Public File - Nation Radio Scotland

Each local commercial radio 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 this station’s public file.

The Public File is also available in hard copy by post upon request by any member of the public and serves as one indicator of each station’s output. 

Comment on the contents of the Public File should be made to the station or to the industry regulator Ofcom

Station covered in this Public File

Nation Radio Scotland operated by Nation Radio Scotland Limited

Nation Radio Scotland (Dumbarton) operated by Nation Radio Investments Limited

Nation Radio Scotland (Helensburgh) operated by Nation Radio Investments Limited

Nation Radio Scotland Limited and Nation Radio Investments Limited are part of the Nation Broadcasting Group.

These three licenses share common output 24/7 although we retain the technology to provide separate output to each FM transmitter.  Nation Radio Scotland’s programmes are not shared with any other service.

Nation Radio Scotland operates on FM, DAB and online.

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.

Programme Sharing

We hold three separate licenses which have been sharing all programme output since 1 April 2020.  Initially this was as a force majeure response to the pandemic, since August 2021, it has now been incorporated in the formats of each license.

Even prior to the pandemic, the three services widely shared local content including news and travel information bulletins.

News bulletins and the News team

Except in special or exceptional circumstances (which may include some bank holiday periods and between Christmas and the New Year) the station broadcasts news bulletins hourly from 0600 until 1900. 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 1200.

Our news is supplied by Nation Network News.

Additionally, at other times, bulletins containing national and world news, prepared by Sky, is broadcast.

The news team is managed by Nation Network News Managing Editor John Ryan john.ryan@nationbroadcasting.com

You can contact the news team at news@nationradio.scot or by calling 02921 414100 and selecting the option for news.

Nation Network news is compiled by a team of journalists based at various locations around the UK - we also maintain a journalistic presence in each area of the UK where this is a format requirement.

Programme Schedule

The station broadcasts twenty four hours a day, our programme schedule is available at the station website.

Programme Production

Under Ofcom’s definition of automation, all programming is automated. 

The overwhelming majority of content including presentation links are supplied to the station very shortly before broadcast from presenters located in the area.

Local Programming  

The station broadcasts local programming from private studios located within the transmission area (or wider approved area where applicable).

Under the current format we are required to provide 3 hours a day every weekday from the approved area – however we typically exceed this requirement with Breakfast, Afternoon and Drivetime programmes being provided from the transmission area (or wider approved area where applicable).

We always ensure we meet our minimum requirement to provide three hours of local programming on weekdays.

All local programming, and indeed all programming is shared between Nation Radio Scotland and Nation Radio Helensburgh and Nation Radio Dumbarton.

Shared Programming

We sometimes share our programming and competitions across a number of radio stations operated by Nation Broadcasting.  A full list of our stations can be found at nationbroadcasting.com

Outside of local hours, some programmes are shared with other Nation Radio services across the UK.

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 Neil Greenslade, Nation Broadcasting’s Group Programme Director. neil.greenslade@nationbroadcasting.com

You can also contact the station during office hours on 02921-414100

Events/Charities support or coverage

Our presentation team regularly mention events and charities and can be contacted by emailing studio@nationradio.scot

Recent Programme and/or News Highlights

Our website is regularly updated with current programming, competitions and initiatives we’re proud of and, where appropriate, news.

Localness

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

Music

Our stations are licensed to play a broad mix of classic/pop hits.

If you would like a copy of our current playlist you can request this from Neil Greenslade, Nation Broadcasting’s Group Programme Director.

neil.greenslade@nationbroadcasting.com

Format

As outlined at the head of this document, the station is governed by a Format, which forms part of our licence. Our Format is available on the Ofcom website by selecting the relevant station here:

http://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/html/radio-stations/analogue/analogue-main.htm

How to complain

Producing 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 raise a complaint using the contact us form on the station website.

To speak to us directly, our weekday office hours phone numbers are above. Should you have any difficulties, please speak to Nation Broadcasting’s Managing Director, Martin Mumford – martin.mumford@nationbroadcasting.com

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. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/complaints

April 2024