# Radio Essex

Radio Essex is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Essex, England via DAB and Mid and South Essex via FM, from studios in The Icon Building on Southend seafront, owned by the Adventure Radio Group.
As of September 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 64,000, according to RAJAR.

## History

The station until 2015, consisted of two separate stations: Chelmsford Radio and Southend Radio.

### Chelmer

Chelmer FM began broadcasting on 107.7 FM in 1998, under the ownership of Mid Essex Radio Ltd. The station was re-branded twice, first in 2002 by the Tindle Radio Group as Dream 107.7 (in line with Dream 100, also owned by Tindle Radio), then again in 2009 by Adventure Radio as Chelmsford Radio.

### Southend Radio

Southend Radio began broadcasting on 105.1 FM in 2008. The station was awarded its licence to broadcast in October 2005, beating three rival bids. Southend Radio began broadcasting on 28 March 2008 after a month of test transmissions.
The station simulcasted all of its programmes with its sister station Chelmsford Radio and Radio Essex on DAB digital radio across Essex. Some programmes were also simulcast with other radio stations owned by the Adventure Radio Group. The output was made to 'sound' local by using jingles relevant to the platform that is being listened to.
The 'Essex Action' feature was a community service designed to help local groups and charities with much needed publicity and also with appeals for volunteers. The service was coordinated by the Southend Association of Volunteers (SAVS) with their counterparts across the county contributing items for broadcast.
Southend Radio was broadcast on 105.1 MHz from a transmitter located at the top of Maitland House in Southend High Street. The transmitter also broadcasts "Heart Essex". The signal on 105.1 could be heard right across Southend-on-Sea and most of south east Essex. The signal could also be heard as far away as Clacton, Maldon and also North Kent & Medway.
On 6 June 2013, Southend Radio and sister station Chelmsford Radio launched on DAB under the singular service Radio Essex. The original DAB only Radio Essex was broadcast on the Essex DAB mux and could be heard in many places across the county where Southend Radio couldn't, including Harlow, Colchester, and Sudbury (Suffolk).
Notable presenters on Southend Radio include Tracie Young and Daryl Denham.

### Merger

The two radio stations began sharing programming from 2009. On 6 June 2013 the stations launched on DAB under the singular service Radio Essex. In February, 2015 it was announced that Southend Radio, along with Chelmsford Radio and Radio Essex, would be relaunched as one single station known as Radio Essex. On 23 March 2015 all three stations merged and relaunched as Radio Essex on 105.1 FM, 107.7 FM, and on DAB. From August 2017, Radio Essex flipped format from AC to a Top 40 hit music format.

## Programming

All programming on Radio Essex is broadcast from its studios in The Icon Building on Southend seafront, which also at times provides programming for other stations owned by Adventure Radio.
The station broadcasts local news bulletins from 6am to 7pm on weekdays, and between 8am and midday at weekends.
Travel news is broadcast between 6am and 7pm on weekdays. There are also travel bulletins at the weekend.

## Presenters

Radio Essex has a diverse line up on the station, offering unique features throughout the day.
Its current presenter line-up includes: Martin Day, Chris Brooks, Ross & John, Jack Burke, Joe Kinch, Lauren Underwood, Conor Knight and Mikey Faulkner.
Some presenters also host multiple show's on the station, such as Weekend Anthems and The UK Hot 40.
During day to day programming there are points where the usual format is switched for a feature, such as the Ten at Ten and Hot 7 at 7.

## Technical

Radio Essex broadcasts to Southend-on-Sea on 105.1 MHz from a transmitter located at the top of Maitland House in Southend High Street.
In Chelmsford and Mid Essex, Radio Essex can be received on 107.7 MHz. This is broadcast from a mobile phone mast at Church Green in the village Danbury.

### Analogue (FM)

| Transmitter Site | Frequency | Power | RDS Name | PI Code | Area | County |
| Maitland House | 105.1 MHz | 500W | Radio_SX | C3A6 | Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, Rayleigh, & Canvey Island | Essex |
| Danbury (Church Green) | 107.7 MHz | 390W | Radio_SX | C3A6 | Chelmsford, Maldon, & South Woodham Ferrers | Essex |

### Digital (DAB)

| Multiplex Name | Bitrate | Short Label | Long Label | SID |
| NOW Essex | 112kbit/s | RadEssex | Radio Essex | C3D0 |