The first month was very well received and has set a very high standard for future broadcasts

MKFM is an exciting new project led by a team of radio professionals from Horizon Radio and Heart to bring mainstream local radio back to Milton Keyne...
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MKFM is an exciting new project led by a team of radio professionals from Horizon Radio and Heart to bring mainstream local radio back to Milton Keynes. MKFM is a not for profit company which is currently run entirely by volunteers who believe passionately that MK is a unique city with a distinct identity which should have its own radio station. MKFM will be applying to Ofcom for a community radio license when they become available in this area, however under current plans, this will not be until Spring 2014. In the meantime, we are limited to broadcasting for 28 days at a time, twice a year and online. The first FM trial broadcast took place in July 2011, with a second planned for November/December 2011. The trial broadcasts are an opportunity for MKFM to demonstrate how a full time radio station would benefit the community, and to gather support from listeners and local organisations. The first month was very well received and has set a very high standard for future broadcasts.

MKFM has several important objectives for both on and off air which we aim to demonstrate during our trial broadcasts. The following pages summarise our achievements so far...

There is currently no mainstream local radio service aimed at under 35’s in Milton Keynes. The 103.3 frequency which was licensed for a local radio service for Milton Keynes in 1990 now carries 7 hours a day of regional output covering four counties, with the remainder a rebroadcast from London. The lack of a local radio station impacts many areas of the community. There is now no local travel news, school closure information, sports news, what’s on information, details of local charities, local music and culture, and many other services which have been taken for granted in the past. The overall effect is that the sense of community in Milton Keynes is eroded. Pete Winkleman from MK Dons has told MKFM he feels the withdrawl of local radio support has contributed to a decline in ticket sales and many local events and good causes must rely on local press for awareness. MKFM seeks to bring back mainstream local radio to Milton Keynes. According to official audience research by RAJAR, of the total population in our coverage area of 232,000 adults, 75,300 are aged 15-34 of which we aim to reach at least 19,000*. Early research from the July trial broadcast indicates that listener numbers were very close to this target.

*Currently, Heart FM reaches 48% of this age group, (despite the music being designed for over 35’s) and we are aiming to reach at least 50% of this audience, giving MKFM a listenership of 19,000 within our target, plus secondary listeners from other demographics.

• Eye catching studio pod outside Xscape • Primetime coverage on ITV Anglia news on every bulletin • Banners at Cineworld and MKFM music played before screenings • Branded Ford Kuga vehicle at local events • Giant branded bouncy slide provided to local events • Samantha The Panther radio station mascot • MKFM Black Panther street team active across MK at dozens of local events from carnivals, fundays, school fetes, fashion shows and many more events • Poster campaign in shop windows in Stony Stratford, Bletchley, Wolverton, Newport Pagnell and local centres • Car stickers and 20,000 fliers distributed across Milton Keynes • Extensive facebook, twitter and online campaign • Word of mouth publicity from our army of over 100 volunteers • Posters in all Arriva buses in MK and shop windows across Milton Keynes • Over 30,000 fliers distributed at events • Permanent branding at Midsummer Place, The Hub, Oceana and the beach in Xscape • Close relationship with Parks Trust and official media partner of Midsummer Fayre Festival, World Picnic, Filipino Festival and other Campbell Park events • Presence at all MK Dons matches • MKFM Ice Parties on Fridays at Planet Ice • Live outside broadcasts from Oceana every Saturday and Lloyds every Friday

MKFM has featured many community groups on air to raise awareness of their work and attended numerous events including the following: 25/9/11 – Attended Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk at Willen Lake 22/9/11 – Live broadcast from MK SNAP charities day including interviews with Alzheimer’s Society, Different Strokes, Disability Snowsports, Dogs for the Disabled, Hearing Dogs, MacIntyre, MK Community Foundation, MK MIND, MK SNAP, MKPA, Talkback Bucks, Tarsia Monkey Foundation 18/9/11 - MKFM co-promoted and hosted Diverse Arts Live at MK Theatre with Milton Keynes Equality Council and continues to work with MKEQ to promote social cohesion 11/9/11 - Media partner for Cancer Research UK’s Get On Your Bike 10/9/11 – Community Funday at Webber Independent School 9/9/11 – Woburn Oyster Festival 3/9/11 – Cultural Festival / Mela at Campbell Park 3/9/11 – The Big Fish at Linford Lakes 28/8/11 – Skyride cycling event, CMK 21/8/11 – Fenny Poppers Festival, Fenny Stratford 15/8/11 & 20/6/11 – MKFM co-hosted charity nights for Little Lives Appeal at Red Hot Buffet 20/8/11 - Monkston Community Centre Funday 20/8/11 – Tinkers Bridge Funday 13/8/11 – Milton Keynes RUFC Open Day 13/8/11 - Beanhill Beach Funday 12/8/11 – Hawaiian Charity Night at Burnt Oak, Shenley Brook End 7/8/11 – Barrel Bikers Funday at Bradwell Abbey 30/7/11 - Funday for MK Hospital Intensive Care Unit at Shenley Leisure Centre 25/7/11 - Charity premiere of Mr Popper’s Penguins at Cineworld for Save The Children 24/7/11 - Live broadcast from The Hub:MK Charities Bazaar including interviews with numerous local charities 24/7/11 – World Picnic at Campbell Park 23/7/11 – Parklife Festival in Newport Pagnell 17/7/11 – MK Half Marathon 17/7/11 – Radcliffe School Victorian Fete 30-31/7/11 - Milton Keynes Summer Fayre at Campbell Park 16/7/11 – Haversham Village Fete 16/7/11 – Korfstock at Emerson Valley Sports Pavillion 15/7/11 - Charity Fashion Show for The Redway School at Christ The Cornerstone Church 9/7/11 - Newport Pagnell Carnival 3/7/11 - Passenham Manor Fete 26/6/11 - Filipino Festival at Campbell Park 25/6/11 – Kents Hill Summer Fete 26/6/11 – Water Eaton Youth FC Tournament 25/6/11 - Woughton Community Carnival 14/6/11 - MKFM hosted Young Fashion Designer Awards at Midsummer Place 18/6/11 – Helped Willen Hospice Midnight Moo Promotion at Midsummer Place 11/6/11 – Mascot Olympics in the Theatre District

