96.9 Viking FM

From Media UK's The Knowledge. Last update: 08:41, 22 Dec 2006 by James Piekos. Based on work by James Cridland, Joff Hopkins and Andrew Garner.

96.9 Viking FM began life in 1988 - taking the FM frequencies of Viking Radio, while on AM, listeners began hearing Viking Gold. The station continued to be the programming network hub, producing programmes heard throughout the Yorkshire Radio Network on Pennine FM and Hallam FM.

In 1990, the Yorkshire Radio Network was bought by the Metro Radio Group. Programme controllers at the time included Steve King, Roy Leonard, and Phil White.

In 1996, Emap purchased the Metro Radio Group, and Viking remained a strong part of the group. A tradition of growing talent began to be very apparent: Simon Logan went to present breakfast at Radio Aire, JK and Joel began in 1999 and went to Key 103 then BBC Radio 1. Simon Hirst took over, who then moved to Galaxy 105 and Hit 40 UK.

Following Simon Hirst's departure, breakfast was presented by Foxy & Tom (John Fox & Tom Rhys), who moved on to 2-Ten FM in Reading in July 2006. Breakfast is currently presented by Sam Heywood & Mark Somers.

Categories: Radio Stations