BEACON RADIO AT 50 | Skylab Radio

'THE SPIRIT OF 303' - CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BEACON RADIO

BEACON RADIO 303 commenced broadcasting on Monday 12th April 1976 and quickly became a firm favourite within the West Midlands and beyond, despite extensive radio competition both locally, and on a national basis from the BBC, or Radio Luxembourg at night.

Early Beacon was modelled on another legendary radio station - '93/KHJ in Los Angeles. The playlist policy included a significant focus on the Billboard Hot 100TM US chart rundowns and album tracks in particular - ensured a strong ‘Mid-Atlantic’ feel to the station. Disco and Soul was also a large part of the early station, peppered with big 'oldies' tracks called 'Supergold'. The overall playlist was intentionally small, just like many radio stations in North America which led to a high rotation (or high repetition) of songs... aspects which are taken for granted in modern UK radio. Beacon's presentation style was described as utilising 'neutral' accents, but it was also fast-moving and focused mainly on the music played.

All this was highly unconventional within legalised UK local radio in the 1970s... and regarded as controversial.

It was no surprise to report that Beacon attracted the attention of the erstwhile Government regulator - the INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (IBA). By the end of the 1970s, Beacon Radio had to change its management and on-air style in order to stay on-air, and also better reflect the communities which make up the West Midlands. However, a Mid-Atlantic feel to its music policy was still evident in the 'Better Music Beacon' era of the mid-1980s... albeit watered down.

In July 1987; Beacon expanded into SHROPSHIRE with a new service on 103.1 FM and a new office in Shrewsbury. The company also launched an 'Easy Listening' sister station in January 1989 - NICE 'N' EASY RADIO WABC. The name of the AM service was eventually shortened to RADIO WABC following a format change to 'The Best Mix of Golden Oldies'.

(ED: Yes the cat really does have eyes!)

Despite the strong emphasis on music, Beacon's voices became household names in the area. Speech elements over the years were equally memorable - such as The Nearly Famous Pat & Pete Show, The Kremlin Krew, The Talk of The Midlands, Midnight Line, along with the hour-long nightly news programme - BEACON REPORT. There were also the longstanding staples such as The Beacon Song Search, Beacon's Big Deal, Supergold Sunday, Beacon by Request, The Wide World of Sport and Night School. Beacon maintained a strong presence across the area with regular outside broadcasts or other promotional activities - cultivating into The Beacon Radio Motor Show at Himley Hall.

The station also gave away many cars through the years, plus £10,000 and even a new-build house to listeners in various competitions.

If you tune into Beacon's former FM and DAB frequencies in the West Midlands and Shropshire right now... the station is still broadcasting, however it is now part of Bauer Media's wider ‘HITS RADIO’ brand across the UK.

Beacon Radio was a pioneering station which inspired many of ‘Team Skylab’ and friends of the station. Without Beacon and its one-time stablemate 'Chill.'... Skylab Radio wouldn’t be here.

In April 2026 - Local radio people in the West Midlands, along with former staff of 267 Tettenhall Road wished BEACON RADIO 303 a very Happy 50th Birthday.

Skylab joined in with our own small tribute to a legendary radio station.

'THE SPIRIT OF 303’ - Skylab's love letter to the power of radio and the ability to inspire listeners, many of whom became broadcasters themselves in some capacity.

We also play some of the songs Beacon made famous in the 1970s and 1980s.

Join Skylab Radio Station Director - Paul Teague, along with Head of Programming - Katy Jay, Neal Bowden, Victoria Shotton-Oza, Rob Tovey, and Pam Stratton from Stockport Community SSDAB for an affectionate look at Beacon and radio in general.

'THE PRODUCER'S CUT' - features material not broadcast on Skylab Radio.

Hear the never-aired 'THE SPIRIT OF 303' - PART 2 music mix.

ALL MATERIAL is protected under Copyright - the applicable producer and has been included in this file for archive and/or demonstration purposes only.

Our sincere thanks go to Simon Prentice and Steve England at S2Blue, Jonathan Wolfert at JAM Creative Productions Inc, Linden Wade at Jingle Works, Muff Murfin and TM Studios.