About Us
Energy FM is the local radio station for the Isle of Man, providing music and local news for a family audience.
The team are a friendly bunch, who are very active in the Manx community and are only too happy to provide listeners with entertaining show content and a great selection of music. "Wall to wall" music radio (or jukebox radio as it has been labelled) is of no interest to the majority, that's why apple have pocketed a fortune with the iPod..wall to wall music of your choice.
Energy FM is licensed under the Broadcasting Act of Tynwald 1990.
Energy FM started broadcasting on 27th July 2001 and was originally licensed for two years to provide a service aimed at the under 35's playing a mixture of chart and dance music.
When the licence was awarded in 2003, the station format was redesigned to appeal to a more mainstream audience with the inclusion of news, sport and local action programming. The music policy was also changed to focus on a 'hits' format, but still retaining some elements of special programming outside peak hours.
Every local commercial radio station in the UK now has to provide listeners with their Public File - detailing the output of the station in terms of music, local news, live broadcast hours etc. OFCOM - the media regulator - will be checking the output of UK station's from time to time to ensure all elements of the Public File are being adhered to.
Energy FM is not licensed by Ofcom but we are regulated by the Isle of Man Government Communications Commission. We feel it may be useful that we also provide the information to the Manx public, although this is not a requirement in the Isle of Man.
Local News
Providing a news service seven days a week is a key part of the role that Energy FM plays in Isle of Man. We are also able to provide national and world news through IRN & Sky News. You can listen to news bulletins with local content on Energy FM at the following times:
Weekdays: 0700; 0730; 0800; 0830; 0900; 1000; 1100; 1200; 1300; 1400; 1500; 1600; 1700; 1730; 1800 with summaries at 2000 & 2200
Saturday: 0800; 0830; 0900; 1000; 1100; 1200; 1230;1300 with summaries at 1500 & 1700
Sunday: Our news team are on a rota duty and will provide live local news across the weekend in the event of breaking news.
On the hour, every hour, at other times we broadcast national and world news direct from the Sky News Centre.
Our news team currently consists of Amy Mulhern and Sian Cowper . They can be contacted on any news issue, simply clicking here. You can read our latest local stories by clicking here.
Live and Local Programming
Energy FM is dedicated to providing it's listeners the very best local radio. It is sometimes necessary to 'automate' programmes, so that our team can concentrate on producing local content.
On the average weekday we provide live and local presenter led programming from 6am until 12pm. We have a policy that all programmes should be presented live. Pre-recorded radio is of little value to the listeners, and with this in mind we only automate in off peak hours, such as overnight and during specially pre-record programmes that require pre-transmission production.
On Saturdays we are live and local from 7am until 1am.
On Sundays we are live and local from 7am - 11pm, with the 4pm to 7pm being presented live from London in the form of the Big Top 40 Chart Show. This is a national networked programme.
Programme Schedule
You can see the latest programme schedule for Energy FM by clicking here.
Outside Broadcasts
Energy FM believes that getting out of the studios and in to the community is what builds a closer relationship with our valued listeners. We aim to be live at even more events throughout 2010 and have invested in a network of broadcast ISDN lines and radio links to allow us to broadcast from virtually anywhere!
In 2009 Energy FM provided live coverage of the IOM Golf Championships, Motorcycle racing, Rallying, Charity events, The Parish & End to end walks, Isle of Man Railway's Santa Trains & The Ramsey Lantern Parade and many other product launches for high profile local businessess.
Music
Energy FM plays a wide selection of songs from the sixties through to the present. The core of our output is music derived from the 80's 90's and Now but you'll also hear iconic artists and songs from the past 40 years at various times.
Energy FM in the Community
A key element of Energy FM is being part of the community in the Isle of Man. We are involved in a number of charity initiatives, and will provide free announcements on local events in our What's On feature. This is broadcast during the daytime and weekends.
'Localness' Guidelines from OFCOM
The UK media regulator OFCOM has details of what it considers is - and is not - true local content. You can see these guidelines by clicking here. Energy FM is not bound by these guidelines, but we endeavour to make sure our output is relevant and appealing to the local audience. We try, where practical, to follow these guidelines as best practice.
Transmission
Energy FM only transmits on VHF. We provide the programme service to transmitters licensed and nominally owned by the Department of Home Affairs. Energy Radio is responsible for the operation and maintenance of these transmitters.
All frequencies are licence by Ofcom under the Wireless Telegraphy Act. This licence is held by the Department of Home Affairs on our behalf.
| Frequency | Location | Power | Pol | Direction of max ERP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98.6 MHz | Carnane | 2kW | M | 315º |
| 91.2 MHz | Snaefell | 1.2kW | M | 30º |
| 93.4 MHz | Jurby | 2.3kW | M | 150º |
| 98.4 MHz | Ramsey | 30w | M | 150º |
| 105.2 MHz | Ballasaig | 30w | V | 170º & 310º |
| 102.4 MHz | Beary Peark | 30w | M | 280º |
| 105.2 MHz | Port Erin | 50w | V | omniº |
|
Main transmitters are in BOLD - Polarisation: M=Mixed (Horizontal & Vertical) V= Vertical |
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All of our transmissions are in stereo using the GE Zenith Pilot Tone system. Ofcom's Technical parameters can be found here. Energy FM's transmissions must comply with the Engineering code which can be found here.
Making A Complaint
If you would like to make a complaint about any issue regarding Energy FM, please contact The Chief Executive, in the first instance by telephone or by putting your complaint writing.
If you are still not satisfied, you can contact The Communications Commission, the Isle of Man Regulator of the Broadcasting Act. 01624 677022.
Click here for a copy of our Competition Rules.
