Rhubarb Radio, the first of a network of 5 proposed online stations launches this Sunday from studios in Wakefield city centre.
The station will be targeting over half a million people across the Wakefield district and South Leeds, which are at the heart of the rhubarb triangle, famous for the largest forced rhubarb production in Europe.
4 more online stations under the Rhubarb Radio brand will follow over the next 12 months. They include Rhubarb Classic Hits Radio, Rhubarb Rock Radio, Rhubarb Smoothies Radio and Rhubarb Roots Radio. Although initially launching as online stations, the network has ambitions to grow the Rhubarb brand on the new small scale DAB transmitters once they are launched.
Dave Stankler, Launch Operations Director for the Rhubarb Radio Network said: “With listening habits having changed over recent years, a radio station can now build a credible brand and audience through digital online coverage on smartphones, tablets, even smart TV’s as well as on traditional computers and laptops. The technology is now available to deliver high quality audio with digital and online listening seeing huge growth, and the Rhubarb Radio Network is planning to build a high profile radio brand which will extend beyond their Yorkshire base in the years to come. If orange and apple can be global brands, why not rhubarb too!”
Rhubarb Radio’s Station Director, Gareth Smith also said: “We are all so excited to see the hard work over the last 6 months, initially with our pilot online station Valley Radio now developing into the exciting launch of the Rhubarb Radio brand. The team have worked tirelessly ready for launch, and we have already welcomed a wide range of advertisers and sponsor partners for the launch….As we say, tasty radio is coming!”
The station is carrying out test transmissions, and can be heard online at rhubarbradio.co.uk, or with their free app on smart phones and tablets.