A NEW radio station in Basingstoke hopes to become a ‘viable alternative’ to old local stations.

Fusion Radio is a community initiative set up by 33-year-old Hatch Warren resident and IT manager, Joe Melville, for listeners who want ‘more music, less chat, and local information that matters to them’.

The station is currently available online at fusionradio.co.uk as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Play as an app, however, they are looking to raise funds to broadcast on DAB in the town.

Joe said he is ‘passionate about radio’ and wants listeners to ‘get involved with and enjoy’ Fusion Radio.

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He added: “I decided to start the radio station because I wanted to create a project in something that I was passionate about, that is outside of my day job, and that benefits the wider community.

“I’ve always been interested in all things radio; how it’s produced, presented, and broadcast, and I knew that running my own station was a sure-fire way for me to experience all these things and learn a lot along the way.

“I’ve had some behind-the-scenes experience with student radio while at university, but other than that I’m a radio newbie.”

Joe also hopes to recreate the community-based structure of old radio stations, with many previous stations being taken over/replaced by national broadcasting.

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He said: “Basingstoke has lost its local radio stations over the years, and nowadays there’s not a lot of choice. So, I decided to set up Fusion Radio to offer a new alternative for locals to tune into, get involved with, and enjoy.

“The goal is for Fusion Radio to become the go-to station throughout Basingstoke for listeners who want more music, less chat, and local information that matters to them, as well as to help local companies connect with our listeners and grow their business through radio advertising.”

The station is currently mostly automated, however, Joe plans to change this, with the station looking for volunteers to help front shows for the station with a presenter-led ‘Drivetime’ show already taking place every weekday from 4-7pm.