Hot Radio

Hot Radio is a local station for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with a wider Dorset audience. Its main service combines contemporary popular music and familiar records from recent decades with local news, travel and community information. A large volunteer team supports the station, giving its programmes and local activities a connection with people living in the area.

Niall presents breakfast, Mark Rush Palmer appears in the daytime line-up and Sparky hosts the drive home. Weekend programming includes Glitterballs' warm-up selection, while Elysa Marsden presents a dedicated rock programme. These strands introduce changes of pace around the main pop-led service, allowing specialist presenters to bring their own musical interests to the audience.

Local information includes weather, traffic and a surf report, reflecting both everyday journeys and the coastal setting. The Community Billboard gives space to charity fundraisers, local gatherings and smaller grassroots events across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Event suggestions are reviewed by the station, creating a route for groups to make their activities known beyond their existing members.

The wider Hot group also operates separate services: Hot Gold concentrates on older upbeat favourites, while Xtra Hot has a dance and urban-music identity. Hot Radio itself retains the contemporary local entertainment role. Its coverage of community activity, including work by organisations such as Home-Start Wessex, sits alongside music, competitions and presenter conversation. For listeners around the three towns, the combination offers a familiar daily soundtrack with information about the places, organisations and events close to them.