title: Actual Radio
text: # Actual Radio
  
  Actual Radio, Colchester is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Colchester & North East Essex in the United Kingdom. The station was started as a concept in 2014 by Pete Chapman, a former Essex FM presenter. The company was formed in 2016 and launched in Colchester on the 1st January 2017. On 8 September 2020, Actual Radio launched on the Essex DAB Multiplex.
  
  ## History
  
  The station, serving a local population of around 350,000, broadcasts shows from its studio in the city centre 24 hours a day. The Colchester station has firmly established itself as the main local radio station for the area. Key people include Pete Chapman (former Essex FM presenter), Phil Terry (former Dream 100 and SGR Colchester presenter), Andre Kimche (former Dream 100 presenter), Dom Atkins (former Ipswich 102 presenter).
  
  ## Technical
  
  Actual Radio broadcasts to Essex on the Arqiva owned Essex DAB Multiplex. Arqiva currently operates 11 transmitters in the Essex multiplex, Harlow (Rye Hill), Bakers Wood, Westley Heights, Benfleet, Southend, Great Braxted, Braintree, Colchester, Manningtree, Clacton, and Sudbury, which is just over the Essex and Suffolk border.
  
  ### Digital (DAB)
  
  | Multiplex Name | Bitrate | Short Label | Long Label | SID |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | NOW Essex | 56kbit/s | Actual | Actual Radio | C8EC |
  
  The radio station also simulcasts its output online, to provide the service on smart speaker devices and on their website.
  
  ## Current presenters
  
  * Pete Chapman
  * Phil Terry
  * Andre Kimche
  * Greg Potter
  * Martin Roscoe
  * Dave Gowland
  * Kevin Peters
  * Lawrence Ladbrook
  * Loxley
  * Susie Boo
  * Georgie Peck
  * Dave the Gardener
  * Simon Baldock
  * Dom Atkins
  