The history of BBC Somerset

Original Somerset Sound logo

During severe storms in 1978 an emergency broadcasting centre was set up at County Hall in Taunton.

Listeners decided they wanted their own radio station for the Somerset area.

Eventually, 10 years later, BBC Somerset Sound was born.

The radio station hit the airwaves for the first time on 11 April 1988.

At that time, its main studios were based at Paul Street in Taunton with a smaller studio in Yeovil.

In August 2002, BBC Somerset Sound moved to state-of-the-art studios opposite County Hall in Taunton.

Steve Haigh at the launch of BBC Somerset Sound

In the same year, it also changed frequency from 1323AM to 1566AM to avoid interference from a Russian radio station.

In December 2007, it was launched on 95.5fm making it available to people all over the county and beyond.

Big white bus!

BBC Somerset, as it is now known, is the only local speech-based radio station and covers the shire county.

The station provides all the latest news and information for the county, and the shows are a lively mix of guests, debate, competitions, music and features.

BBC Somerset Sound's first studios on Paul Street

In February 2003, the BBC's Where I Live website for Somerset at bbc.co.uk/somerset was launched.

It's based in Broadcasting House and plays host to the page you're reading.

From May 2007, the BBC Somerset Bus hit the road, where it has been all across the county, reporting live from big events like Glastonbury Festival and the Weston Pier pavilion fire.

If you would like the bus to visit your village or event, then let us know! [e-mail]