Media UK

Viking Radio

Viking Radio, now Viking FM, is the commercial radio station for East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Its licence was awarded in 1982 - as 'Humber Bridge Radio', a name which made it onto some IBA radio maps.

The station went on air, as Viking Radio, at 6.55am on 17th April 1984, on 102.7 FM and 258m (1161kHz) MW. The building was mostly, though not all, purpose-built, in the marina in Hull (opposite, at the time, an abattoir). While the studios were built, the company operated out of temporary offices. Original presenters were Dave Fewster, Steve King, Mark Allen, Dave Jamieson, Les Smith and Kerry Evans. The station was launched with a billboard campaign and a newspaper, which included a free Viking Radio sticker. The newspaper campaign also included a cartoon Viking, blowing into a large trumpet; after launch, this Viking was slightly amended (to carry a sword), and christened Eric. He even made it on-air, during Steve King's programme - 'Eric' was actually Steve King's voice played back at double speed.

At launch, the station covered 930,000 people (630,000 adults), broadcasting 'a mixture to suit everyone's taste' from 5.30am daily, and specialist shows in the evening including folk, jazz, country, and big band - including 'a nightly programme specially for young people'. Sport coverage was also a big part of the station's output. Ian Rufus was the station's first MD, but by launch the MD was Roger Brooks. Dave Golley was the first newsreader on-air.

Twenty-four hour broadcasting commenced in 1985, by which time presenters included Carl Kingston, Steve Tong and Dave Nixon.

By 1986, the station had begun splitting AM/FM frequencies for different programmes - becoming the first ever radio station to do so. On Sundays, Paul Burnett's 'Viking Gold' show was followed by, on FM, Tex Milne with a country show. On MW, Dave Gibbins presented rugby programming.

In Spring 1986 the IBA, as part of the Copenhagen II agreement, moved Viking Radio's FM frequency to 96.9FM. Unusually, BBC Radio Humberside had been using this frequency; they had to move to 95.9FM - so people going to bed with BBC Radio Humberside woke up to Viking Radio the next day.

By Summer 1986, the station trumpeted high audience figures - up 50% year on year, and the biggest increase for any commercial radio station that year. Its weekly reach stood at 36%. New signings included Paul Gambaccini, David Hamilton and deep-voiced Canadian Diana Luke, who moved from an 'agony aunt' within Steve King's programme to a presenter in her own right.

Winter 1986 saw Viking Radio's children's charity (now called 'For the Kids') giving away over £30,000 worth of toys to needy children.

1987 brought Tim Jibson and Martin Lee to the station, as well as Tim Finlay, Keith Skues, and Steve Redgrave. A weekly reach of 40% was now being posted by the station.

'Viking Radio' left the airwaves in 1988 - with the launch of a permanent new station, Viking Gold, on 1161MW, and Viking Radio being renamed Viking FM.