Editing Wire FM (section)

===Licence bid===
There was much discussion on Widnes and Runcorn's acceptance of the name 'Wire', however, the [[Radio Authority]] later indicated this was a key factor in awarding the licence. Application documents were submitted during May 1997 and the Radio Authority awarded the licence to Wire FM during November 1997.

Competing applications were :
*Warrington – Warrington FM (local consortium, supported by David Rodgers of [[Orchard FM]])
*Warrington – Radio Warrington (Warrington Collegiate Institute-led bid backed by [[The Wireless Group]])
*Halton – Fun FM (backed by [[The Bay (radio station)|The Bay]])

Following the licence award, problems with securing an antenna site caused a six-month delay in getting on-air. The original space secured on the High Warren tower operated by [[Mercury Communications]] was to another user. But Orange were in the process of securing planning permission for a new, higher tower on close by land owned by Warrington Golf Course. A deal was struck and Orange were able to offer the station the prime antenna location at the top of the tower.