The Silence in the South West

What Happened to Broadcast Media in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset — And What Must Happen Next

PART 1: A REGION LEFT BEHIND

The Forgotten Voices of the South West

The South West of England — comprising Devon, Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Dorset — is a region of extraordinary diversity, depth and identity. Stretching from windswept moorland to fishing harbours, historic market towns to fast-growing cities, this part of Britain has always been shaped by strong local character and unique regional voices.

But in the world of broadcast media, those voices have been systematically sidelined.

Once served by proud regional television stations and locally rooted radio services, the South West is now starved of meaningful local broadcasting. News, debate, events and the rhythms of daily life are barely reflected in the broadcast landscape. What remains is a tokenised, skeletal version of what once was.

This is not simply a matter of nostalgia. It is a matter of civic representation, democratic health, economic opportunity, cultural visibility and social resilience. The South West has been devolved from the airwaves — and it’s time to reverse that.

Without accurate, trustworthy, and regular regional reporting, an entire corner of the country is left out of the national conversation. And in an age of misinformation, economic strain, and rising inequality, this exclusion isn’t just unfair. It is dangerous.

PART 2: The Business Case for Investors & Media Leaders

Reviving full-scale local broadcasting in the South West isn’t just a public service priority — it’s a business opportunity.

Untapped Audience Loyalty

Radio remains trusted by millions, especially among older and rural listeners who still prefer FM and MW.
Middle-aged audiences seek reliable, real-world, regional content.
Younger generations are seeking out authenticity — podcasts, smart speaker radio and localised media that reflects where they’re from.

Proven Advertising Potential

Regional businesses — trades, tourism, events, artisan producers — are underserved by national media.
Local advertising is more affordable, trusted and community-focused.
A properly resourced regional broadcaster can serve hundreds of local advertisers priced out of Facebook and national radio.

Scalable Infrastructure

Small-scale DAB multiplexes now serve Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall.
Streaming, apps, smart speakers, podcasting reduce physical overheads.
Hybrid models allow lean, digital-first expansion across counties.

Supportive Ecosystem

Universities, local government, creative hubs and skilled freelancers are ready to partner.
The South West has the audience, the talent, the space — and the need.

PART 3: What Happened to Our Media?

ITV: From Regional Powerhouse to Centralised Shell

ITV in the South West once included:

Westward Television
TSW (Television South West)
Westcountry Television

These stations created authentic regional programming — with local reporters, regional features and dedicated studios. But from the 1990s onward:

Franchises were centralised under ITV plc
By 2009, Ofcom allowed dramatic cuts to local content
Today, ITV West Country provides minimal, often pre-recorded segments from Bristol

The result? No studio presence in most of Devon or Cornwall. Little investigative journalism. And almost no cultural or civic representation.

Independent Local Radio (ILR): Gutted and Ghosted

DevonAir Radio (1980–1994)

Served Exeter, Torbay and East Devon. Beloved for its warm, regional identity.
Lost its licence in 1993 and fell silent on 31 December 1994.

Gemini FM (1995–2009)

Took over from DevonAir. Modern sound with a still-local feel.
Absorbed by GWR, then GCap, then Global. Became Heart Exeter & Torbay, and eventually lost all local programming.

Plymouth Sound (1975–2009)

One of the UK’s oldest ILR stations. Focused on the city, Tamar region and western Devon.
Folded into Heart South West — losing regional voice and relevance.

All were ultimately absorbed into networked brands — Heart, Capital, or Greatest Hits — with centralised playlists from London and no local content after 2019.

Community Radio: Brave but Underpowered

Stations like:

Radio Exe
Bay FM
Soundart Radio
Phonic FM
Source FM

…do extraordinary work — but they:

Cover tiny areas
Operate on shoestring budgets
Are volunteer-run with limited journalism or full-time staff

They can support a regional model — but cannot replace it.

PART 4: Why This Matters Now

Democracy is Being Undermined

Council and planning decisions go unreported
MPs, mayors and police panels face no scrutiny
Elections, cuts, and local controversies vanish from public view
Misinformation spreads in the absence of real journalism

Identity is Being Erased

South West dialects, traditions and stories are not being heard
Local talent, music, sport and causes have no broadcast platform
A whole region is defined by others — or ignored entirely

Emergency Communication is Failing

During storms, snow, floods or power outages, national playlists don’t cut it
Local emergency alerts are slower or absent
Public safety is compromised

Economic Growth is Being Stifled

Local business has lost a vital advertising platform
The creative workforce has no regional base
Tourism and public campaigns are less effective without media

PART 5: What Must Happen Now

A new broadcast model must be built — bold, digital-first and rooted in place.

RADIO: Restore Regional ILR on All Fronts

Use small-scale DAB multiplexes in Exeter, Plymouth, Cornwall and Torbay
Provide FM coverage for older and rural listeners
Stream via apps, smart speakers, and podcast platforms

TELEVISION: Reinforce and Localise ITV & BBC Output

Ofcom must require more than token bulletins from ITV West Country
Restore studio presence in Devon and Cornwall
Mandate more investigative journalism, cultural coverage, and rural reporting
BBC must be required to expand regional content, not shrink it — and deliver it via TV, radio, and online

LOCAL CONTENT: Unique, Not Networked

Live bulletins and real-time reporting
Call-in shows, debates, and community voices
South West sport, music, arts, weather, farming, tourism
School partnerships, youth media, language and cultural features

FUNDING: Smart, Blended Models

Local advertising with flexible packages
Sponsorships from councils, events, arts boards, and universities
Crowdfunding and subscriber platforms
Public service grant applications (e.g. BBC Local Democracy scheme)

COLLABORATION: Build a Regional Media Alliance

Connect ILR-style stations with community radio
Partner with Falmouth, Exeter and Plymouth universities
Train young journalists locally and retain talent
Share infrastructure and editorial frameworks
Create a South West Media Trust to guide strategy and governance

PART 6: A Call to Action

The South West is not a forgotten backwater.
It is a bold, creative, working region with a proud voice.
It deserves radio and television that reflects its people, not erases them.

We already lost our voice.
And with it, we lost more than news.

We lost the mirror that showed us who we are.
We lost the rhythm of our own communities.
We lost the power to speak and be heard in our own places.

Now we must fight to reclaim it —
or risk losing the chance forever.