DIGITAL radio turned on some new players this week, with three transmitters being officially activated.
Among the new arrivals in the revolution is Redhill-based Redstone FM, which is hoping to bring a local voice back to the town – and draw in nearly 800,000 listeners.
Before Monday's launch, the Mirror spoke to Redstone FM founder and chief executive Des Shepherd, who was at the switch-on, about his ambitions for the station.
"We're bringing local radio back to this part of Surrey," he said.
"That's the thing that's been missing since Radio Mercury disappeared some years ago, so we're bringing a local voice, together with some brilliant music, and we'll be talking to local people about serious subjects. It's very much about giving this area a voice again on the radio, which has been missing for a long time."
One of the unique aspects about Redstone, which will broadcast out of the Belfry shopping centre, is that in the build-up and preparation for the digital debut, much of the work has been carried out by people who are visually impaired.
This has been an instrumental in creating a feeling of ownership among local groups, who will now be given the chance to present on the air, says Mr Shepherd.
And there are no plans for it to be a slow-burning success, with well-known presenter Roger Day drafted in to provide a big name and years of radio experience.
BBC mainstay Mr "Twiggy" Day, who will be presenting the station's breakfast show from 7-10am, said he was looking forward to bringing his A-list contacts to the listeners.
"I'm always excited at a new station.What we'll deliver, you just won't get anywhere else.
"We won't be limited to the same 300 songs that other stations are; that won't be a problem for us because we have a bigger library – and we'll use it.
"We'll try to get as many people in the studio as possible and we'll be trying to get the big names."
With a Christmas schedule currently underway, there are plans for specialist music shows to come in the new year, along with programming designed by the borough's young people.
