Press release

Live and Local Radio Is Returning To Swansea

Following complaints about its original name from rival
broadcasters, the only radio station based in Swansea, ‘SA Radio
Live’ will launch at 7am on Monday 30th September. The date
is associated with Wales' first local commercial radio station which
began on the same day in 1974.

However, in 2020, the Swansea Sound name was lost when it
became part of a commercial radio network. A petition signed by
almost 4000 listeners failed to prevent the change and earlier this
year, its sister station The Wave was also rebranded. These changes
meant the loss of both stations’ local identities after 46 and 29
years respectively.

To commemorate what would have been 50 years of local radio in
the city, some of the team behind Swansea Sound will launch a new
radio station called SA Radio Live at 7am on Monday 30th
September. The station will broadcast live and local programmes
from studios in Tircoed Village which has been the home of
community station Radio Tircoed since 2007.

Swansea born commercial and BBC radio veteran Shaun Tilley will
be Station and Programme Director of SA Radio Live. Shaun will
also host the weekday Breakfast Show as he did when The Wave
launched in 1995. “If ever there was a city that needs truly local
radio it is Swansea. I have been fortunate to work all over the UK in
my career but this is my town, I was born and bred here plus I know
it like the back of my hand. This place is unique, the people are
special and we are proud of our incredible heritage. We will be
giving the city back a truly local station with live and interactive
programmes from studios based in the community. Put simply, we
will be from Swansea, for Swansea.”

SA Radio Live will feature a broad mix of classic hit music from all
decades with current songs from established stars and a local
playlist boasting Swansea’s finest musical talent. “If it sounds great,
you will hear it…simple as that. 60’s anthems, loads of 70’s, tonnes
of 80’s alongside the 90’s to now. And we will be the only station
showcasing the city’s best new music in peak time shows and
during a weekly 3 hour programme devoted to artists from our
area.”

The station will have a number of much loved Swansea Sound and
Wave names on its line up including Steve
Dewitt, Siany, Leighton Jones, Plastic Sam, Phil Fothergill,
Mark Powell, Chris ‘Smithy’ Smith, Griff Harries, Rob
Pendry, James Lewis, Kevin King, Matthew Morrissey and the
city’s first ever voice on local radio 50 years ago, Chris Harper.
Shaun will co-host the first programme with local music legend and
broadcaster Mal Pope. Presenters from the former community
station Radio Tircoed will also present shows including a Welsh
language programme, specialist music and a more eclectic mix of
quality tracks at night. SA Radio Live will be committed to
broadcasting what’s on information and a community billboard
whilst also supporting local charities.

“We will be a platform for Swansea events to get the sort of
coverage they would never be able to get from any other station. It
is also vital we offer local businesses incredibly affordable radio
advertising and sponsorship opportunities. This will be especially
good news for those who have only recently started up in such
challenging times financially. But we are all in this together and we
can do a great deal to help each other as we look forward to such an
exciting future for Swansea with so much investment coming into
the area. Due to the terms of our licence, we are limited in how
much revenue we can generate to cover our running costs. But if
any of our super talented local entrepreneurs believe in what we are
trying to give back to Swansea, we would welcome their support
with open arms”.

Beginning at 7am on Monday 30th September, the station will be
heard across Swansea online at saradiolive.co.uk, on its very own
app, smart speakers and on 106.5 FM in the North and East of the
city. There are also plans to be available on DAB when the area’s
new digital multiplex is expected to launch in 2025 and will be
interactive on social media platforms as SA Radio Live. "I feel as
excited as I did when I hosted the first show on The Wave 29 years
ago" says Shaun. "And we are beyond grateful to the Tircoed Village
Trust for their incredible support. We look forward to giving them
and Swansea as a whole, a truly local station it can be proud of once
again”.

For more information please contact shaun@saradiolive.co.uk