Big City Radio

89.1FM Big City Radio
Technical information
Transmitter coordinates
52°30′05″N 1°53′18″W / 52.5013°N 1.8882°W / 52.5013; -1.8882

Big City Radio (formerly Aston FM) is a British community radio station based in Aston, Birmingham. The station, owned and operated by Murfin Music International, broadcasts from Aston and surrounding areas, on DAB+ and online via the station's website and mobile apps.

The station launched on 1 November 2005 as Aston FM, before rebranding as Big City four years later.

In November 2017 Big City Radio changed its mainstream output from classic contemporary music to 'Urban' and 'Specialised' programming.

In September 2022, the station began to tease a relaunch of the former Birmingham ILR brand BRMB on its website[1] and social media.[2] On 17 August 2023, it was announced that the UK's media regulator, Ofcom, had given Big City Radio approval to rebrand as BRMB. The station, which would relaunch on 4 September 2023 at 11.52am, was to broadcast on Big City Radio's 89.1FM frequency, as well as on DAB in Birmingham, while Big City Radio continued as an online station. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, was scheduled to take part in BRMB's first show following its relaunch.[3][4]

On 20 March 2024, it was reported that Ofcom had fined Big City Radio £1,200 after finding it in breach of its Kay Commitments for not broadcasting enough local content, including news, travel, weather, community information and sport. The findings related to the pre-BRMB station, and followed an investigation after Ofcom received a complaint about Big City Radio's output.[5]

Notable presenters

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Notable past presenters at the station include long-established West Midlands radio personality Les Ross who hosted Big City's breakfast show for four months from December 2009.[6] He later returned to present a Sunday afternoon show for the station.

References

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  1. ^ "Big City Radio". 22 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022. Something Big Is Coming Back To Birmingham !!!!!!!!
  2. ^ "Facebook". Facebook. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022. Something BIG Is Coming Back To Birmingham From 12th November the Re-Launch Of BRMB p!!!!!!!!
  3. ^ Collins, Steve (17 August 2023). "BRMB name returns to Birmingham after 10 years away". Radio Today. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  4. ^ Corser, John (17 August 2023). "Radio station BRMB being brought back to life with return to airwaves". Express & Star. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  5. ^ Martin, Roy (20 March 2024). "Big City Radio fined by Ofcom for failing to meet Key Commitments". Radio Today. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  6. ^ Young, Graham (7 December 2009). "Legendary DJ Les Ross MBE comes out of retirement for third time". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
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