The Durham and Darlington FM licenses owned by View TV Group have been sold to Helius Media. The licenses which had been joined to form a single station, had been broadcasting as Vintage Music Radio, and before that Rathergood Radio. View TV bought what was Star Radio North East in March 2017, launching Rathergood Radio in August of that year.
A couple of days ago I broke the news that Durham FM was to relaunch. Further details, including the ownership change were revealed earlier today. Helius Media are a new company, and are currently part of the joint venture running Imagine FM in Stockport with Like Radio.
As things stand Alpha FM (which may also be known on air as Alpha Radio or Alpha 103.2), will be resurrected in June this year on the 103.2 FM frequency in Darlington and the surrounding area. There has been no word on the plans for the Richmond 102.6 FM frequency, although this may become a relay for Alpha.
Durham FM will relaunch at the same time, and a website is already online at www.durhamfm.co.uk. This will take over the 102.8 FM frequency for County Durham, and 106.8 FM relay for Bishop Auckland. The current website follows the usual View TV Group layout and design, suggesting either the plans for Durham FM were initiated by View TV, or they may remain involved in some aspects of the station.
As yet there are no details on whether the stations will share programmes, or what presenters will be involved. Ultimately, todays news will be welcome to disgruntled listeners not happy with the increasing networking on other stations using ‘local’ licenses.
Rathergood Radio still broadcasts, but is now on DAB in London, broadcasting from studios in Reading. Vintage Music Radio is also making the move south, but is likely to become a national station at some point in the near future.