Star Radio (Cambridge and Ely)
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English {{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Main other}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox radio station with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|showblankpositional=y| above | acma_bsl | affiliations | airdate | alt | anatel_id | area | branding | callsign | callsign_meaning | caption | child | city | class | coordinates | country | embed_header | embedded | erp | facility_id | format | former_callsigns | former_frequencies | former_names | founded | frequency | frequencies | haat | image | image_alt | image_size | image_upright | language | languages | last_airdate | licensee | licensing_authority | logo | logo_alt | logo_caption | logo_size | logo_upright | name | network | operator | owner | power | rds | repeater | repeaters | sister_stations | subchannels | translator | translators | webcast | website }} Star Radio was an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting on 100.7 MHz in Cambridge, 107.1 MHz in Ely, 107.3 MHz in Saffron Walden, and 107.9 MHz in Haverhill.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
It was originally launched as "Cambridge Café Radio". Later in 1998 it was relaunched as "Cambridge Red" and six months later as 107.9 The Eagle.
In 2001, UKRD rebranded the station again to Star 107.9, in line with the rebranding of their other stations.
In 2003, Star 107.1/5 in Ely and The Fens split frequencies. 107.5 in Wisbech became Fen Radio 107.5, and 107.1 in Ely became a relay of Star 107.9. Because of this, the station adjusted their name to 107 Star FM. The name was adjusted again in 2004 to Star 107. Star 107 was rebranded in August 2005 as 'Star Radio' coinciding with the rebrand of the other 'Star' network stations in the UKRD Group.
On 1 January 2017, the station was sold to Mid Anglia Media Ltd<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in 2019 the licence was transferred to Light Blue Media Cambridge.
In July 2020, the station moved its main frequency to 100.7 MHz from 107.9 MHz and at the same time substantially increased its transmission power whilst relocating its transmitter to the Arqiva Madingley site.
In November 2020, a new transmitter for Haverhill was switched on using the former 107.9 MHz frequency.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As of January 2021, the station was available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on DAB digital radio.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On 10 January 2025, it was announced that Bauer Media Audio UK had acquired the station, would cease local output, and rebrand it as a relay of Hits Radio. Star Radio officially ended on the evening of 3 March 2025 at 12 midnight. The last three songs played before the station's closure were "Star People" by George Michael, "Waiting for a Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl, and "Stars" by Simply Red.
However, a listener who recorded the final moments of the station reported that after these three tracks, "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone was played shortly after midnight, just before the signal cut to static. This song, released in 2024, aligns with the 2025 closure timeline.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The station rebranded to Hits Radio Cambridgeshire on the evening of 3 March 2025 at midnight, with Hattie Pearson welcoming in the new listeners.Template:CN
Listening figuresEdit
As of September 2024, the station had a weekly audience of 35,000 listeners according to RAJAR.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>