Colourful new DAB station to launch in London

Former BBC broadcaster Henry Bonsu and ex-pirate Gordon (Mac) McNamee have joined forces to launch Colourful Radio on DAB in London on March 2.

The new DAB station, which will play a mix of soul, jazz, reggae and r’n’b from the sixties to the current day, is expected to go out to a potential audience of 12 million listeners across the capital.

The two broadcasters have controversial history in the radio industry, with Bonsu axed by the BBC for being “too intellectual” and McNamee well-known for his fight against the government’s control of the airwaves for the launch former pirate radio station Kiss FM in the 1980s.

Colourful Radio “is set to take the radio industry by storm” with a mix of music and informative debate on topical issues, which will “bring a real alternative to the mainstream, often bland, often can’t-tell-them-apart, stations currently flooding the radio waves”, according Bonsu and McNamee.

“I think it is time for another broadcasting revolution. DAB gives radio operators a chance to build independent stations that are not bogged down by big company mentality and bureaucracy,” McNamee said. “Colourful Radio offers the perfect combination between an uplifting ‘feel good’ station and a forum for debating issues that are close to people’s hearts.

“It will no doubt make a fantastic contribution to the capital, its citizens and visitors,” he added.

Both McNamee and Bonsu will present shows on Colourful, alongside a team of other radio and club DJs, including Aitch B from Soul 2 Soul, Femi Fem, Mastermind, Dave P and Stretch Taylor.

Former managing director of both LBC and talkSPORT has also been appointed to as director of strategy at Colourful Radio.

Colourful Radio is currently available on Sky channel 0194 and online at www.colourfulradio.com.