Many local performers and bands have benefited from radio airplay, interviews and live performances on MKFM and exposure at the many local music events we have supported. Lunchtime Live – Daily live public performance at our studio at Xscape. MK Music Show – Every Wednesday evening, the best local bands are featured on the show with exclusive live sessions recorded at Hillside Studios, recordings of gigs from around Milton Keynes, interviews and video content. The team work hard to attend as many music events as possible across the week. Open Mic Contest – MKFM and Real Music MK have been running a competition open to everyone at First Base bar in Xscape every Sunday. Performers have the opportunity to be noticed by MKFM producers, local record labels and compete for a cash prize with the final broadcast live. Band Brawl – A local band contest at the Craufurd Arms promoted and supported by MKFM. Tea Monkey Live – Another open mic event promote by MKFM and broadcast live from the cafe in Midsummer Place. Open Mic At Slug & Lettuce – MKFM will be broadcasting this popular monthly night live and again bringing local music to a wider audience. BK & Kaz – MKFM promoted the launch of local duo’s album on 24/6/11 with a special launch party at Groove in the Theatre District. Frixtion – Local 19 year old rapper Adam Gates has been playlisted on MKFM, we broadcast his performance at Oceana supporting Chipmunk live on air on 27/7/11 and have offered his single as a free download to all MKFM Facebook fans. MK Bowl – MKFM was the local radio partner for Foo Fighters recent gig at the Bowl, we gave away over 20 pairs of tickets for the concert, our street team attended the event and we gave live travel news for concert goers before and after the events. MKFM Music Events – MKFM has presented local acts on stage at many local events such as the charity nights at Red Hot World Buffet, World Picnic and Fenny Poppers Festival in partnership with Real Music MK. Live Club Nights – MKFM broadcasts live from Lloyds No.1 in the Theatre District every Friday night, and from Oceana on Saturdays. Specialist Music Shows – MKFM plays a diverse range of specialist music every evening and at the weekend with genres ranging from rock to dubstep, dance to hiphop, all presented by local DJs. Showtime – Steven Gordon Wilson presents a weekly show dedicated to local arts in Milton Keynes featuring interviews and audio from MK Theatre, The Stables, Crucible Theatre and arts events.

 When on FM, MKFM broadcast travel news specific to Milton Keynes three times an hour on breakfast and drive and hourly across the rest of the day.  During our FM broadcasts our news team covered many local news stories, led by Victoria Meakin, former local reporter for Horizon Radio and Heart 103.3  MKFM have attended every MK Dons match at Stadium MK  During the trial broadcast, we carried full match commentary on MK Dons v Tottenham Hotspur presented by former Heart/Horizon commentator Mikey Burrows. This was very well received and we have the full support of the MK Dons for the radio station.  MKFM has been working closely with MK Lions to promote local basketball. Vince McAuley is a regular guest on air, we attend every match at the Lions Arena and MK Lions players present a weekly show called In Love And Basketball featuring HipHop and basketball news.  MKFM also supports MK Lightning, local rugby and hockey teams and is keen to help promote any other smaller sports clubs who we can find and feature their news and results on our Saturday sports show.  MKFM is committed to broadcasting a comprehensive list of school closures, nursery closures and the impact of extreme weather conditions on air and already includes a live feed from the council school closure database on the website.  Regular features are broadcast including a weekly local restaurant review with The Food Whisperer, recipes for kids from Crafty Cooks, a Parks Trust feature on local events, movie and theatre reviews, book reviews and a local facts segment.  MKFM’s studio pod is situated outside Xscape in a high footfall area and we are always available for people to drop in and promote their event or activity, request a song or send a message to someone.

