Radio Phonic FM

Phonic FM is Exeter's alternative community station, based at Exeter Phoenix. It grew from Vibraphonic FM, a temporary service created in 2003 to support the city's Vibraphonic Festival. After a full-time licence was awarded, Phonic began broadcasting on 15 February 2008 and continued beyond that year's festival, turning a short annual project into a lasting local service.

Its programme concentrates on music that receives less attention on mainstream radio, including both recordings and live performances. Local events and cultural interests sit beside the musical selections. Chris Norton presents The Wild Show, while Tom Yule's Soul Show moves through Northern Soul, modern soul, R&B and Motown. The Frank Show ranges across blues, rock and reggae, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Show takes a more unpredictable route through different kinds of music.

The station's specialist catalogue includes Vinnie Grist's Old Wave/New Wave Show, connecting late-1970s and early-1980s records with their influences and later alternative music. The Britpop Revival Show revisits both familiar songs and less remembered bands. These are examples of a programme shaped by presenters' collections and interests rather than one tightly defined mainstream playlist.

Other shows connect music with life in Exeter. Hot Mess includes conversation about arts and culture, while Station Well Raver places local wellbeing information between rave selections. The Phonic FM Drama Show adds spoken performance to the timetable. Participation remains part of the station's purpose: it welcomes programme ideas and contributors, maintaining the relationship between independent broadcasting and the city's creative community that began with the festival.