Source FM
Source FM is a Community Interest Company running a community radio station on 96.1FM from Falmouth, Cornwall, serving Falmouth, Penryn and surrounding areas since 2009. It is funded via local sponsorships, Friends memberships (£15/year), donations, and emerging paid studio podcast services, operated through 70+ volunteer presenters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersFalmouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Source FM does
Source FM is a Community Interest Company (CIC) operating a community radio station on 96.1FM from Falmouth, Cornwall, broadcasting continuously to the Falmouth, Penryn and surrounding Cornwall audiences since 2009. The station combines traditional FM broadcasting with internet streaming, iOS and Android mobile applications, and on-demand Listen Again replay, all running on a Broadcast.Radio platform with Myriad playout software and Sonifex mixing hardware. It also operates an external podcast recording service out of its Lodge studios. Content is produced by 70+ unpaid volunteer presenters, supplemented by a small paid core led by General Manager Hayley May and Chair Jade Dunbar.
The business model is fundamentally diversified across four revenue streams: (i) on-air advertising and sponsorship packages (Name Check Adverts, Promotional Messages, Show Sponsorship, Parklive Sponsorship), reserved exclusively for local independent businesses and priced from £300 per show to £1,500 for the annual six-show Parklive sponsorship; (ii) Friends memberships at £15/year (£10 concessions) supporting the station via SumUp; (iii) direct audience donations; and (iv) emerging paid studio usage by external podcasters. Source FM monetises its reach through community events (the long-running Parklive festival, Jazz Train Live concerts, Carols for Christmas schools concerts) and programmatic partnerships (Cornwall Mind, Cornwall Community Media Network, Falmouth University, CAI Cape Cod for the transatlantic 'Falmouth to Falmouth' programme).
The station serves four customer sets: local residents as listeners and event attendees; local independent businesses as advertisers; local schools, musicians, and community organisations as participants and partners; and now external podcasters as studio clients. Source FM's regulatory foundation is a 5-year OFCOM licence (extended in 2025, valid through February 2029), and the organisation is currently fundraising via public crowdfunding to finance the Re-Source Project: a new studio complex, community cafe and recording space at Kimberley Park Lodge developed in partnership with Falmouth Town Council.
Source FM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Source FM
- Legal name
- Source FM
- Website
- https://thesourcefm.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Source FM is a Community Interest Company running a community radio station on 96.1FM from Falmouth, Cornwall, serving Falmouth, Penryn and surrounding areas since 2009. It is funded via local sponsorships, Friends memberships (£15/year), donations, and emerging paid studio podcast services, operated through 70+ volunteer presenters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Source FM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where Source FM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Falmouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Source FM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advertising and Sponsorship: On-air promotions Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with three levels of promotion airing up to five times per week. Sponsorship packages including Name Check Adverts, Promotional Messages, Show Sponsorship, and Parklive Sponsorship. Exclusively works with local, independent businesses.
- Friends Membership: Annual membership program at £15/year for regular members and £10 for concessions, providing newsletter updates and non-broadcast volunteer opportunities.
- Donations: Direct donations from audience and community members to support the station's operations, facilitated through SumUp store.
- Parklive Sponsorships: Parklive Sponsorships starting from £1500 for 6 shows per year, with single show sponsorship from £300. Includes on-air mentions, video promotions, and website visibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Parklive Sponsorship - 6 Shows |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Parklive Sponsorship - Single Show |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Membership - Standard |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Membership - Concessions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Source FM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Source FM is a community radio station that broadcasts on 96.1FM to Falmouth, Penryn, and the surrounding Cornwall area, also available worldwide via internet streaming and mobile apps. It produces diverse music and conversation programming through 70+ volunteer presenters, and generates revenue through local advertising/sponsorship packages, Friends memberships (£15/year), donations, and event sponsorships. The station also operates community events (Parklive festival, Jazz Train Live, Carols for Christmas) and provides podcast production services from its Lodge studios.
Product overview
Source FM is a community radio station offering a unified broadcasting platform with multiple complementary services. The core product is radio broadcasting on 96.1FM with live streaming, supported by a Listen Again on-demand service. The station provides podcast production services, sponsorships and advertising packages, and presenter training resources. The Re-Source Project represents a major expansion initiative to build new studios and community facilities. Seasonal events like Parklive festival, Jazz Train Live concerts, and Carols for Christmas are key programming highlights, alongside community outreach initiatives including the Falmouth to Falmouth transatlantic collaboration and A New Outlook wellbeing series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Parklive: A family-friendly, free community festival run entirely by volunteers, providing an opportunity for community members to enjoy original music from local talented artists. Parklive has been running for over 10 years in Kimberley Park, Falmouth.
