Inverness Hospital Radio needs community support to continue as MFR shock decision invites smaller stations to step up
By Shannon Marvell
The Highlands feel they are missing out with the recent news about MFR’s breakfast show, but this transition invites smaller stations to step up - will they gain listeners in the smart device era?
It’s a sobering moment to realise that MFR will no longer have its local breakfast show, ending four-decades of broadcasting Highland stories, music, and news that reflect our unique landscape and spirit. With the recent announcement that MFR’s local schedule will be replaced by syndicated programming from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, we’ve lost more than just a morning show - we’ve lost a vital voice for our community.
• MFR’s founding chief executive reflects on ‘sad’ end to Highland presenting at station
• Highland radio ‘alive and well’ despite MFR shock, says Inverness Hospital Radio
• MFR shock decision: Is this the death of local radio?
The shift that Bauer Media - the station owner - has made highlights that our remaining local radio options are fewer than ever before, especially if you’re looking for traditional analogue stations.
Some local stations, like us at Inverness Hospital Radio, do not have the option of obtaining an AM/FM licence - it’s expensive, and competition for these licences is fierce. Instead, we rely on our online platform and presence to reach our audiences. For some, this might not feel significant, but for others - especially those in rural areas and for our older listeners - it’s an additional barrier to access online community-driven content.
However, the change at MFR, I believe, will open up the opportunity for listeners to increase at non-profit stations across the Highlands. I’ve met many radio volunteers across the country - they are so passionate about what they do but the hurdle that we all have had to overcome is surviving next to radio giants.
We really want to ensure we are embedded in the community, we are solely run by volunteers who love what they do. Being primarily a hospital radio station shouldn’t stop anyone from listening to something local.
What matters to us are the people. But we need community support to continue our work. To keep local broadcasting alive and relevant, we need to engage and support these stations. The small act of listening can make a significant difference, letting local stations know that their work matters.
The loss of the MFR breakfast show reminds us just how fragile local media can be and how much it means to our sense of place and connection when people decide to choose local.
It’s more important than ever that we support the remaining local organisations that continue to give our community a voice - whether that means tuning in online, getting in contact or supporting financially. It’s up to us to ensure that Highland voices aren’t lost.
Shannon Marvell is a presenter and social media co-ordinator at Inverness Hospital Radio.
