The Eye (radio station)


103 The Eye is a community radio station in Great Britain. The station broadcasts on 103.0 FM in Melton Mowbray and across the Vale of Belvoir and via the internet. It takes its name from the River Eye which flows through Melton.

Background

"103 The Eye" was the first community radio station in the United Kingdom to begin broadcasting on a full five-year licence granted by OfCom. Fifteen other stations had previously held short-term licences under the pilot scheme, but The Eye was the first station to go on air after the format was opened to general applications.
Before 2004 the station had been known as "TWC", and had held a number of 28-day Restricted Service Licence broadcasts with the aim of persuading the Radio Authority to license a new local commercial radio station to serve Melton Mowbray, Cotgrave, Bingham and the surrounding areas of south east Nottinghamshire and north Leicestershire.
"103 The Eye" broadcasts a variety of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, plus specialist discussion and music shows. The first song broadcast after the official launch at 07:00 on 1 November 2005 was Eye of the Tiger by the American classic rock group, Survivor. The first presenters' voices heard were those of Cliff King and Dave Baron. Then Breakfast presenter Steve Goode took charge of the first show 7am - 9:30 and went on to host the breakfast show finishing on his 100th show the following March
Brian Coutts hosted lunch. The show was a lively mix of music, chat and quizzes. Brian wenton to become the station manager.
The drive time show was presented by Richard Late who had also presented the breakfast show on numerous "TWC" RSL broadcasts. Richard was also responsible for booking the bands and the organisation of the staging and lighting for the "Rock the Vale" Festival held within the grounds of the stations home in Hickling Pastures in 2006.
During the day and evening the station broadcasts SKY news bulletins every hour. There are also local news features and local events diary broadcasts during the day.
In 2006, the station moved from its original studios at Hickling Pastures to Melton Mowbray. It has since established additional studios in the school, and is one of the most prolific community radio stations providing more than 100 hours of live programming every week.

Rock The Vale (2006)

Rock The Vale was a concert organised in association with the station over the May day bank holiday weekend. It was headlined by Showaddywaddy and featured a number of tribute acts, and the final of the stations Rock Idol. Proceeds from the event went to fund the station and Cancer Research UK.