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Radio 4
by Seven17
I have long been an avid listener of radio 4 and while I do normally enjoy their programming such as comedy, current affairs and their interview programmes, I do often find that some of their programmes are a bit "posh" or "upper class" for my liking. Take the book reviews, poetry readings etc, these are all things ... that make me want to tune out instead.
Most of the programmes on Radio 4 are quite entertaining but i can't stand the endless drivel that spews out of programmes such as The Archers or the drama programmes they broadcast. They do have great voice actors don't get me wrong, and now ex eastenders actress Charlie Brooks is doing a bit for one of the drama shows, but to me they really don't grip me or keep me on a cliff edge at the end of an episode. The Archers just makes me switch off, and therefore, i switch off my radio.
Their comedy is excellent however, and i really do enjoy Just a minute, The now show, and even Clive Anderson's interviews can be a bit quirky at times. There was a debate the other day about how comedy on Radio 4 is changing and more people are finding the new comedy programmes un-funny. I disagree, i feel like these new programmes are just getting their first break and that yet more great things are to come of this. I will happily give them a change and let them try to make me laugh because this is how many of the great comedy show's on Radio 4 started.
Occasionally the odd joke can step out of line, particularly on the now show where rather than getting a laugh from the audience, there is a loud "oooh" instead. Often from an offensive or directly insulting joke to something or someone. Often this is a political figure, and political humour can be a grey area, since you don't know if the audience likes or dislikes that person. Taking the mick out of Ed Milliband should also be balanced with taking the mick out of David Cameron and i don't feel that's always the case with comedy shows that include political humour.
Some of the more speciality shows such as the shipping forecast and prayer for the day do provide useful information and guidance (quite literally in both cases) but because they are speciality shows they are on both very early in the morning and very late at night.
Overall Radio 4 is a great station for people sick of listening to the rubbish put out by stations like Capital, and they do provide an intelligent alternative with many shows for a wide variety of people. Just listen to Radio 4 for a day and see if you like it. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but many of the comedy show's tend to cater for everyone. It's free, so give it a go.
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Island 104.7 FM
by jrh2
Island FM is the trusted local radio station for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, this includes Herm, Sark, Alderney and Guernsey itself. I have always listened to this radio station as do my family and rarely listen to any other stations.
The station was first launched in October 1992 and to this day is the only commercial radio ... station in the Bailiwick. Although the radio station is only able to be accessed in the Bailiwick of Guernsey it can be listened to anywhere in the world live online on their website islandfm.com.
The station is known for its "no repeat 9 to 5" and on the odd occasion they do repeat a song between those times the first person to phone up and inform them of this wins £100. This is only on weekdays and excludes bank holidays. I have noticed songs being repeated occasionally but never phoned in.
The "Breakfast Show" is my favourite radio programme and is on weekdays from 6am to 10am. During the breakfast show there are regular competitions and segments:
What's the Word is on around half seven each weekday morning and people text in to guess the missing word or answer of a question and one correct guess can win a small prize which varies.
The Mystery Voice competition happens twice a day, 8:50am and 9:50am. A small clip of a voice is played and they will phone up one person who has registered to try and give the correct celebrity name each time. This is generally quite hard! When the person is identified the caller gets a cash prize which is built up over time. This can go on for months and currently the money is to over £300.
At 9am its "The Rewind". A few songs are played from the same year and listeners can text in to guess the year.
At every hour the national and local news are on with the local news being at every half hour as well. Shortly after is the weather and travel updates which includes the roads, airport and harbour. Listeners often text in to mention any areas of bad traffic for whatever reasons as they like to help others who are out and about.
My favorite part of the Breakfast Show is the showbiz news which is at 7:45 and 8:45 each morning, it is Also on later in the day during "The Big Drive Home". It can be about what celebrities are getting up to, recent tv programmes, films or sometimes unique news stories.
On Fridays there is a Free Flight Friday competition where with the correct answer to a question one listener can win a pair of flights to anywhere on the Aurigny network. If it isn't won it goes into the next week and builds up.
On Saturday is a special Saturday Breakfast Show, 6am - 10am, which includes a Bride of the Week segment. Brides can be nominated by friends and family and the one most nominations is surprised on air and given a prize, currently a months free membership at a local hotel spa.
At 10am it changes to the daytime show until 2pm weekdays, 12pm Saturdays. This includes a quiz during the morning to win a meal at a local restaurant although at this time it is mainly just music.
From 2pm to 6pm weekdays is the Big Drive Home. This includes travel information, showbiz news and good music and chat to help pass the time when stuck in traffic.
On Saturdays from 10am is Kick up the Eighties which has classic eighties music until Sports Saturday at 2pm. This includes information on island sports and keeps you up to date with the scores. Often a presenter is live at an event. During the afternoon there is also a phrase of the week which is said in Patoix (Guernsey French, which a lot of people on the island used to speak but it has died out and through schools they are trying to bring it back.)
From 6pm each evening is the Evening Show and has various hosts up to midnight. At that time the music is played straight through the night until the Breakfast Show the following morning.
On Sundays it is a relaxing day of music including easy like a Sunday morning with easy to listen to songs and the Sunday show.
I would recommend Island FM as it is a great local radio station that listens to their listeners and help out where they can.
Other features include the Birthday Corner where anyone who has had a birthday message sent in during the week gets put into the draw for a voucher.
In 2001 Island FM set up their own charity Help a Guernsey Child which helps local children. They are regularly fundraising with Big Kids Day dedicated to this each year. As an island all the schools and local businesses have various fundraising ideas to get as much money as possible. Just today the charity has joined the just giving website.
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Radio 2
by Joselena
I listen to Radio 2 every day Monday - Friday - its brilliant. Chris Evans starts me off with his fab breakfast show and he's the best radio presenter ever! I walk the kids to school and when I get back I have half an hour left of Chris before Ken Bruce comes on. I look forward to pop master and I like it when a celebrity does their ... own record choices. I like the banter that goes on with Ken and his team and he's a great presenter.
Then it's Jeremy Vine. I love this show. I have texted and emailed my comments a number of times but they've never been mentioned!
Jeremy Vine's show covers stories that are happening today and people ring in to debate and voice their opinions. It's sometimes very sad and I have shed a few tears listening to the show.
Then at 2pm it's Steve Wright - Steve and his team are very funny - I love the factoids and when they have guests on. They once had Take That presenting with them and it was brilliant and very funny. I hate it when they are on holiday and Chris Tarrant stands in. Don't like Chris Tarrant on the radio.
Then at 5pm it's Drive Time with Simon Mayo. BRILLIANT! I love the confession at 545 - sometimes the stories have been very very funny.
I normally switch off at 7pm as it's not really my cup of tea then but now Jamie Cullen has a show which is brilliant and I've sometimes caught the Jo Whiley show and she's very good too.
I do miss Terry Wogan but his shows on a Sunday are very good and he is the best presenter ever (apart from Chris Evans of course!)
Radio 2 is the best radio station for me.
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