Public File (Bristol)

Hits Radio (Bristol & The South West), like each local commercial station in the UK, has obligations with regard to its programmes, including its music and local content. These obligations are set out in the station Format which forms part of our Public File.

The Public File is just one indicator of our output. Just ask us if you’d like a hard copy. If you have any comments on it, let us know or, if necessary, contact our regulator, Ofcom.

News

Except in special or exceptional circumstances (which may include some bank holiday periods,) the station broadcasts news bulletins hourly from 0600 until 1900, with additional headlines in weekday breakfast and evening drive periods. Bulletins contain a mix of local/regional, national and world stories, along with sport, weather and entertainment news.

At the weekend, bulletins containing local/regional, national and world news, along with sport, weather and entertainment news, are broadcast between 0700 and 1300.

Additionally, at other times, bulletins containing national and world news, prepared by Sky, may be broadcast in some hours.

The news team is managed by the West Of England Editor, Abbie Chesher: abbie.chesher@bauermedia.co.uk. Our Senior Reporter is James Diamond: james.diamond@bauermedia.co.uk.

You can also contact the news team on swnews@bauermedia.co.uk.

The news operation is based at our studios in Bristol for the most part and during peak times. From time to time, some content is prepared from other Bauer Radio Limited newsrooms.

You can view some of our recent news stories here.

Programmes

The station broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, with programmes as listed here.

Programme Production

Programming within weekday daytimes is not regularly automated. Our Breakfast, afternoon, Drivetime, evening, weeknight and overnight programming is generally live from our network centre in Manchester, but occasional weekend programmes may be automated. These shows may be live in times of adverse weather or other relevant circumstances.

Local Programming

Except in special or exceptional circumstances (e.g. specials), Hits Radio’s (Bristol & The South West)) weekday daytime show (10:00 - 13:00) is broadcast from our studios in Bristol.

(All other shows are broadcast from our Hits Radio Network centre at Hits Radio, Castle Street, Manchester, M15 4PR).

Our Bristol studios are at:

Hits Radio,

County Gates,

Ashton Road,

Bristol

BS3 2JH.

Guidelines

Guidelines on localness have been published by our regulator OFCOM, and are available here: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/localness/localness-guidelines

Contact

To contact the radio station generally, use our ‘contact us’ page and we’ll make every effort to reply to any emails which raise substantive issues. Should you prefer to speak to programme management, please contact Andy Shier, Regional Content Director: andy.shier@bauermedia.co.uk. You can also contact the station during office hours on 0117 966 1065. Any complaints or comments may also be lodged via the website (click ‘contact us‘ at the bottom of this page).

Events/Charities support or coverage

We intend to support many events and charity initiatives through the year, including our own charity ‘Cash for Kids’ (such as Cash For Kids Day and Mission Christmas, which raises thousands for causes across the South Coast).

Recent Programme and/or News Highlights

Our website covers much of the programming we’re proud of (general and, where appropriate, news).

Localness

We aim that our radio stations belong to the areas they serve. Any suggestions or thoughts on our output are always much valued.

Music

Hits Radio (Bristol & The South West) is licensed to play ‘mainstream music’. It plays, accordingly, a mix of current mainstream pop songs alongside classic chart hits from the last twenty years. You can view our playlist here.

Format

As outlined at the head of this document, the station is governed by a Format, which forms part of our licence. Prior to September 6th 2021, the station was known as Sam FM. You can view our Format here.

How to complain

Live, entertaining radio always carries some risk. We try to get things right, and not all programmes will be to everyone’s taste. Where we do make mistakes, we’ll try to take appropriate action as quickly as we can. Please do get in touch with any comments – praise or complaints and we’ll consider them carefully. You can contact us by emailing andy.shier@bauermedia.co.uk, or by calling 0117 966 1065.

If you feel we have not taken the right action regarding a broadcast after contacting us, you may refer the matter to our regulator, Ofcom.