Fix Radio
Radio station in United Kingdom
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Fix Radio is a national digital radio station in the United Kingdom with associated websites, Facebook, YouTube and podcast channels. It has previously been the silver award winner of the 2023 UK Audio and Radio Industry Awards for best station sound. It broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio across the UK as well as online and mobile.
| |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Frequency | DAB: 11A Sound Digital |
| Branding | The Builders Station |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Vocational radio |
| History | |
| Founded | 2017 |
First air date | 26 April 2017 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | |
| Website | www |
Background
Fix Radio was founded by its current (as of 2023) CEO, Louis Timpany, to provide music, news and entertainment aimed at UK tradespeople.[1] It went on-air at 7am on 26 April 2017 with the tagline "We're Nailing It!" and special guest Charlie Mullins. The first song played was Starship's "We Built This City".[2][3][4][5] It specialises in trade focused content with dedicated painting and decorating, heating and plumbing, carpentry, plastering, and electrical shows.
Although it broadcasts 24 hours a day, only the hours of 6am to 10pm are produced "as live".[6]
It was initially launched on DAB digital radio in London operating out of the Spectrum Radio building in Battersea.[1]
2018 saw its first major expansion and the creation of Fix Media after a takeover of the Facebook group "Tradesman Banter," accompanied by a move to new studios in Angel, Islington.[7]
Broadcasts expanded to cover Manchester on 14 January 2019 at 7am on the SSDAB minimux.[8]
Broadcasting nationwide
In March 2022 it was announced that the station would start broadcasting nationwide by joining Sound Digital's national DAB digital radio multiplex after securing a national broadcasting licence and £950,000 of crowdfunding. It launched nationally on 3 May 2022 and moved to new headquarters at the Vox studios in Vauxhall.[9][10][11][12]
On 19 May 2023, Fix Radio confirmed it had signed a deal with TradePoint to sponsor the station's breakfast show, The Bald Builders Breakfast Show.[13]
In November 2023, Louis Timpany, the founder and CEO of Fix Radio, won Creative Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in London.[14]
On 7 December 2023, Fix Radio launched a poll to ask listeners if they wanted the station to play Christmas hits after its breakfast presenters had an on air discussion about whether it was too early for Christmas songs. The poll ran until 15 December, with the playlist from 18 December determined by its outcome.[15]
On 29 October 2025, it was announced that business coach Craig Wilkinson would join Chance Litchfield on Fix Radio for a new regular feature on Snag the Week.[16]
Notable presenters
- Andy Hodgson (The Friday Sports Kick Off!)
- Clive Holland, former BBC TV and radio presenter
- The Bald Builders, Social media stars, radio presenters, hosts of The Bald Builders Breakfast.
Notable former presenters
Awards
| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ultimate Builders Portaloo | Loo of the Year of Award | Building and Construction | Won | [17] |
| 2023 | The Bald Builders Breakfast | Audio and Radio Industry Awards | Best New Radio Show | Nominated | [18] |
| 2023 | The Heating and Plumbing Show | Audio and Radio Industry Awards | Best New Radio Show | Nominated | [18] |
| 2023 | Devaweb & Fix Radio | Audio and Radio Industry Awards | Best Station Sound | silver | [19] |
| 2025 | The Bald Builders Breakfast | Audio and Radio Industry Awards | Best Music Breakfast Show | silver | [20] |
| 2025 | Fix Radio | Audio and Radio Industry Awards | Best Sonic Branding | gold | [20] |
| 2025 | The Bald Builders Breakfast | The Audio Production Awards (THE APA'S) | Best Entertainment | Gold | [21] |
| 2025 | Fix Radio | The Audio Production Awards (THE APA'S) | Network or Publisher Of The Year | Gold | [21] |