Riverside Radio proudly marks its 10th birthday this week. Launched on 12th January 2015 as Wandsworth Radio, the community digital station has grown into a vital voice for South West London, connecting communities across Wandsworth, Merton, Richmond, and Lambeth.

Founded by former local BBC presenter Jason Rosam, Riverside Radio has provided a platform for local stories, music, and voices, while supporting aspiring broadcasters through training and mentoring. Reflecting on the milestone, Jason Rosam said:

“Ten years ago, we set out to create a station that celebrated the vibrant spirit of Wandsworth. Today, Riverside Radio stands as a testament to the power of community-driven media. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and grateful to everyone who has contributed to our journey. Here’s to the next decade of broadcasting excellence!”

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Riverside Radio is launching a charity appeal in support of Sound Vision, the station’s long-time charity partner. Sound Vision funds the highly successful Riverside Radio club for local young people, providing them with the skills and confidence to thrive in media and beyond. The charity appeal aims to raise funds to expand this vital programme, ensuring even more young people benefit from creative opportunities.

Listeners are invited to join the celebrations by tuning in to a special birthday broadcast on Riverside Breakfast with Jason Rosam and Battersea Power Station featuring highlights from the past decade, interviews with key contributors, and messages from the community. Donations to the charity appeal can be made via the Sound Vision website at soundvision.charity

Over the past ten years, Riverside Radio has delivered award-winning programmes, championed local talent, and played a pivotal role in uniting the community. As the station embarks on its next chapter, it remains dedicated to amplifying the voices of South West London.

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HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE RADIO

2013

Radio presenter and journalist Jason Rosam noticed a number of community online radio services being set up in other parts of London and wanted to set up a station for Wandsworth as he’s lived in the borough for the past 15 years. A meeting was held at the Battersea Arts Centre in May 2013 after Jason published an advert for people who wanted to get involved.

Over 60 people turned up to the first meeting brimming with programme ideas. Work then started on building on these ideas, finding a suitable studio space and raising funds to be able to pay for equipment. The local community was fantastic with over £4,000 being raised using Crowdfunding for our studio equipment and software.

We were accepted for a Big Society Award from Wandsworth Council of £5,000. Amazing local HIV Charity Wandsworth Oasis offered us a space above their shop in Battersea Park Road for our studio. Volunteers then began fine tuning their programme ideas and were trained on the software and studio equipment.

2015

As the end of 2014 approached a decision was made to launch the station in January 2015. A week of rehearsals took place at the start of the year.

On 12th January at 7.30pm the Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Stuart Thom opened the station while a packed launch party was going on across the road from the studios.

‍2017

In the Summer of 2017 Wandsworth Radio moved into new, purpose built studios at the Doddington and Rollo Business Centre in Battersea once again with help from the local community and our volunteers who raised over £3,000.

2018

In 2018, we were awarded ‘Digital and RSL Station of the Year’ at the Community Media Awards 2018 in Sheffield.

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As opportunities for small, local radio stations to broadcast on DAB Digital Radio improves, a decision was made to expand the radio station to boroughs surrounding Wandsworth in preparation for broadcasting on the new small scale DAB.

We decided on the name Riverside Radio as the river Thames and river Wandle connect our four London boroughs of Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton and Lambeth together.

2019

At the University Boat Race in Putney on April 7th 2019 Riverside Radio was launched with much fanfare, an outside broadcast and concert right by the riverside at Putney bridge.

2020

In July we were finally awarded a licence by Ofcom to broadcast on the London Trial SSDAB service. On August 1st we went live on DAB!

Won the Digital Radio Station of the Year in a virtual ceremony at the Community Radio Awards for the second time.

Built two new modern studios and moved into our brand new Broadcast Centre in Battersea.‍

2021‍

Joined forces with local secondary school St John Bosco College by launching a Radio Club for young people from 11-16 years to build skills in broadcasting and media while gaining an NCFE qualification in radio and boosting confidence.

Celebrated Local Radio Day by broadcasting LIVE from a passenger boat on the River Thames from Kew to Westminster and back again.‍

2022 ‍

30 Riverside Radio volunteers join the 50th anniversary Pride in London Parade in a special Riverside Pride float playing music and broadcasting live from the streets of Central London.

Riverside Radio broadcasts LIVE from the opening weekend of Battersea Power Station hosting the main stage and performances during the Festival of Power. ‍

2023

Global pop superstar Kylie Minogue likes a Riverside Radio Instagram post where drive time presenters Sarah and Jacob celebrate the release of her new album ‘Padam Padam’

The Riversiders Radio Club for local young people visit the studios of Audible and create their own radio drama.‍

2024

Founder Jason Rosam leaves the BBC and launches a brand new weekday Breakfast show sponsored by Battersea Power Station with a live broadcast from Control Room B.

As part of the consortium of radio stations and groups ‘South of the River DAB Ltd’ won the Ofcom licence to provide a Small Scale DAB Digital radio multiplex for south London which will launch in 2025.  ‍

2025‍

Celebrates 10 years of broadcasting to South West London with a charity fundraising appeal for Sound Vision who fund the radio club for young people.

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