A COMMUNITY radio station in Weymouth has hit the notes in all the right places after receiving a financial boost.

AIR 107.2, based at Westfield Arts College, looks set to be able to make at least £15,000 from commercial sources.

The change is set to come about after a government consultation on community radio stations in the UK.

One of the changes to come from the consultation includes allowing all community radio stations to be able to raise annual income to a maximum level of £15,000 from advertising and/or sponsorship before application of any other current rule.

Prior to these changes, AIR 107.2 was one of 19 stations unable to make any money from advertising.

Meanwhile, Ofcom will now have the power to extend a licence for community radio stations for a further term of up to five years, where a radio station shows it is meeting its licensing conditions.

Carl Greenham, station manager, said the change in legislation would be a ‘game-changer’ for the station.

He said: “It will certainly help create revenue but we will still continue to be a not-for-profit company.

“None of us are going to make any money because we are all volunteers running the radio station.

“It means we are a bit more sustainable at the station so it should make things a little bit easier for the future.

“For us, this could be a game-changer.

“It’s very exciting to think we could compete a bit better in the market.”

Carl said they were possibly looking to bring in money through the sponsorship of programmes.

The lack of on-air advertising on AIR 107.2 has made the station popular among many, according to Carl.

Despite the potential of on-air commercial opportunities, Carl said: “We won’t take commercials because a lot of our listeners continue to listen to us because there are no annoying little commercials all the time.

“We are going to try and remain faithful to that.”

Carl said he expected legislation to come through in the next couple of months, suggesting a lot of radio stations would have their licences changed.

He said: “Hopefully we will be one of the first because we begin with the letter ‘A’.”