Plaid MS in Last Minute Attempt to Save Swansea Sound

Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales West has called for a review into the decision by the Bauer Group to scrap the Swansea Sound radio station in a last minute attempt to save the station. Swansea Sound will cease to exist from September and will be replaced by a radio station covering the wider south Wales region, as far away as Cardiff.

Dr Lloyd last week (30th June) wrote to Bauer Media's UK Chief Executive Paul Keenan following concerns raised by listeners from across the city.

In the letter Dr Lloyd stated;

“The change of focus from a Swansea region, to on which covers the whole of south Wales is a factor which causes concern locally. There will undoubtedly be a dilution in the level of local news.”

Bauer also stated that they would ensure stations in England would retain their local brand and programming due to their “different characteristics and communities, which we think are distinct from the rest of England” leading Dr Lloyd to question why the same was not being applied by Bauer in Wales.

Dr Lloyd added;

“I would contend there is a stronger argument to be made in terms of protecting Swansea Sound given the cultural, linguistic and political differences here in Wales.”

The campaign to save the station gained widespread support from across the City with thousands signing a petition against plans to scrap it, and had support from Bonnie Tyler.