OUR HISTORY
From our early days as a short-term licence radio station through to today’s success story, here’s a potted history of Erewash Sound and the Academy
Late 2004
Erewash Sound is created and launched by a team of experienced volunteers
Summer 2005
The radio station makes its first FM broadcast in Summer 2005 on a short-term 28 day licence from central Ilkeston
2005
Plans are made to apply for a full-time 5-year licence, supported by the ‘Back The Bid’ campaign to gather public support and raise awareness.
January 2007
24 hour internet-only transmissions commence
April 2008
A licence application is submitted and a full-time licence is granted by the broadcast regulator, OFCOM
2008-2010
The hard work begins to bring the station to life on FM, ready to launch in March 2010
March 2010
Erewash Sound launches on 96.8FM on Saturday 6th March at 9:00am from studios at Bennerley Business & Enterprise College in Cotmanhay, coinciding with a special launch party at Ilkeston Co-op with special guest – Ilkeston born celebrity Robert Lindsay
January 2011
Erewash Sound moves into new purpose-built studios at the Media Center on the grounds of Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy
Summer 2011
With more studio and meeting room space now available, Erewash Sound begins delivering its first formal presenter training sessions
November 2014
Erewash Sound is awarded another five year licence by Ofcom to continue broadcasting on FM
March 2015
Erewash Sound celebrates the fifth anniversary of its FM service
January 2016
The Erewash Sound Academy delivers its first paid-for training
July 2016
Erewash Sound delivers training for young people with the Raising Aspirations organisation
July 2017
The Erewash Sound Academy becomes an Approved NCFE Centre
August 2017
Two Erewash Sound presenters – both former Academy students – are shortlisted for the Community Radio Awards with one of the nominees picking up two awards at the ceremony in September 2017
July 2018
Presenter training courses delivered for Year 5 students at Chaucer Junior School and Year 6 students at Cotmanhay Junior School
September 2018
Erewash Sound wins six awards at the 2018 Community Radio Awards. All the winners are former Erewash Sound Academy students
March 2019
Our Studio in a Box course is delivered to Year 6 pupils at Cotmanhay Junior School
September 2019
The broadcast regulator OFCOM grants a second FM frequency to Erewash Sound to better serve the borough
SME News announces Erewash Sound as the ‘Best Local Commercial Radio Station in the East Midlands’
SIX Community Radio Awards nominations are received
October 2019
Two presenters, former Academy students, win gold and bronze at the Community Radio Awards
January 2020
Erewash Sound is named as Local Commercial Radio Station of the Year in the Corporate Livewire Innovation and Excellence Awards
March 2020
Erewash Sound celebrates 10 years of broadcasting on FM
Broadcast regulator OFCOM grants a further five year licence to March 2025
October 2020
A second, more powerful transmitter is turned on covering Long Eaton, the south and south-west of the borough on 103.5FM
November/December 2020
Two nominations at the 2020 Community Radio Awards result in a bronze for a former Academy student
July/August 2021
Erewash Sound is nominated for a Media Innovator Award by Corporate Vision Magazine, and selected as a potential nominee in the SME News Northern Enterprise Awards
September 2021
The Erewash Sound Academy launches a new one-day podcast training course
