SA Radio Live Press Release

Live and Local Radio Is Returning To Swansea

‘SA Radio Live’ will launch at 7am on Monday 30th September, a date associated with Wales' first local commercial radio station.

In 2020, the Swansea Sound name was lost when it became part of a commercial radio network. A petition signed by almost 4000 listeners failed to prevent the change and earlier this year, its sister station The Wave was also rebranded. These changes meant the loss of both stations’ local identities after 46 and 29 years respectively.

To commemorate what would have been 50 years of local radio in the city, some of the team behind Swansea Sound will launch a new radio station called SA Radio Live at 7am on Monday 30th September. The station will broadcast live and local programmes from studios in Tircoed Village which has been the home of community station Radio Tircoed since 2007.

Swansea born commercial and BBC radio veteran Shaun Tilley will be Station and Programme Director of SA Radio Live. Shaun will also host the weekday Breakfast Show as he did when The Wave launched in 1995. “If ever there was a city that needs truly local radio it is Swansea. I have been fortunate to work all over the UK in my career but this is my town, I was born and bred here plus I know it like the back of my hand. This place is unique, the people are special and we are proud of our incredible heritage. We will be giving the city back a truly local station with live and interactive programmes from studios based in the community. Put simply, we will be from Swansea, for Swansea.”

SA Radio Live will feature a broad mix of classic hit music from all decades with current songs from established stars and a local playlist boasting Swansea’s finest musical talent. “If it sounds great, you will hear it…simple as that. 60’s anthems, loads of 70’s, tonnes of 80’s alongside the 90’s to now. And we will be the only station showcasing the city’s best new music in peak time shows and during a weekly 3 hour programme devoted to artists from our area.”

The station will have a number of much loved Swansea Sound and Wave names on its line up including Steve Dewitt, Siany, Leighton Jones, Plastic Sam, Mark Powell, Chris ‘Smithy’ Smith, Griff Harries, Rob Pendry, James Lewis, Kevin Kingand the city’s first ever voice on local radio 50 years ago, Chris Harper. Presenters from the former community station Radio Tircoed will also host shows including a Welsh language programme, specialist music and a more eclectic mix of quality tracks at night. SA Radio Live will be committed to broadcasting what’s on information and a community billboard whilst also supporting local charities.

“We will be a platform for Swansea events to get the sort of coverage they would never be able to get from any other station. It is also vital we offer local businesses incredibly affordable radio advertising and sponsorship opportunities. This will be especially good news for those who have only recently started up in such challenging times financially. But we are all in this together and we can do a great deal to help each other as we look forward to such an exciting future for Swansea with so much investment coming into the area. Due to the terms of our licence, we are limited in how much revenue we can generate to cover our running costs. But if any of our super talented local entrepreneurs believe in what we are trying to give back to Swansea, we would welcome their support with open arms”.

Beginning at 7am on Monday 30th September, the station will be heard across Swansea online at saradiolive.co.uk, on its very own app, smart speakers and on 106.5 FM in the North and East of the city. There are also plans to be available on DAB when the area’s new digital multiplex is expected to launch in 2025 and will be interactive on social media platforms as SA Radio Live. "I feel as excited as I did when I hosted the first show on The Wave 29 years ago" says Shaun. "And we are beyond grateful to the Tircoed Village Trust for their incredible support. We look forward to giving them and Swansea as a whole, a truly local station it can be proud of once again".