Better Music Mix (Essex FM)

Member Name: psipple

Product:	Essex FM
Date:	13/02/01 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Local, lively breakfast show

Disadvantages: Less local output than last year

Essex FM is the commercial station for the county, based in Sunny Southend-on-Sea. The usual mix of contemporary music with a smattering of songs from the last 20 years, plus local news, commercials, sport and timechecks.

Essex FM started life as Essex Radio back in 1981, and last year was acquired by GWR, the largest radio group in the UK. Changes by GWR have included a reduction in the number of hours of locally produced programmes, and the departure of some familiar voices, John Leech, the Soul and Dance jock, Roger Buxton, the sports presenter, Drivetime's Paul Lovett, plus the team from sister station, Breeze. The strapline "the hottest hits" was replaced for "a better music mix" inkeeping with GWR's standard formula.

The most popular show is the breakfast show, presented by Martin Day (as featured on BBC TV's Lakesiders a few years back), with sidekick Sue, and Travel girl Sarah. from 6 till 10, the show features local news and sport, travel four times an hour, plus comment, houmour and calls from listeners to spice up the show.

Other names on the station include James Bassam, Chris Brookes and the networked late show with Graham Torrington.

Available on 96.3 in South Essex, 102.6 in North Essex, and 97.5 in Southend-on-Sea.

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