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New Uist radio station wins broadcasting licence            1/6/12

A new community radio station for the Uists has been awarded a licence to start broadcasting.

An Rèidio (Gaelic for The Radio) will cover local news, events and information from Berneray to Eriskay and seeks to fill the gap neglected by Radio nan Gaidheal, Radio Scotland and Isles FM.

Launching on the internet first would allow volunteer presenters to build up experience before the radio station goes on air as planned in Autumn next year.

Around 60 volunteers would help run the station which hopes to win Euro funding for a station manager role.

The not-for-profit station has received a community radio licence which restricts the level of advertising it can get and makes it reliant on public funding.

An Rèidio would be accountable to the local community with membership of its operator, Uist Radio Ltd, open to all residents.  It will hold an annual meeting as well as 'meet the station' sessions in community halls from Berneray in North Uist to Eriskay in South Uist,  and promises to listen to local feedback.

Two masts at either end of the Uist chain of island will transmit the station between North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula and South Uist.  An Rèidio intends to broadcast about 20% in Gaelic during daytime as well as a Gaelic language learning slot.

Its proposed schedule is for a live morning breakfast programme with a news slot. Mid-morning it would have a music and talk show, with a noon news bulletin, which would be repeated in the afternoon.

A two-hour evening drivetime show from 5pm would have an emphasis on local content mixed with adult contemporary music.late evening programmes would be general music and request shows aimed at 12-25 year-olds.  

Sundays would have church services and religious shows as well as a local sports update slot.

Volunteers would cover community events and meetings and also provide a platform for landowner Storas Uibhist, Lews Castle College and local bodies.