Fix Radio Explained

Fix Radio
Country:UK
Area:United Kingdom
Frequency:DAB

11A Sound Digital

Branding:The Builders Station
Languages:English
Format:Vocational radio
Webcast:https://www.fixradio.co.uk/radioplayer/

Fix Radio is a national digital radio station in the United Kingdom with associated websites, Facebook, YouTube and podcast channels. It has previously been the silver award winner of the 2023 UK Audio and Radio Industry Awards for best station sound. It broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio across the UK as well as online and mobile.

Background

Fix Radio was founded by its current (as of 2023) CEO, Louis Timpany, to provide music, news and entertainment aimed at UK tradespeople.[1] It went on-air at 7am on 26 April 2017 with the tagline "We're Nailing It!" and special guest Charlie Mullins. The first song played was Starship's "We Built This City".[2] [3] [4] [5] It specialises in trade focused content with dedicated painting and decorating, heating and plumbing, carpentry, plastering, and electrical shows.

Although it broadcasts 24 hours a day, only the hours of 7am to 4pm are produced "as live".[6]

It was initially launched on DAB digital radio in London operating out of the Spectrum Radio building in Battersea.

2018 saw its first major expansion and the creation of Fix Media after a takeover of the Facebook group "Tradesman Banter," accompanied by a move to new studios in Angel, Islington.[7]

Broadcasts expanded to cover Manchester on 14 January 2019 at 7am on the SSDAB minimux.[8]

Fix Radio claims the most detailed weather forecasts specifically aimed at tradespeople working outdoors, and no repeat of music within a 48-hour period.

Broadcasting Nationwide

In March 2022 it was announced that the station would start broadcasting nationwide by joining Sound Digital's national DAB digital radio multiplex after securing a national broadcasting licence and £950,000 of crowdfunding. It launched nationally on 3 May 2022 and moved to new headquarters at the Vox studios in Vauxhall.[9] [10] [11] [12]

On 19 May 2023, Fix Radio confirmed it had signed a deal with TradePoint to sponsor the station's breakfast show, The Bald Builders Breakfast Show.[13]

In November 2023, Louis Timpany, the founder and CEO of Fix Radio, won Creative Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in London.[14]

On 7 December 2023, Fix Radio launched a poll to ask listeners if they wanted the station to play Christmas hits after its breakfast presenters had an on air discussion about whether it was too early for Christmas songs. The poll will run until 15 December, with the playlist from 18 December determined by its outcome.[15]

Notable Presenters

Notable Former Presenters

Awards

YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
2023Ultimate Builders PortalooLoo of the Year of AwardBuilding and Construction[16]
2023The Bald Builders BreakfastAudio and Radio Industry AwardsBest New Radio Show[17]
2023The Heating and Plumbing ShowAudio and Radio Industry AwardsBest New Radio Show
2023Devaweb & Fix RadioAudio and Radio Industry AwardsBest Station Sound[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Moore . Barry . 2017-04-26 . A radio station for tradespeople launches – Digital Radio UK . 2023-05-07 . en-GB.
  2. Web site: 2017-04-27 . Charlie Mullins helps launch Fix Radio . 2023-05-07 . www.hvpmag.co.uk . en.
  3. News: Hepworth . David . 2017-05-13 . This week's best radio: Britain's builders get a new station . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-07 . 0261-3077.
  4. Web site: Sherwin . Adam . 2017-05-01 . It's a Fix: New radio station for builders and plumbers launches . 2023-05-07 . inews.co.uk . en.
  5. Web site: How Fix Radio hopes to build an audience of tradespeople . 2023-05-07 . NBS . en.
  6. Web site: Public File . 2023-05-07 . Fix Radio . en.
  7. Web site: 2018-06-18 . Fix Radio expands and launches Fix Media . 2023-05-07 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2019-01-07 . London's Fix Radio extends service to Manchester . 2023-05-07 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  9. Web site: 2022-03-09 . Fix Radio is going national on DAB digital radio via SDL . 2023-05-07 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  10. Web site: Frost . Maisha . 2022-08-17 . Fix Radio goes national as construction workers voice approval . 2023-05-07 . Express.co.uk . en.
  11. Web site: 2022-05-04 . Fix Radio turns on national coverage on DAB digital radio . 2023-05-07 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  12. News: Correspondent . Jake Kanter, Media . Graduate's radio station fixes it for bored builders . . en . 2023-05-07 . 0140-0460.
  13. Web site: Martin . Roy . The Bald Builders Breakfast Show gets new sponsor on Fix Radio . Radio Today . 19 May 2023 . 19 May 2023.
  14. Web site: Fix Radio founder and CEO Louis Timpany wins Creative Entrepreneur of the Year award . Radio Today . 22 November 2023 . 23 November 2023.
  15. Web site: Steve . Collins . Fix Radio asks builders to vote if Christmas songs should be cancelled . Radio Today . 7 December 2023 . 7 December 2023.
  16. Web site: Bald Builders Breakfast wins award for pimped portaloo . 2023-05-07 . Fix Radio . en.
  17. Web site: 2023-03-30 . Nominees and new location announced for ARIAS 2023 . 2023-05-07 . RadioToday . en-GB.
  18. Web site: ARIAS 2023 Winners . 2023-05-07 . Radio Academy.