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Broadcast area | Birmingham |
Frequencies | FM: 89.1 MHz DAB Freeview: 277 |
Branding | Birmingham's Original Station |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Community Radio |
Ownership | |
Owner | Murfin Music International |
Links | |
Website | BRMB |
BRMB is a British radio station based in Aston, Birmingham, which is owned and operated by Murfin Music International. It broadcasts on 89.1FM in Aston and surrounding areas, on DAB throughout Birmingham, and online via the station's website and mobile apps.
Originally launched on 19 February 1974, BRMB was one of the first Independent Local Radio stations to go on air in the UK. It was acquired by Capital Radio in 1993, and subsequently sold to Orion Media in 2008. Orion announced a rebrand of BRMB and its sister stations to Free Radio in 2012, and the BRMB name disappeared in March 2012 when it became Free Radio Birmingham. On 17 August 2023, Ofcom gave approval for Big City Radio, a Birmingham based community station to relaunch as BRMB on 4 September 2023; Paul Young's "Come Back and Stay" was the first song to be played following the relaunch, and Jimmy Franks presented the first programme.
The original 1974 station launched the careers of many presenters who went on to become household names, both in the Midlands and beyond. Past presenters on BRMB include Les Ross, Tony Butler, Ed Doolan, Graham Torrington, Jeremy Kyle, Phil Upton, Caroline Martin and Elliott Webb. Butler is regarded as the inventor of the football phone-in, while Kyle went on to become a television presenter. BRMB also launched the Birmingham Walkathon, an event first staged in 1983 to raise money for charity, and which continues to be held to the present day.