Rother FM
{{short description|Radio station in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England}}
{{distinguish|Rother Radio}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Rother FM logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| name = Rother FM
| city = Rotherham
| frequency = FM: 96.1 MHz
| rds = ROTHERFM
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4169|-1.3513|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| airdate = 15 October 2006
| last_airdate = 31 August 2020
| format = Contemporary
| owner = Bauer
| sister_stations =
| website =
}}
Rother FM was an Independent Local Radio station serving the English town of Rotherham. The station was on air from 2006 until it was closed in 2020 by owners Bauer so that the frequency could be used to broadcast Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire.
Studios and coverage
Rother FM was originally based in Rotherham from its studios at Aspen Court in Templeboroug, but later moved to Doncaster as part of cost saving measures. It covered the Rotherham Borough from its transmitter at Boston Castle, although it could easily be heard in neighbouring areas such as Sheffield and Barnsley.
Background
Prior to being awarded the licence by Ofcom, Rother FM broadcast two Restricted Service Licence broadcasts from the Carlton Park Hotel.{{cite web |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.391.1 |website=radiotoday.co.uk |accessdate=2 June 2009 |title=Archived copy |archive-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718090156/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.391.1 |url-status=dead }} The station went on to be awarded the full-time licence and launched at 10{{nbsp}}am on Sunday 15 October 2006 with presenter James Marriott hosting the first show.{{cite web |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.1187 |website=radiotoday.co.uk |accessdate=2 June 2009 |title=Archived copy |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229060427/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?item.1187 |url-status=dead }}
It was part of the Lincs FM Group of radio stations and broadcast on the old Hallam FM frequency of 96.1{{nbsp}}MHz FM. The station broadcast a mix of current chart music as well as well known tracks from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s alongside news, information and competitions.
Closure
Lincs FM Group was purchased by Bauer Radio in February 2019{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/02/bauer-media-continues-to-grow/ |title=Bauer Media continues to grow with two acquisitions |website=Radiotoday.co.uk |date=5 February 2019 | accessdate=7 March 2023}} and eighteen months later, most of the group's remaining stations including Rother FM, were rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/05/27/most-of-acquired-bauer-stations-to-become-greatest-hits-radio/ |title=Most of acquired Bauer stations to become Greatest Hits Radio |website=Radiotoday.co.uk |date=27 May 2022 | accessdate=7 March 2023}}