Editing Silk Radio

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Cheshire's Silk Radio 2023.png
| logo_size = 200px
| name = Cheshire's Silk Radio
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1998|05|26|df=yes}}
| former_names = Silk FM <br> Cheshire's Silk 106.9
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 106.9 MHz<br />[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 7D ([[Crewe]] and [[Nantwich]]) <br> 9A ([[Congleton]] and [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]])
| rds = SILK1069
| city = [[Macclesfield]]
| area = [[Cheshire East|East Cheshire]]
| format = [[Adult contemporary|AC]]
| coordinates = {{coord|53.2061|-2.1007|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| owner = Dee Radio Group
| sister_stations = [[Dee Radio|Chester's Dee Radio]]
| website = [http://www.silk1069.com/ Silk Radio]
}}

'''Cheshire's Silk Radio''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] serving [[Macclesfield]] and parts of [[Cheshire East|East Cheshire]], owned and operated by neighbouring station [[Dee 106.3|Chester's Dee Radio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4835|title="Radio Today" article: Silk FM sold to Dee 106.3|date=2009-06-11|publisher=Radio Today|accessdate=2009-10-03|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723234449/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4835|archivedate=2009-07-23}}</ref>

It broadcasts a mix of current and classic hits alongside local news and sport.

As of March 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 7,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=RAJAR }}</ref>

== History ==
Silk FM launched on 25 May 1998 with special guest [[Sammy McIlroy]], then manager of [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]] Football Club. Past presenters have included Nick Wright, Jeff Cooper, Guy Morris, Paul Allen and Trevor Thomas.

The station was previously owned by [[The Local Radio Company]] before being sold to the owners of Dee 106.3 in June 2009. In January 2017 the station moved into a new studio complex at Adelaide House, Adelaide Street in Macclesfield.

In November 2012, the station was granted a significant transmitter power increase, partly to combat co-channel interference from the [[Heart North and Mid Wales]] transmitter at the [[Moel-y-Parc transmitting station]], also broadcasting on 106.9&nbsp;MHz FM. The transmitter site at [[Sutton Common BT Tower]] offers a line of sight across the [[Cheshire Plain|Cheshire plain]], meaning the signal can be heard into Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

On 25 May 2023, the station celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching on DAB on the [[South Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Cheshire]] Multiplex. With the transmitter being located on the roof of [[South Cheshire College]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins |first=Steve |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/05/cheshires-silk-radio-celebrates-25-years-on-air-with-dab-launch/ |title=Cheshire’s Silk Radio celebrates 25 years on-air with DAB launch |publisher=Radio Today |date=25 May 2023 |accessdate=25 May 2023}}</ref>

==Community==
The station awards the title School of the Week to schools within its broadcast area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/education-crewe/crewe-education-news/2008/12/10/pupils-raise-voices-and-cash-96135-22440258/|title=Pupils raise voices – and cash|date=10 December 2008|publisher=Crewe Chronicle|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Perhaps the most important awards it gives are the "Local Hero awards" which have been awarded since the stations inception.<ref name=public>{{cite web|url=http://www.silk1069.com/public_file.html|title=Public File|publisher=Silk FM|accessdate=2010-12-12}}</ref>

The annual [[Cheshire Show]] is one of the highlights in the Silk calendar, of which the station offers extensive coverage.<ref name=public />

==Awards==
In 2008, having been short-listed for the award in the previous year, Silk won Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000) at the [[Sony Radio Awards]].<ref name="howdofruitful">{{cite web|url=http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/fruitful-night-for-north-west-stations-at-sony%92s-200805142574/|title=Fruitful night for North West stations at Sony's|date=14 May 2008|publisher=how-do.co.uk|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> It was again short-listed for the 2009 award.<ref name=howdo>{{cite web|url=http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/silk-fm-gets-another-award-200811264115/|title=Silk FM gets another award|date=26 November 2008 |publisher=how-do.co.uk|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref>

In 2006, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioacademy.org.uk/record.jsp?ID=39&type=optionalPage|title=Nations & Regions Awards 2007|publisher=The Radio Academy |accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> and 2008, Silk was named [[Radio Academy]] North West Station of the Year.<ref name=howdo/>

==Programming==
Some of Silk Radio's programming is produced and broadcast from its [[Macclesfield]] studios. Live programming airs from 6am-7pm on weekdays, 8am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-8pm on Sundays. Other output is automated or networked from Riverside Innovation Centre in [[Chester]] - Chester's Dee Radio.<ref name="Silk 106.9 public file">[http://www.silk1069.com/public-file/ Silk 106.9 public file]</ref>

Silk Radio broadcasts hourly local, and national news bulletins from [[Radio News Hub]].

The station also airs weekly sports programming and Saturday afternoons, including regular coverage of [[Macclesfield FC]] and [[Congleton Town F.C.|Congleton Town]].

==Current Presenters==
Andy Clewes - Weekday Breakfast

Daz Antrobus - Afternoon Show

Sam Walton - Saturday Daytime Show

Mike Peters - Weekend Breakfast

Dave Phillips - Sunday Brunch

Mike Wain - Silk Sport

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.silk1069.com/ Silk Radio Official Website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Silk FM}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]