The Media Act 2024 changed many of the previous obligations required for commercial radio stations.

The information in the file below was correct immediately prior to the removal of those requirements.

It remains correct in respect of Local news provision (an ongoing current requirement).

We will update the file once Ofcom completes consultation over the implementation of the Act and our ongoing responsibilities.

We expect this to be in the latter part of 2025.

Public File - Nation's Easy Radio

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

Stations covered in this Public File

Nation's Easy Radio is operated by Nation Broadcasting Investments (South) Limited

This radio station is part of the Nation Broadcasting Group.

Easy Radio operates on DAB, FM and Online.

Three FM licenses are covered by this station - Portsmouth, Winchester and Southampton.

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.

All programming content is shared between the three licenses.  A different set of adverts runs in the Portsmouth area.

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

The news team is managed by Nation's Group Programme Director, Neil Greenslade.  Neil can be reached by email at neil.greenslade@nationbroadcasting.com

You can contact the news team at news@easyradiouk.co.uk 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 our programming including weekday daytimes and weekend daytimes is automated. 

However, the majority of content including presentation links from presenters located at private home studios are supplied to the station very shortly before broadcast.

Local Programming

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

Typically, our programming is local weekdays between 7am and 11am.

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

Shared Programming

All programming is shared between the three licenses covered in this Public file.  No programming is shared elsewhere.

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 continue to promote local events on-air.

Recent Programme and/or News Highlights

Our website is regularly updated with current programming, competitions and initiatives we’re proud of and, where appropriate, local 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 popular music.  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 make a complaint about the station through the form on our 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