where it all started
The station began as a Programme on a Market Harborough short term radio station (RSL) called Valley FM. On a Saturday Night, Ellie (15), Sam (12) and Rayne (10) took over Philip Solo's show by "bursting in and tying him up" - they would only come out if the "Radio Police" paid the ransom of delicious pizza.
After appearing on The Big Dial in 1998, the show moved to The Wall 95.1 FM and new young recruits were needed. An advert was placed into the Leicester Mercury newspaper and membership grew from just 13 to 100!
By August 2000, the Takeover Radio shows had grown in popularity and membership so much that a radio station of our own was needed and this began on Saturday 19th August 2000 for 9 days, from 9am til 9pm.
The Radio Authority chose Takeover as 1 of 15 to be handpicked to trial out a new pilot radio licence called the "Access Radio Scheme" - this meant Takeover Radio's dreams had come true and for 5 years, Takeover could now broadcast full time on air!
The UK's first full-time broadcasting Children's Radio station finally went live on air on Tuesday 5th March 2002. Takeover Radio 103.2 was now on air until at least 2006!
Takeover Radio were granted a new 5 year license by the newly-formed Ofcom, meaning that Takeover would continue broadcasting until 2010.
Takeover Radio moved to it's current studios at Abbey Park in Leicester. Ofcom renewed the license for another 5 years to 2015.
Ofcom granted yet another 5 year extension, allowing us to broadcast until 2020.
Today, Takeover Radio continue to support children and young people across Leicester and Leicestershire by training them in radio presentation and production.
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What We Do
As a community station, it's our duty to work with the young people of Leicester to produce great radio. We broadcast 24 hours a day with the latest music, as well as news and stories from across the city.
Managed by registered charity, Takeover Radio Children's Media Trust, the station is run entirely by volunteers. During school time, the station is looked after by a team of volunteer adults who then hand the airwaves back to our young people in the evenings, at the weekends and during school holidays.
Wanna know what we look like?
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Presenter and Training Manager
Events Manager
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we're recruiting
We're always looking for talent, and that could be you. Browse our current opportunities below and get in touch to start volunteering at takeover now.
Punctual
Enthusiastic
Friendly
Approachable
This is a creative fun volunteering role as a volunteer radio presenter. We're looking for Children and Adults alike, who may want to get their voice heard on the airwaves across Leicester. Full training will be provided.
Think you’ve got what it takes to present live radio? We’re on the hunt for volunteer presenters to work on the station at all times of the day.
Daytime and Late Night Presenters
Our day time and late night presenters tend to be over 18’s who ‘look after the station’ when the young people are at school. You’ll work closely with our experienced programme manager to ensure your on air style is in-keeping with the stations’ brand. During school holidays, you may also be asked to work with young people on your show. Be warned – a 2 hour show isn’t just a 2 hour per week commitment. A lot of preparation has to go into every show.
Evening and Weekend Presenters
Our evening and weekend presenters are under 18s. Upon completing a comprehensive training course, you’ll work closely with adult radio professionals to ensure you’re producing good quality radio for our listeners. Be warned – a 2 hour show isn’t just a 2 hour per week commitment. A lot of preparation has to go into every show.
Punctual
Enthusiastic
Friendly
Approachable
Passionate
Keen attention to detail
Patient
Approachable
We're looking for adult volunteers who are responsible for keeping the station running. These opportunities include mentoring our young people, administration tasks, production and chaperoning. Full training will be provided and all successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Think you can bring something else to the table? Let us know!
Mentor
Perfect for adults with experience in radio presentation. We’re looking for adults to work with our young people in the evening, at weekends and during the school holidays to help them to produce the highest quality radio.
Administration
As with any organisation, there is always lots of administration to be done. Everything from monitoring email inboxes to arranging meetings with prospective volunteers is invaluable for the station!
Production
Another more practical role suitable for those with audio production experience. Working with our experienced programme manager, you’ll be required to produce audio content for use on the station, update schedules and bring in new music. You may also be required to work with young people, assisting them to produce their own content.
Chaperoning
We’re always on the look out for adults who can act as ‘responsible adults’ to sit in with our young people and make sure everything runs smoothly. We also organise trips and work from events where we may require extra eyes and ears.
Think you can bring something else to the table? We’re always on the look out for enthusiastic talent who could help us in all areas including broadcast engineering, marketing and building management.
Passionate
Keen attention to detail
Patient
Approachable