MKFM is proud to have over 100 volunteers who work alongside our team of experienced radio professionals. Radio and music can reach disaffected youth in an unique way and give a voice to those who feel detached from mainstream society. Our coaching programme aims to develop local talent so we can offer live on air experience at a high standard. We offer industry standard training and the opportunity to learn from former commercial radio staff with genuine practical experience of working for a radio station. Our presenters range from 12 years old up to 50 and are trained to ensure our output is relevant, professional and engaging for a mass audience. There are many ways for people to get involved both on air, as part of our street team and with other roles from designing posters to engineering. MKFM run a weekly workshop at Radcliffe School in Wolverton where a group of Year 10 pupils put together a radio show which is broadcast live on MKFM from the school. MKFM work with Countec on projects to introduce practical workplace challenges to pupils from local schools MKFM hosted a fashion show at Midsummer Place for young designers from local schools and colleges in conjunction with Perception PR and the designs are featured at mkfm.com. Film students from Stantonbury Campus present a weekly video film review.

MKFM are grateful for the support of the following local companies and organisations: -

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Interdirect – Provide marketing support and consultancy and designed the MKFM brand Xscape – Provide MKFM with high profile premises on front piazza Drive-Hire – Provider of street team vehicle Fast Cabs Eezy Cabs Motorserv Re-Use Centre RGS Entertainment Midsummer Place Oceana Milton Keynes Theatre The Theatre District Ikea John Lewis The Hub MK / Jardine PR ITV Anglia – Launch coverage on primetime local news bulletins First Buses – Displayed MKFM posters in all local buses during July The Leaflet Delivery Company – Delivered 50,000 MKFM leaflets free of charge Lunar Safari – Provided free website hosting The Parks Trust - Destination MK - Perception PR - MK Dons / MK Dons S.E.T - MK Lions - MK Lightning / Planet Ice - Cineworld - Inspired Print & Design - Nandos - Red Hot World Buffet - Keith Emmett & Sons - Cafe Rouge The Greene Room Bookmeadisco.com Real Music MK Lloyds No.1 Livingstone White PR MK National Bowl Bletchley Park Strada Frantic Flo Dancers

Almost 100 messages of support from the local community have been posted at http://www.mkfm.com/about-mkfm/support-mkfm.html. This is a small selection: 

Milton Keynes and its people deserve better than Heart offers. It has slowly ceased to be a local radio station over the past two years and now the only local thing about it is the adverts. Horizon was a fabulous station that was slowly killed for the sake of profit margins. The people of MK want a proper local radio station. Please give MKFM all the help it needs. - James Pope 26/9/11



Having a proper local radio station who gets out in the community and plays DECENT music was so refreshing - bring back MKFM! I miss you! - J Fenton 23/8/11



Very many thanks for trying to bring back local radio to MK and providing us with such a great taster session of whats to come! we have so missed being able to relate to the banter and local news not to mention your great music choices!! long may MK FM continue and very best wishes for our future together, Ryn x - Carolyn Stevens 11/8/11



About time Milton Keynes had its own radio station and from what I have heard, I'm loving it....MKFM to stay - Byron Smith 10/8/11



Absolutely loved the station. I stopped listening to Heart as it just wasn't the same anymore Debbie F 9/8/11



MKFM is what MK needs - a proper local radio station! I used to like Horizon Radio but stopped listening when Heart messed it up. MKFM is a proper local station and I loved listening to it on my work to work throughout July. It would be stupid not to make MKFM a permanent radio station. Ryan Brucass 8/8/11



that will be great radio station for the community, focusing on the local population as well as it will be a healthy competition to have more than one radio station. all the best mkfm. - Abs 8/8/11



Remembering how excited we all were when Horizon, our local station first went to air - at last a dedicated station broadcasting to MK from MK was a delight. Local traffic, entertainment and community notices. Alas, this was only short lived, sold to a London (LBC I believe) based company but still purporting to be local but most of the time broadcasting 'the network programme', so we had a national station again! MKFM - local news, local people. PLEASE OFCOM - WE WANT A LOCAL RADIO STATION – PERMANANTLY - Paul Edwards 7/8/11



MKFM.. Is So Flipping Amazing.. I Love It, Shame It Was Only On For A Month, Miss It Already, Can’t Wait For November To Listen To MKFM Again. MKFM Should Go Live Haven't Had An Amazing Local Radio Station Since Horizon. - Darcie Robinson 7/8/11



Come back soon. We need some credible choices for radio in and around Milton Keynes. Currently, Heart FM has a monopoly and has poor variety of music. We need CHOICE! - Colin Aitken 5/8/11



Fantastic station, there is a lack of decent radio stations in this area as there seems to be a bit a monopoly I was very disappointed when your trial finishes. Ofcom are mad if they don't grant you a license. Good luck - Jason Ward 3/8/11

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