Radio Gateway 97.8

Gateway 97.8 is a local station for Basildon and East Thurrock. The broadcaster traces its community work to 2007, covering local news, elections and events as well as music and entertainment. Interviews and reporting give people and organisations in its area a place alongside the records.

Johnny Jenkins presents Sunrise, Aston Avery hosts Daytime and Jacqui James leads Good Afternoon. The drive programme has several voices across the week, including Ros Connors and Danny Lawrence. These shows provide a local daytime framework before the specialist evening selections begin.

Neil Matthew's Cool Soul, Ben Atkinson's country programme and Ashwyn Smyth's Digital Blues each focus on a particular musical interest. Gary King presents Totally 90's and Totally 80's, while Cat Norris hosts The Record Shop. Unsigned Gateway adds a place for music beyond established releases, and Mark Stafford's Staffords World appears in the weekend line-up.

Community participation is visible in the Radio Club Takeover and Pride Matters with Basildon Pride. The station's Kelly's Diary events guide invites local listings, while interviews cover charities, culture and practical subjects affecting listeners. Gateway therefore combines several kinds of local radio: daytime conversation, specialist music, opportunities for community groups and coverage of civic life. Basildon and East Thurrock remain the common focus across those different programmes, rather than merely the location from which a generic music service is transmitted.