Sun FM - Ofcom Public File

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

Sun FM Radio (Sunderland) operated by Sun FM Limited

Sun FM Radio (Durham) operated by Sun FM Limited

Sun FM Radio (Darlington) operated by Sun FM Limited

Sun FM Limited is part of the Nation Broadcasting Group.

At all times, these local licenses operate a single shared programming service on FM and online as permitted by their respective formats.  Programmes on Sun FM Radio are not shared with any other service.

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 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 0800 and 1300.

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 Network News Managing Editor John Ryan john.ryan@nationbroadcasting.com

You can contact the news team at news@sun-fm.com 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.

Local Programming

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

We are required to provide three hours per weekday from the approved area, although we usually provide significantly more than this with weekday Breakfast, Daytime and Drivetime programmes originating from the transmission area (or wider approved area).

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

Programme Sharing during daytime hours

All programming is shared between the three Ofcom licences for Sun FM. 

From 18th June 2023, the Nation Network Chart Show (Sunday 4-7pm) is also shared with 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

Historically, the station has hosted numerous award events and outside broadcast activities.  

The station regularly organises Xmas Toy Appeals and Easter Egg appeals and regularly broadcasts details of local events which can be submitted via this website.

Recent Programme and/or News Highlights

Our website and social media channels 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 raise a complaint using the contact page 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 

June 2023