On this page, you’ll find information about radio stations serving the Southend-on-Sea area, as well as information on other radio-related topics for Southend.
Southend Radio Stations:
Below, you’ll find a list of the radio stations broadcasting to the city of Southend, or from the city of Southend:
 Radio Essex – Launched in March 2008 as “Southend Radio”, this local station broadcasts on 105.1FM from studios next to Adventure Island on Southend Seafront. The station rebranded to “Radio Essex” in 2015, incorporating Chelmsford Radio. Current presenters include Martin Day (Breakfast), and Mikey Faulkner. Previous presenters have included Mike Porter, Tracie Young, James O’Neill, Ben Payne, Tracy Cooper, Nick Hull, Tim Murphy, Adrian Fox, Dave Gowland and Paul Lovett.Listen on: 105.1FM (Southend), on DAB and onlineLinks: Southend Radio Licence – Background. |
 Funky SX. A community “dance and urban” radio station that launched in Southend in 2016. The station is based at the Westborough Academy in MacDonald Avenue, Westcliff-on-SeaHow to listen: 103.7 FM, on DAB and via the Funky.SX websiteLinks: Funky.SX |
 Southend Hospital Radio. From its launch in 1977 up until 2005, the station was known as Thameside Hospital Radio, but has now changed its name. The station broadcasts from Southend University Hospital via the Internet, and provides music, news and entertainment on weekday evenings and at weekends. The station is a registered charity, and is staffed by volunteers.How to listen: Online via www.getshr.ukLinks: Southend Hospital Radio | Thameside Radio History |
Other stations
Run a Southend-based Internet radio station or podcast? Let us know for a free listing |
City DAB – Digital Radio in Southend-on-Sea
From December 2024, the city of Southend-on-Sea now has its own DAB multiplex, allowing multiple radio stations in and around Southend to broadcast on digital radio. The Ofcom licence went to City DAB, and their service launched in December 2024.
Here is the list of stations broadcasting on City DAB’s Southend multiplex:
| Station Name | More details | Date live on City DAB |
| Funky SX | Community station for Southend | December 2024 |
| Fresh Soundz Radio | London/Surrey | January 2025 |
| All 80s Radio | Witney Media, Oxfordshire | January 2025 |
| Gateway 97.8 | Community station for Basildon | January 2025 |
| Radio Southend | Part of Kube Media Ltd, Chelmsford | January 2025 |
| Essex Hits | Part of Kube Media Ltd, Chelmsford | January 2025 |
More about City DAB: Their 200-watt transmitter is located on the top of the Southend University Hospital tower block. It broadcasts on DAB Channel 9B (204.64 MHz). Their small-scale DAB (SSDAB) multiplex went live in December 2024.
Links: City DAB ; Licence Application
Stations with a former Southend Connection:
 Heart Essex (was Essex FM) – The commercial radio station serving Essex is “Heart”. This rebranded from Essex FM in June 2009, but as of June 2019 no longer broadcasts live shows from Essex.
Launched in September 1981 as Essex Radio, the station was originally owned by local businesses, including Keddies, HW Stone, Garons and nightclub TOTS. The station was taken over by the Daily Mail newspaper group in the 90’s, and is now owned by large UK radio group Global Radio. Between September 1981 and October 2004, the radio station broadcast from studios underneath Clifftown Road just off Southend High Street. Heart Essex then broadcasts from studios in Glebe Road, Chelmsford, but now no longer broadcasts from Essex, with content mostly coming from London.
Listen on: 97.5FM (Southend relay) and 96.3FM (South Essex), Internet, DAB digital radio Other links: Essex Radio Remembered |
 BBC Essex – BBC local radio for the county of Essex started in November 1986. Based in studios in New London Road in Chelmsford, the station had a satellite studio for Southend close to the Palace Theatre in Westcliff.
Past and present presenters: Ben Fryer & Sonia Watson (Breakfast), Sadie Nine, Tony Fisher, Dave Monk, Ray Clark, John Leech, Eric Dixon, Ray Clark, Dave Monk, Etholle George, Steve Scruton, John Hayes, Roger Buxton, Tim ‘Timbo’ Lloyd, Etholle Pegrum, Simon Baldock and Liz Mullen. Listen on: 95.3FM (Southend), DAB digital radio Website: www.bbc.co.uk/england/essex/ |
Many will remember the days when Essex Radio was “somewhere special”, with presenters including Jon Scragg, Terry Davis, Dave Gregory, Keith Rogers, Paul Lee, Lindsay King and local legend Tim “Timbo” Lloyd.
DAB: More radio choice for Essex
DAB radios start from around £40. To see what’s available in Essex, see the Essex DAB page. There’s also a stack of digital radio channels available in Southend on your TV – More on digital TV in Southend. |
More Southend Radio Links:
- Information on receiving DAB digital radio in Essex: Essex DAB
- Radio in Essex: Radio stations in Essex
- Live outside Essex? Listen in to Essex radio stations on the Internet
- Southend Amateur Radio – Details of ham radio in Southend-on-Sea. Nearby clubs include Essex Ham and the South Essex Amateur Radio Society
- What about TV in Southend? Try our Digital TV in Southend-on-Sea page
- More on Southend-on-Sea? See our Southend Info or Visiting Southend pages.
Got a question about Southend radio, or anything to do with Southend? Post a message in our Southend-on-Sea discussion forum
Hi. Nice page. Mike Porter has not been on Radio Essex for years though, he has been presenting daytime shows on Phoenix FM for at least five years.