kmfm

What kmfm does

kmfm is a local commercial radio station operating across Kent, UK, owned by KM Media Group Limited (itself owned by Iliffe Media Ltd). It broadcasts music, news, weather, travel, and competition content on DAB Digital Radio and eight FM frequencies covering Thanet, Canterbury, Dover/Folkestone, Ashford, West Kent, Medway, and Maidstone, with live weekday programming from 06:00 to 22:00 and reduced weekend hours. Its flagship on-air products include 'kmfm Breakfast with Rob & Numi', 'Getting You Home with Ben Pearce', and the weekly 'Kent Top 40' chart countdown compiled from Radiomonitor data.

Beyond linear radio, kmfm distributes content via a free iOS/Android smartphone app, online streaming, smart speakers (Amazon Alexa, Google Home), and kmfm TV on Freeview channel 7 and Virgin Media channel 159. Adjacent products include The Kent Podcast Studios (a B2B podcast production service), podcasts such as 'The Hit List Podcast', and the free kmfm Listener Club (VIP) loyalty program. Underlying technology is largely third-party SaaS: Aiir CMS powers the website, Fonix Mobile handles the 60099 SMS shortcode for listener interactions and competitions, and LiveRamp enables cross-channel advertising.

kmfm generates revenue primarily through local radio advertising and sponsorship targeted at Kent-based SMBs, supplemented by premium-rate SMS competition fees and ancillary services such as podcast studio rentals. The station competes on local relevance and multi-platform reach rather than national scale; its parent group operates adjacent Kent media assets (KentOnline, KMTV, regional print titles) that provide cross-promotion and shared sales inventory.

Name

kmfm

Legal name

KM Media Group Limited

Website

https://kmfm.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

kmfm is a local commercial radio station in Kent, UK, broadcasting music, news, and travel on DAB and eight FM frequencies via app, streaming, and TV, serving Kent residents and local advertisers as part of KM Media Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Commercial Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL), Podcast Hosting, Distribution & Listening Platforms (BPAMAJAD), Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC)

Keywords

• Local radio broadcasting
• Commercial radio station
• Digital audio broadcasting
• Podcast production services
• Radio advertising sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising: kmfm generates primary revenue through advertising, offering local businesses targeted radio advertising opportunities across Kent
2. Premium rate text competitions: Some competitions have premium rate charges for SMS entries, generating revenue per text message
3. Sponsorship: Branded content and sponsorship opportunities for station programming and events such as The Kent Podcast Studios

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

kmfm operates a local commercial radio station broadcasting Kent-focused music, news, weather, and traffic programming across DAB Digital Radio, 8 FM frequencies covering Kent sub-regions, online streaming, a mobile app, and smart speakers. It also offers a professional podcast recording service (The Kent Podcast Studios) and on-demand podcasts, while selling advertising and sponsorship to local businesses.

Product overview

kmfm is a local commercial radio group operating across Kent, UK, broadcasting via multiple FM frequencies, DAB Digital Radio, internet streaming, smartphone app, and smart speakers. The core offering is live radio programming including music, news, travel, weather, and competitions. Supporting products include The Kent Podcast Studios (professional podcast production service), the kmfm app for mobile listening, podcasts such as 'The Hit List Podcast', and the Listener Club VIP loyalty program. Notable shows include kmfm Breakfast with Rob & Numi, Getting You Home with Ben Pearce, and the weekly Kent Top 40 chart countdown. The station also offers advertising and sponsorship opportunities for businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Kent Podcast Studios: Professional broadcast studio offering simple and affordable podcast recording services.

Products and services

• kmfm Radio Broadcasting Local commercial radio station broadcasting across Kent on 8 FM frequencies, DAB Digital Radio, online streaming, smartphone app, and smart speakers, delivering music, news, travel updates, weather, competitions, and Kent-focused programming to adult listeners.
• kmfm Mobile App Free smartphone application for iOS and Android that allows listeners to stream kmfm live, access podcasts, and receive updates on the go.
• The Kent Podcast Studios Professional podcast production service offering broadcast studio facilities for recording, mixing, and production of podcasts for individuals and businesses in Kent.
• kmfm Advertising and Sponsorship Advertising and sponsorship opportunities for businesses including radio spot ads, online advertising, branded content, and event sponsorships to reach the Kent audience through kmfm's multi-platform broadcast and digital channels.
• kmfm Listener Club (VIP) Free listener loyalty programme offering members exclusive access to celebrity interviews, podcasts, prizes, and a voucher store, requiring registration with name, email, date of birth, postcode, and mobile number.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Aiir LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationAiir Ltd provides the website CMS (Content Management System) for kmfm.co.uk, powering the station's online presence. Aiir acts as a data processor for data submitted via the kmfm website.
• Fonix Mobile LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationFonix Mobile Limited provides the 60099 SMS shortcode platform used for kmfm's text message interactions, including competition entries, dedications, and listener messages. Fonix acts as a data processor.
• KM Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerkmfm is owned and operated by KM Media Group, a multimedia company producing media products across Kent including KentOnline, KMTV, and various print publications. kmfm is part of a network including The Kent Podcast Studios.
• KentOnline NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerkmfm is part of the KentOnline Network, a group of local websites operated by KM Media Group including kentonline.co.uk, kentjobs.co.uk, kmfm.co.uk and others, providing cross-promotion and content sharing opportunities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Audioboom: Audioboom is a podcast hosting and monetisation platform; relevant to kmfm's The Kent Podcast Studios business as both a competing distribution channel and a potential partner for podcast monetisation.

Broad incumbents

• Global Radio: Global is the UK's largest commercial radio operator (Heart, Capital, Classic FM, LBC, Smooth); its Heart Kent station is kmfm's most direct local competitor and its national brands compete for the same Kent advertisers.
• Smooth Radio: Smooth Radio is Global Radio's national easy-listening commercial station, competing for older Kent listeners and overlapping with kmfm's 'biggest hits' adult-pop audience.
• Bauer Media Audio UK: Bauer Media UK operates a portfolio of national and regional commercial radio stations (Absolute, Kiss, Magic, Greatest Hits Radio), competing with kmfm across format segments and national ad buying cycles.
• Magic Radio: Bauer Media's Magic is a national commercial music station with an adult contemporary format; it competes for the same Kent over-35 listeners and the same local ad budgets that kmfm targets.
• Capital (Global Radio): Capital is Global Radio's flagship national commercial pop station, sharing kmfm's pop/hits format and advertiser base but at national scale — competing for the same youth and family listener demographic.

Direct peers

• Greatest Hits Radio Kent: Greatest Hits Radio Kent is Bauer Media's local commercial station in Kent with a music-led format that competes head-to-head with kmfm for older demographic listeners and local ad budgets.
• BBC Radio Kent: BBC Radio Kent is the public-service local station covering the same Kent geography with news, music, and travel — directly competing for Kent listeners and share-of-ear with kmfm.
• Heart Kent: Heart Kent is Global Radio's commercial pop-music station broadcasting across the same Kent geography as kmfm, with a similar CHR format and overlapping local advertisers as its core customer base.

Emerging players

• KMFM (other sister brands under Iliffe Media): Other radio/audio brands within the Iliffe Media / KM Media Group portfolio overlap with kmfm in resources and Kent audience, creating internal portfolio competition for ad spend and talent.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kmfmofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kmfmofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/kmfmofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/kmfmofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kmfm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about kmfm