is a radio station in the
United Kingdom broadcasting to
Falkirk ,
Stirling and
Clackmannanshire (the former
Central region) in
Scotland from studios in Falkirk High Street. The station was originally based in the John Player Building (aka the Stirling Enterprise Park) in Stirling. It relocated in 1997 following reinvestment from Radio Investments Limited.
Local radio in Stirling started with Centresound, one of a few "incremental" licences issued by the IBA. This operation fell into financial difficulties and entered into a management contract with Radio Forth. The station was relaunched as Central FM, employing a new business model which included sharing programming, news provision and back office services with Radio Forth. Despite the operational changes, the company was still not profitable, and in 1996 one of Central FM's minority shareholders opted to increase its investment. Radio Investments Limited increased its holding in the company to 60% and assumed operational control. The effective change in ownership led to the dissolution of the management agreement with Radio Forth, and ultimately to the relocation of the station from Stirling to Falkirk.
Radio Forth had become part of Scottish Radio Holdings in the mid 90's, and following the acquisition of SRH in 2006, EMAP plc currently hold 20% of the shares in Central FM Ltd. A controlling interest (approx 60% of shares) is held by The Local Radio Company PLC, and the remainder by independent investors, some of whom were involved in the original service, Centresound.
