Cool FM

Cool FM
Newtownards;
Broadcast area	Northern Ireland
Frequency	DAB: 12D Bauer Northern Ireland; FM: 97.4 MHz Greater Belfast;
RDS	COOL FM
Programming
Format	CHR/Pop
Network	Hits Radio (for sales purposes)
Ownership
Owner	Bauer Media Audio UK
Sister stations	Downtown Radio; Downtown Country;
History
First air date	7 February 1990; 34 years ago
Links
Webcast	Rayo
Website	Cool FM

Cool FM is an Independent Local Radio station based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. The station is owned and operated by Bauer and forms part of Bauer's Hits Radio Network.

The station began broadcasting in 1990 when its parent station Downtown Radio ceased simulcasting and split its AM and FM frequencies into two separate services. Downtown Radio continued on 1026 kHz AM and FM frequencies outside Belfast–and Cool FM was created to broadcast on 97.4 MHz. Initially broadcasting to the Greater Belfast area only, Cool FM can now be received across Northern Ireland on DAB.

As of September 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 503,000, according to RAJAR.^[1]

Programming

Cool FM plays a broad mix of popular, youth-orientated pop and dance music. Some of the stations most popular shows are Pete Snodden in the Morning with Pete, Paulo and Rebeeca and the Cool Saturday Show with Stuart Robinson and Deputy Dave. Cool FM features some specialised music such as Cool of Rock on weekday mornings, classic hits in The Cool Years on Sunday afternoons and Cool Goes Quiet, love songs on Sunday–Thursday nights.

Although station owner, Bauer Radio, packages Cool FM as part of the Hits Radio Network for selling advertising, Cool FM does not broadcast any Hits Radio networked programmes. All of Cool FM shows are locally presented and produced from its Newtownards studios.

Local news bulletins air on the hour between 06:00 and 22:00 every day. On weekdays, there are extended bulletins at 13:00 and 17:00 and headlines on the half hour during breakfast and drivetime.