serving the areas ofBrentwood andBillericay, United Kingdom on 98.0FM, south Essex on DAB, and worldwide online. Their FM/DAB broadcasts cover an area of over 700,000 people.
The station was formed in 1996 and has been broadcasting full-time on FM since 23 March 2007, having completed twelve 28-day restricted service licence broadcasts onFM between 1996 and 2006.
Phoenix FM was also the first community radio station in the UK to provide astreaming internet service, in 2001.
On 16 February 2006,Ofcom announced that Phoenix FM, after ten years of campaigning, had been awarded a full-time Community Radio licence.[1]
Having previously set up studios in Ongar Road, The Hermitage and Hutton Poplars Lodge, Phoenix FM moved its base of operations to the Baytree Centre in early 2007 and started broadcasting full-time on 98.0 FM at 7pm. on Friday 23 March 2007. The station moved to new studios at the Brentwood Centre in February 2012.
The station's broadcasts have provided a valuable platform for local bands looking to gain airtime.Inme, who were then known under the name of Drowned, were one band whose first radio play and interviews were on the station.
The station's Creative Sessions have given studio recording time to unknown and young local bands as well as featuring established recording artists such asRepublica,Imogen Heap,Turin Brakes,Salad,Echobelly,Midway Still,Chris T-T andMJ Hibbett.
Phoenix FM joined the Southend small-scale DAB multiplex on 30 April 2025, increasing its terrestrial audience by a further 800,000 listeners.
East London and Essex Digital, a consortium led by Phoenix FM and including Basildon station Gateway 97.8, won the small scale DAB multiplex licence for North East London and South West Essex in July 2024.[2] Phoenix FM launched on DAB in East London and south Essex in January 2026, increasing its potential terrestrial audience to over 3,200,000.[3]
51°38′4″N0°17′56″E / 51.63444°N 0.29889°E /51.63444; 0.29889