- Carols for Christmas
- Jazz Train Live
- Falmouth to Falmouth
- The Re-Source Project
- A New Outlook
Products and services
- Source FM Radio Broadcasting Community radio station broadcasting on 96.1FM serving Falmouth, Penryn, and surrounding Cornwall areas with diverse music and conversation programming, available locally and worldwide via internet streaming and mobile app.
- Listen Again Service On-demand playback service allowing listeners to access previously broadcast shows and content from Source FM at any time.
- Studio Podcast Recording Services Studio recording facilities available for external podcasters to record and produce their own podcasts at Source FM's Lodge studios, equipped with Magic Box and BluePack technology.
- Sponsorship and Advertising Packages Advertising and sponsorship offerings including Name Check Adverts, Promotional Messages, Promotional Message Plus, Show Sponsorship, and Parklive Sponsorship, exclusively offered to local independent businesses.
- Friends Membership Annual membership program offering supporter status, newsletter updates, and non-broadcast volunteer opportunities. Annual fee of £15, £10 for concessions.
- Parklive Festival Free outdoor community music festival held 6 times yearly in Kimberley Park, Falmouth, featuring two stages with local musicians, street food, and family activities.
- Carols for Christmas Annual Christmas concert event featuring performances from local primary schools at Princess Pavilion in Falmouth. Awarded GOLD at Community Radio Awards 2023 for Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year.
- Jazz Train Live Concerts Live jazz concert series held at Princess Pavilion in Falmouth, showcasing local jazz musicians from Cornwall and the South West.
- Falmouth to Falmouth Radio Programme Award-winning transatlantic radio collaboration programme connecting communities of Falmouth, Cornwall with Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, produced in association with CAI.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 7,000 weekly listeners with estimated 17,000+ local audience reach
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Source FM
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Source FM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Source FM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Falmouth Town CouncilcoreWorking in partnership on the Re-Source Project to create new studios, community cafe, and community recording space in Kimberley Park Lodge building.
- CAI Cape CodcoreTransatlantic radio collaboration connecting Falmouth, Cornwall with Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Joint programme 'Falmouth to Falmouth' bringing together community members from both locations to discuss shared issues. Won National Edward R Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation.
- Cornwall Community Media Network (CCMN)coreNetwork bringing together CHAOS Radio, Coast FM, CHBN and Source FM, supported by The CHAOS Group and BBC Radio Cornwall. Collaborates on Digital Skills Bootcamp and volunteer opportunities.
- Cornwall MindcorePartnership on award-winning mental health programme 'A Space to Speak Your Mind' produced by people with lived experience of poor mental health. Won Gold at Community Radio Awards.
- Broadcast RadiocoreWebsite provider and playout system (Myriad) provider powering the station's digital infrastructure and dynamic website with Now Playing information.
- Falmouth UniversityminorUniversity students from Journalism & Creative Writing course host weekly radio show 'Toss the Cap'. University broadcast students support SourceFM broadcasts.
- Buglife - Kernow WylsminorBuglife programme sponsor for 'Will Hawkes Wild Talks' show, focusing on pollinator conservation and creating 25 hectares of wildflower habitat in Cornwall.
- Local SponsorsminorWorking with local independent businesses for advertising and sponsorship including Falmouth Town Council, 4Tel Group, Allen & Heath, Falmouth Tyres, Jubilee Wharf and others.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Source FM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Source FM social profiles
Digital presenceSource FM compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Source FM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Source FM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Source FM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Source FM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Source FM
What does Source FM do?
Source FM is a community radio station that broadcasts on 96.1FM to Falmouth, Penryn, and the surrounding Cornwall area, also available worldwide via internet streaming and mobile apps. It produces diverse music and conversation programming through 70+ volunteer presenters, and generates revenue through local advertising/sponsorship packages, Friends memberships (£15/year), donations, and event sponsorships. The station also operates community events (Parklive festival, Jazz Train Live, Carols for Christmas) and provides podcast production services from its Lodge studios.
Is Source FM a public or private company?
Source FM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Source FM founded?
Source FM was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Source FM based?
Source FM is headquartered in Falmouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Source FM make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Advertising and Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are friends Membership, donations and parklive Sponsorships.
Does Source FM have an API?
No public API is recorded for Source FM.
What industry is Source FM in?
Source FM's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAE, Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio), with a secondary code of MPAIADAJ, Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.