Black Country Radio has launched Black Country Xtra - a new online radio service which seeks to champion local creative, arts, culture and music.

Black Country Xtra will initially broadcast online and will feature a range of shows; from music for dementia sufferers to mental health support, and features on our local town centres to shows which give a radio platform to a wealth of community, arts and creative organisations from across the Black Country. 

In addition Black Country Radio and Black Country Xtra are now both available to listen via a free mobile app. You can download it by visiting the App Store or Google Play store and search for Black Country Radio. 

The new venture has only been possible due to support from funders and grants during the pandemic and with the hard work and commitment of the Black Country Radio team.  Billy Spakemon has been working hard behind the scenes to co-ordinate with a wide range of groups to get the service up and running and is delighted that this opportunity will shortly be available He said:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for local communities, creative, arts and cultural, and charitable organisations to get involved and gives a valuable platform for the great work and creative talent across the Black Country.” 

The 'Your Town' series of shows focus on areas including Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill and Dudley and will feature news on local towns, the people and the businesses in them. Brierley Hill is an area that will receive millions of pounds of investment to regenerate the area, as well as being key on the new Midland Metro Line, so Black Country Xtra as a platform will keep people informed on all the latest information.

Vicki Rogers from Halesowen BID team, will be representing her town and is excited to be part of the station. She said:

“I’m really proud to be part of this new venture in association with Black Country Radio. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase all things Halesowen and to put our local businesses in the limelight.”

During the pandemic, Black Country Radio, with support from funders and local grants relocated to state-of-the-art studios, with a huge amount of work being undertaken. They have recently been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, with special recognition for the support given to communities through the first stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

To listen to Black Country Xtra, and to see the full schedule of shows plus news stories, you can download the app now.