106: Colin Mason - Executive, Swansea Sound, Chiltern and BBC local
From history student to running one of the early commercial radio networks. In this hour of ‘Radio Moments – Conversations, Colin Mason tells of his move to the US where he indulged his love of radio whilst studying – and how he persuaded his way through the doors of local stations there. Back home, after a short spell at the BBC, he moved to TV as a continuity announcer before returning to the Corporation at BBC Radio Durham and Radio Bristol. As commercial radio began across the UK, Colin tells how it felt to set up the first station in Wales – Swansea Sound, before moving to launch Chiltern Radio. As the Chiltern network grew into Northampton, Milton Keynes - and Wales and the South West on winning the regional licence, Colin headed the management team for 14 years. He opens up the struggle to retain control – and how it felt when his efforts were thwarted and the stations were bought by GWR. Colin also tells of his radio ventures whilst serving in the Forces -and those in his new home in the Channel Islands. He shares his thoughts too on the future of radio, and his philosophy – ‘This is showbiz – be an entertainer’. This is the Colin Mason story – in his own words.