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Weather<br />
Section 105 (B) and (C): Catering for tastes and interests/broadening choice<br />
Respondents to our market research showed a strong interest in local weather and local<br />
travel news. We will have user-friendly weather forecasts twice an hour that don’t just give a<br />
list of numbers and conditions but actually puts the weather in context – “that’s warmer than<br />
today…” or, “it’ll mean a frosty start in most areas.” The rural nature of much of the borough<br />
means that agriculture is still a factor and our 7am weather forecast will also include more<br />
detail about rainfall and other relevant information. <strong>Rother</strong>ham encompasses a variety of<br />
areas and landscapes, and at times of severe weather – snow in particular – we will<br />
encourage listeners to let us know what it’s like where they are and of any particular problems<br />
in any part of the area. We will of course provide a full service of school closures should the<br />
weather become really severe.<br />
Travel news<br />
Travel news will be similarly interactive. Compiled by our presenters using information from<br />
the police, local council and the Highways Agency, listeners will be invited to contribute if it’s<br />
safe and legal for them to do so. Due to the closeness of our Group’s Yorkshire stations,<br />
information about major travel news affecting the region, such as last autumn’s closure of the<br />
M1, can be shared quickly between <strong>Rother</strong> <strong>FM</strong>, Ridings <strong>FM</strong>, Trax <strong>FM</strong> and Dearne <strong>FM</strong>.<br />
“What’s Ons”<br />
“What’s Ons” also proved of great interest in our market research. These will be dealt with in<br />
several ways. Local charities and non-profit making groups will be able to send us details of<br />
their activities, which will be added to our website and featured in ad hoc mentions by<br />
presenters. We will also have a local “gig guide” each evening, highlighting entertainment<br />
events in the area and supporting local live music, drama and other activities. As with Trax<br />
<strong>FM</strong>, we will take a particular interest in the local music scene, and we will play tracks by local<br />
bands and artists as part of our gig guide where appropriate.<br />
Business and Industry<br />
“Business and finance” was the least popular news and information topic of all surveyed;<br />
however, more than a third of respondents expressed interest. We suspect that business<br />
news has a perception problem. Given the big interest in both “local news” and “local<br />
people”, we believe news of local business developments, told in an entertaining and relevant<br />
way, can be a popular and valuable part of <strong>Rother</strong> <strong>FM</strong>’s output. Our business headlines,<br />
three times a day at 8am, 1pm and 6pm, are part of our desire to be “<strong>Rother</strong>ham Proud”. We<br />
are keen to promote positive developments in the borough, while of course reflecting negative<br />
aspects too. <strong>Rother</strong>ham is going through similar times to both Doncaster and Barnsley, and<br />
both Trax <strong>FM</strong> and Dearne <strong>FM</strong> have given thorough coverage to the new developments taking<br />
in their towns – such as Doncaster’s Interchange development and the latest on the new<br />
airport at Finningley. <strong>Rother</strong> <strong>FM</strong> will adopt a similar approach.<br />
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