Aircheck International - Spain
UPDATED: 04/06/2004
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AIRCHECK Spain
OCTOPUS FM: The one and only property & leisure radio station broadcasts in English from Fuengirola across the Costa del Sol on 98.3FM, in Marbella on 92.0 and via the internet stream. The station, previously known as Palm FM, was launched in conjunction with Octopus Property Services as part of the huge media publicity campaign that is currently in place. As of 2004, it was the newest commercial radio station to begin broadcasting to the area. Programming includes reviews, in-depth reports, competitions and of course, music. The station promises not to play hours of dance and trance to 'drive you crazy', or to pester you with competitions with naff prizes - and that is their word! Octoopus FM say that 'once you play, you'll stay.'
Output is semi automated, but live programming saw new presenters from June 1st 2004. Amongst the programming highlights, there's The Costa Clinic, which airs from 3pm - 5pm local time. The chat show includes features on living, buying and working in the south of Spain. Live programming runs from 9am to 9pm with automation through the night. Friday from 8pm sees a Costa Party Night until 11pm, Saturdays continue automated until 6pm when another party night show airs until 10pm and more automation follows. Sundays kick off with a religious programme from 9am, topical discussion from 10am, an omnibus of the 'Clinic' show from 12pm, a phantom presenter from 2pm, and the final Sunday show of the June 2004 schedule has a distinctly camp edge to it with amusing clips and stories. Automation runs once more from 9pm.
Output is streamed via the station's website at www.octopusfm.com and through www.pirateradio.com. The station can be contacted locally on 952 66 78 96, texted on 66 66 33 290 and e-mailed via studio@octopusfm.com. The station runs a fleet of branded Peugeot 206s and a colourful red mascot called Ollie the Octopus as promotional tools.
The radio station is an interesting concept, it being part of a wider structure of eight promotional, financial & media based businesses which come under the Octopus Corporation based in Malaga. As well as Octopus FM, there's a cable TV station, Octopus TV which runs on Channel S32 of Eurocable locally with a information channel for tourists and locals, Octopus Property Services S.L is a legally constituted and registered company under Spanish Law, and operates within all EU guidelines, OPS Europe is a marketing company for the benefit of people wishing to start a profession in the property market, Octopus Financial provides a mortgage and loan service, especially for those emigrating or setting up in Spain - they also offer a credit card, Octopus Rent A Car provide a service to both tourists and companies who would not normally be able to afford a fleet service, Octopus Golf Services arrange golf packages and events locally and internationally, and there's also a July 2003 launched Octopus Magazine printed and distributed monthly which includes entertaining and informative features for locals as well as tourists. www.octopusfm.com