Hastings Rock Radio Back Online
Hastings Rock Radio returns for 2021 on Saturday, 1st May, for another 28-day broadcast. But this year will, once again, be rather different to those that have gone before.
Hastings Rock broadcast for the first time in 1993. Since then, they have returned most years, usually during May (broadcasting is restricted
to 28 days due to Ofcom regulations). Over the years they have built up a loyal following. They are a not-for-profit organisation, run and manned entirely by local volunteers. All the DJs and backroom staff are involved because they love the radio station – and music. As a result, the radio station has a unique flavour. They say: “Apart from playing some excellent rock music that you won’t hear anywhere else, we also help raise awareness for St. Michael’s Hospice in St. Leonards. We support local music by playing CDs and interviewing some of the many bands from the area who would not otherwise receive airplay. We have a show dedicated to local music every week.”
The station is normally on FM, but in 2020 Hastings Rock had to broadcast as an internet-only station for the first time ever due to the COVID 19 situation. They did the usual 28-day broadcast during May and a two-week broadcast in October to coincide with Hastings Week.
Shows will be online only again this year. You can expect to find the usual great programmes with a few new additions and a couple of specialist shows – with audience choices and input. Live programmes will commence at 6am on 1st May, with the Hastings Rock DJs broadcasting from their homes. They will be on air and online 24 hours a day until midnight on 28th May, playing their unique brand of classic and modern rock music, specialist shows, and a healthy dose of local music too. Listeners across the world can tune in via the Hastings Rock website, their Smart Speakers (Alexa etc), on internet radios or by using the Tune In app on mobile phones.
Hastings Rock chairman, Ralph Winser, says: “We’re really pleased to be able to continue with our usual 28-day broadcast in May … It’s been a real team effort to get this internet broadcast up and running once again, after initially planning for an FM broadcast. This will be our third internet-only broadcast, due to the COVID 19 restrictions, which mean we can’t use our central studio.
We wanted to get Hastings Rock on air to bring a bit of familiarity during the month of May to all of our loyal listeners, and hopefully provide a friendly voice and some great music to help people through these trying times.”
• Details and information about Hastings Rock 2021 can be found on their official website at: hastingsrock.co.uk or their Facebook page:
Hastings Rock FM
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