English Language Radio Stations
broadcasting in Andalucia
By Dee McMath
There are many English language radio stations in Andalucia, especially along the Costa del Sol and some inland areas where many English speaking residents have settled over the last few decades. A few of the pioneering English language stations are still going strong after and have long-term, loyal listeners, who tune in religiously, actively participate in competitions or phone-in debates on local issues, or simply listen to music.
Local radio may sometimes be criticised for not coming up to BBC standards, but many of the stations on the Costa del Sol and in Andalucia in general, provide not only music, humour, entertainment, news and sport, but also a lifeline for many faithful listeners. Information on up-coming local events and club activities are often advertised, so that if you are new to the area or just want to keep in touch, this can be a great source of initial or on-going social contacts. Commercial advertising on English radio is also very useful to guide you in the right direction if you are looking for a particular service or product or even to know when the sales are on!
Most of the stations have their own blend of themed talk shows, interviews, women's magazine type programmes, sport, weather and news. Normally included somewhere in a local or national news bulletin, you will hear the winning lottery number and the daily currency rates. Some stations are more popular for less talk and more music, with perhaps an hourly news check, often the BBC World Service or another UK-based news service. Competitions are popular on many topics, including general knowledge, music of particular genre, local history, etc. Prizes can range from flight tickets to the UK, to dinner for two in a local restaurant or maybe a beauty treatment.
Radio is said to be more intimate than television because it seems as if the presenter is speaking only to you and this is especially true in the type of ex-pat community that exists in Southern Spain where your favourite local radio station can lift your spirits and really make you feel at home.
Spanish Radio Stations in Andalucia
There are numerous Spanish radio stations in Andalucia
and its well worth tuning in, not only as a vehicle for improving
your Spanish language comprehension, but also because they often
play a good mix of international and Spanish music. For a guide
to local stations and their corresponding wavelengths, see the Cartelera
(What's On) section of the newspaper, El País.
The Spanish station, KissFM, for example
plays international modern classics and is often a popular choice
for background ambience in cafeterias. Other well-loved stations
are Canal Sur Radio, which has lively
discussions, news, sport and music. Cadena Ser
is another excellent station with local studios, e.g. Cadena
Ser Málaga on 93.9FM. For constant pop and rock, the
stations to tune in to are 40 Principales
(in Málaga 102.8FM) and M-80 (in
Málaga 101.1). The State network Radio
Nacional de España has four stations including RNE2
(classical music) and RNE3 with a mix
of rock and pop music, both on FM only. For news and informative
programmes (interspersed with music and interesting short comments
on history, gastronomy, health and other general information) tune
into Radio 5 Todo Noticias (88FM). Many
of the Spanish stations that broadcast in the Andalucia dedicate
some airtime to Flamenco, Sevillanas and other traditional music,
as well as cultural themes.
English speaking Radio Stations
- Costa del Sol, Andalucia
By Dee McMath
OCI (ONDA CERO INTERNATIONAL)
- 101.6FM & 98.4 FM
Onda Cero is one of Spain’s most well known national networks and Onda Cero International is its English language network broadcasting to the provinces of Málaga, Cádiz and Granada as well as on the Costa Blanca. Known as OCI, this station provides a friendly, down-to-earth connection to all things Spanish with local, regional and national Spanish news throughout the day, as well as BBC connections. At Onda Cero listeners wake up with Ian Jacks and his very popular breakfast show which includes humour and quizzes, contests and the best music. Spanish Matters follows with Adrian Allen who delves deeper into Spanish contemporary issues and continues with Brenda Padilla’s Across the Coast, the mid-day magazine programme including interviews with doctors, psychologists, experts on Internet and technology, local artists, specialists in Mediterranean gardening and plenty of information regarding events across the province of Málaga.
OCI broadcasts 24 hours a day to the Costa del Sol on 101.6 F.M. (101.8 F.M. in Marbella) and on the Costa Blanca via 94.6 FM.
Tel: 952 821 818
REM.FM
- 104.8FM & 91.9FM
REM is a new state-of-the-art station (started up in 2004) and is
manned by experienced local presenters. It broadcasts from San Pedro,
transmitting over the whole of the Costa del Sol as well as well
as on the Internet. The programmes range from lively news commentary
and lifestyle magazine shows to through-the-night music classics.
A mix of chat, interviews, views, news and music. Local and international
news bulletins, keeping you in up-to-date with events and trends
in Spain and in the UK.
SPECTRUM FM - 105.5FM (COSTA
ALMERIA/MOJACAR 92.6FM)
Spectrum radio broadcasts to the Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria and Costa Blanca with DJ’s Dave Lee Travis and Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart as well as other local presenters. Spectrum offers 24 hours of Music, sport and news. Look at the website or phone the station for further information.
Tel: 902 105 551
WAVE 96 FM - 96.0FM
A non talk, 24-hour Classic Hit music station, with BBC World News on the hour. For easy reference, you can usually hear 60's music at 6 p.m., 70's music at
7 p.m. and 80's music at ….. You guessed it - 8 p.m!
Also on the bill..local news, sport and entertainment from 9am to 6pm (weekdays).
Tel: 952 562 474
ACE FM
ACE FM broadcasts to inland Málaga province from Alhaurin el Grande on 106.8FM. The station plays great music from the last five decades as well as featuring loads of local news, events and information.
Tel: 952 597 204
BFBS GIBRALTAR RADIO 93.5FM &
97.8FM
Radio Station based in Gibraltar, with information on what's on and local Gibraltar events, as well as news, music, chat and competitions. It is primarily set up for the benefit of communication and entertainment of the three armed forces based on the Rock.
CENTRAL FM - 98.6FM & 103.8FM
A very popular station, with an impressive number of dedicated listeners. Wide selection of well mixed music programmes covering most tastes, from 60's, 70',s 80's, Soul, Blues and much more. There are also interviews, chat, local and international news, sports news and competitions.
Live Studio, Tel: 952 443 443
COASTLINE FM - 97.6FM (WEST)
93.3FM(EAST)
A popular and lively 24-hour radio station, of some 15 years standing. Music, interviews, local events news, sports and national and international news bulletins. Music and variety is the Coastline strapline.
Tel: 95 253 4177
GLOBAL RADIO - 96.5FM
Live local broadcasting station based at Miraflores Playa, Mijas Costa. 24 hour English speaking radio and on-line via the Internet. Global features the latest in R 'n' B music.
Tel: 952 599 212
RADIO MIJAS - 107.7FM
English news, views and music broadcast from this local station in Málaga province between 15:00 and 17:00.
