Media UK

96.4 BRMB

96.4 BRMB is the commercial radio station for Birmingham.

BRMB was the fourth commercial radio station to go on-air, following LBC, Capital Radio, and Glasgow's Radio Clyde. It launched on 261m (1151 kHz) MW, and 94.8 FM.

It launched on the 19th February 1974, in the middle of the 'three day week', a period where electricity was rationed to most people in the UK. This put BRMB off-air during its first day of broadcasting. Original presenters included Kevin Morrison and Ed Doolan, under the stewardship of programme controller John Russell. Original station engineers were Quentin Howard, Phil Dawson, and Dave Wood.

Past presenters include Les Ross, who joined from BBC Radio Birmingham in 1976, and stayed with the station until 2002, Brian Savin, Norma Scott, Stuart White, Brendan Kearney, Andy Hollins, Nicky Steele, Mike Hollis, Roger Day, Adrian Juste, Nick Meanwell, Nick Hennegan, Robin Valk, John Slater, Phil Holden, Mark Keen, Graham Torrington, Stephen Rhodes, Simon Davies, Deborah Kinch, and head of sport Tony Butler.

Comedian Jasper Carrott also contributed to the station in the late 1970s.

In 1979, BRMB's AM frequency changed slightly from 1151 kHz to 1152 kHz. This was not announced by the station, as it was a very minor change. The change to 96.4 FM was not utnil the mid 1980s.

From 1988, BRMB was part of Midlands Radio plc, which was bought by Capital Radio Group in 1993, who sold Radio Trent, Leicester Sound, and Mercia Sound to GWR Group.

In 1989, BRMB split, to form Xtra AM and BRMB FM.