Kennet Radio

Kennet Radio serves Newbury and Thatcham from studios in central Newbury. Founded in October 2012, the volunteer-led organisation received its full-time community radio licence in 2016 and began FM broadcasting in March 2018. It operates as a not-for-profit service, with local participation and support for community organisations at the centre of its work.

The station's coverage follows West Berkshire life, including charities, education, health, theatre and local events. Its reporting has included Newbury Blues rugby, Thatcham Town football, the Watermill Theatre and the Newbury Spring Festival. Outside broadcasts and an occasional pop-up studio in the Kennet Centre take the station beyond its main premises and into public events.

Folk, roots and Americana have a developed programme strand produced by Stephen Ottner. Folk Ace Guest invites a guest to choose records and discuss the part music has played in their life. Folk Ace Gigs Guide looks ahead to performances across the area between Oxford, Reading, Southampton and Swindon. Gigs @ ACE Space brings concert highlights recorded and mixed by Mark Stafford, connecting the radio programme with a local live-music venue.

Jonathan Roscoe and Graham Hobbs contribute Shire Folk Showcase, assisted by Ottner, with selections from recent and forthcoming releases. The station also offers production and media-skills training, and gives charities a platform to explain their work or recruit volunteers. Funding from donations, grants, fundraising and advertising supports a service in which surplus income is reinvested in community broadcasting.