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Pirate FM's daily video news hits a million

By James Cridland for media.info
Posted 13 November 2015, 9.40am est





This is an good-looking service from a relatively small radio station in Cornwall in England, where a man wearing an impressive range of ties (one shown above) reads the news every morning. You can see today's edition here.

The service is nicely monetised and has a bunch of good quality stories. It's a great example of getting the most out of your content: something I talk about regularly.

I'm hoping the lazy Buggles headline was only put on the top of this story for me.

In other news, Pirate FM has also been shortlisted for a bunch of environmental awards (press release below), and has recently launched a set of additional radio stations on DAB.

Press release

Video didn't kill the radio star - Pirate FM has marked one million views for its daily video news bulletin.

The Cornwall-based radio station was the first in the country to launch the news round up last October which, in the space of 12 months, has accumulated an impressive one million views.

The bulletin is produced in Cornwall by the Pirate FM News team, and broadcast on the Pirate FM Facebook page, Youtube, as well as across Pirate FM's websites. It features interviews, photos, and videos from some of the day’s top news stories, as well as the latest surf conditions and weather forecast for Cornwall.

Pirate FM’s Head of News, Tristan Hunkin, said: “Both the way people consume news and the sort of news they want to consume is changing. Pirate FM is proud to have launched a unique video bulletin that offers more than an in-vision version of that morning’s radio news scripts.

“It has meant that we have been the first to deliver video from the scene of some of Cornwall’s biggest news stories - giving our viewers a better sense of life in Cornwall.”

Thrilled with the figures, Matt Bunt, Head of Content said: "Digital output is a massive part of Pirate FM and these video news statistics, along with the surge in consumption of all our online platforms, show that there is a real appetite for this local content here in Cornwall.

“We’ve invested in new equipment and facilities, including a dedicated television studio and are continually adding to our video content portfolio. There is lots more to come, so watch this space."

Pirate FM’s Video News Bulletin is broadcast every morning on PirateFM.co.uk, on the Pirate FM Facebook page, and also on the Pirate FM Twitter feed.

PHOTO: (L to R) MD Mark Peters, Head of News Tristan Hunkin and Head of Content Matt Bunt celebrate in the TV studio with a special cake.

Pirate FM’s Growing Green Credentials

Pirate FM has been shortlisted for two prestigious environmental awards.

Business and individuals from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been whittled down to create a shortlist of 47 finalists for the 'Cornwall Sustainability Awards'.

The categories the Redruth-based station features in are 'Best Medium Sized Business' and 'Best Individual Contribution' for journalist Rachel Yates.

Over the last 18 months the station has seen a massive culture change amongst staff who, with the help of Polar Bear 'Pablo', now make sustainable business practice one of their main priorities. Scroll down to see a video of Pablo and hear about the work he does.

Initiatives spearheaded by Rachel mean upwards of 75% of waste is now recycled or re-used, energy usage has dropped and sustainability is now considered alongside any new developments or purchases at the station.

Pirate FM has also linked up with a number of charities and organisations to help spread the 'eco-message' across the Duchy and wider, including backing and helping develop campaigns with Clean Cornwall and banning carrier bags from the building long before the 5p charge was brought in, in support of Surfers Against Sewage.

Managing Director Mark Peters said: "This has been a complete evolution for Pirate FM, Rachel has worked tirelessly not just to introduce new ideas but to drive them through the business, get buy in from staff and has left no stone unturned! In terms of sustainability, our business has quite literally been transformed "

Rachel Yates added: "I'm delighted Pirate FM is getting the recognition it deserves for all the effort that staff have put into to helping the business reduce its impact on the environment. This is an issue close to my heart and to be able to make a difference at somewhere like Pirate FM, where we can then go on to help influence others, has been great - despite earning the nickname 'Swampy'!"

Awards co-ordinator, Veryan Jones, from Cornwall Council said: "Across our 12 categories we've had countless entries from leading companies that have shown that they are at the forefront of sustainability and innovation in business.

"It's always a joy to see the outstanding work the finalists have delivered and I look forward to congratulating the winners and celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony in December."

The judging team comprised of a panel of industry experts from across the region including;

  • Caron Johnson, Eden Project
  • Cllr Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership
  • Cllr Jeremy Rowe, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health & Wellbeing Board
  • Judy Proctor, Environment Agency
  • Kim Conchie, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
  • Matt Coleman, Independent Environmental Consultant
  • Matt Hocking, Leap Design for Change
  • Simon Tregoning, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

The aim of Cornwall Sustainability Awards is to encourage, reward and gain recognition for the work businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are doing to improve their own sustainability and that of the area as a whole.

Winners will be announced at an evening celebration to take place on Friday, December 4 at the Headland Hotel in Newquay.

More information

Pirate FM
Cornwall, Plymouth and West Devon
James Cridland — James runs media.info, and is a radio futurologist: a consultant, writer and public speaker who concentrates on the effect that new platforms and technology are having on the radio business. He also publishes a free daily newsletter about podcasting, Podnews, and a weekly radio trends newsletter.