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As from the 1st of July 2008 FIP has been unavailable on the Astra and Hotbird satellites. This is apparently due to Canal Plus demanding a substantial increase in fees for carrying the Radio France services on their channels at renewal of contract negotiations. Services may be resumed at a future date subject to agreement.
FIP is still available by satellite on the Atlantic Bird 3 at 5 degrees west, and via the Internet.
The French text of the Radio France announcement is here:
http://www.radiofrance.fr/services/ecouter/satellite.php
We found this really good article on the web whilst having a look around for FIP bits and bobs. We tried to contact the author but his 2 email addresses bounced our message back so we’ve had to re-publish it without his permission. The original can be found here.
This station is sorely missed – it brought a fresh musical perspective to our city. — Susan Bentley, Compton Avenue, Brighton
I am a pensioner living on my own and FIP was one of my few comforts. — Jacquetta Benjamin, from St Michael’s Place, Brighton
I’ve been listening to FIP for around ten years now – it’s one of the perks of living here. — Bill Randall, Brighton and Hove city councillor
I know a couple who bought their house because it had good FIP reception. That was their actual reason for buying it. — Dave Mounfield, Vive La FIP
FIP FM, France Inter Paris, is a radio station broadcasting in Paris.
For the last decade or so, FIP FM has had something of a cult following in Brighton. The signal is heard loud and clear, though this had more to do with the signal being rebroadcast in Brighton by pirate transmitters, than freak weather conditions allowing the signal to bounce over from France.
The popularity of FIP is due to its lack of advertising, minimal DJ chat and its eclectic mix of music. None of your usual formulaic Top 20 moronic pop crap. It would not be unusual to have Dvorak followed by dance followed by trance.
Early 2007, the airways over Brighton suddenly went silent following a raid on the pirate transmitters by Ofcom, the industry regulator. [see Au revoir to French radio in Sussex and Brighton Fip radio bloke pulled off air]
This has led to widespread public outcry. The sensible outcome would be for Ofcom to licence a FIP relay for Brighton.
The station is still available on the Internet and via satellite feed, on Astra 19.2 E.
FIP spread by word of mouth. One reason for it being shut down may have been an article in the Brighton Argus listing the frequencies it broadcast on, which may have drawn it to the attention of Ofcom. [see City tunes in to Gallic station]
That the FIP relay got shut down may also have had something to do with the fact that a self-publicist and attention seeker going by the name of Iain Smith (it may not be his real name) may have snitched to Ofcom, which if nothing else got him featured in Wankers Corner in Brighton’s radical monthly newssheet Rough Music (July 2007).
In a first for RM, this month we’re giving the crown to…er, we’re not sure who really. Basically this month’s wanker is whichever killjoy is responsible for shutting down Brighton’s only decent radio station. No, we don’t mean Radio 4a (never a byword for quality, just check out that Rough Music show at 1pm on the 2nd Sunday of the month and you’ll appreciate what we mean), although they’ve had transmitters busted / nicked lately too – but those Gallic tune-sters at FIP. Since one enthusiast community hero from Hanover began relaying the signal of the French-based station around town, Brightonians have enjoyed a decade of eclectic vibes, without the crass ads and inane egos of UK presenters.
Whilst it was on air and before it was shut down by Ofcom, the signal in Brighton was rebroadcast on 91.0 MHz and 98.5 MHz. This was the same frequencies as in France, and may have explained lack of action by the regulator. It was only available in Brighton, and the fact that it was the same frequencies as in France, may have been put down to some local anomaly and freak atmospheric conditions.
Vive la FIP, who meet regularly in Brighton and have visited the Paris studios of FIP, have vowed to get FIP back on the air.
Dave Mounfield, who runs the successful Vive La FIP tribute nights, told The Argus he hoped that the station will be back on the air in Brighton soon and has announced the intention start up a fighting fund to make it happen. [see FIP fund launched to get station on air and Fip radio to make a comeback]
After seven years of continuous broadcasting purely for the listening pleasure of the Brighton people, for no financial gain, the powers that be have leant on the mysterious folk who make FIP happen in this groovy city.
It has made Brighton that bit less of a groovy place to be – for the time being.
We at Vive La FIP are appalled at this bit of cultural vandalism and judging by the response from the public so are all good, honest Brightonians.
Such was popularity of FIP, that it is rumoured, maybe an urban myth, that people moved house to guarantee reception of FIP.
Jean-Luc Leray, who is responsible for programme content at FIP, says the success of FIP is simple:
The concept is simple and it is the same today as back then.
Music is all – there is not just one kind.
We have seven programmers whose job it is to research and choose the best mixes of music. They are like musicians themselves the way they blend the tracks together.
This is human radio, with real emotions.
FIP FM (France Inter Paris) was launched in 1972 by Radio France, the French equivalent of the BBC
We’ve reviewed this radio and its very good!
The Logik IR100 Internet radio gives you access to over 5,000 radio stations through your Internet broadband connection Including FIP. Global choice – choose from over 5,000 stations from around the world including the UK.
This is a stand-alone radio that uses a connection from any broadband wireless router, and does not require a computer connection to use.
In many places in towns and cities there may be open wireless access points near you so you may not even have to have your own broadband.
Streaming – stream stored audio files from your PC via your wireless router. The IR100 supports Real audio, MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and AIFF formats.
This product requires a wireless router and broadband Internet access.
Features for this Logik IR100 Internet Radio
* Plug and Play set up
* Easy to use navigation
* Wi-Fi enabled
* Displays track information
* Audio file streaming from PC
* Mains powered only
* 5 presets
* Clock/ alarm
The French Revolution that spread across the Channel
The Argus Saturday June 2nd 2007
“We take a trip to Paris to visit FIP, the radio station that proved a cult hit in Brighton thanks to one fan and his antenna”
“From chic Parisian cafes to the backstreet boutiques of Brighton, French radio station FIP has brightened the lives of thousands of people. But when watchdogs discovered it was being rebroadcast in Sussex from an antenna set up in a flat, it pulled the plug this side of the channel, plunging listeners into mourning. MILES GODFREY took a trip to Paris to discover how FIP is made and found steadfast support for the pioneering man who wanted to bring a little French flair to Sussex.
For more than a decade, part of Sussex has luxuriated in a veritable bubble bath of music from across the English Channel.
On many a day and night, the soothing sometimes sultry but always sophisticated sounds of Paris-based radio station FIP could be heard from the radios of those in the know or who had stumbled across the station by accident.
Its jazz or Brazilian samba could often be heard sizzling from the back of a Lanes boutique on a hot summer’s day or from the window of a Seven Dials flat as the sun set.
Its sound is typified by Charlotte Bibring, the smooth and sexy announcer, who every hour explains what songs are being played, with a voice that is the verbal equivalent of melted chocolate.
Few people ever realised its quirky mix of music and lack of adverts only became a winner in Brighton after one fan grew so smitten with the station he set up his own re-broadcasting antenna in a flat.
The man – who has still not been identified – is understood to live in the Seven Dials area.
Through his antenna, he brought untold musical pleasure to the ears of a diverse range of listeners, including shopkeepers, politicians and housewives.But alas, the soothing sounds of FIP are no longer with us after Ofcom, the communications watchdog, pulled the plug and confiscated the broadcasting equipment, following a complaint the law was being broken.
It has left listeners in Brighton in mourning – their object d’amour is no more.
Its loss has opened the debate as to why British radio stations cannot come up with a comparable station that is not cluttered with the usual mindless jingles, chart music and over-excited DJ’s.
So while FIP is off the airwaves – and there is realistic hope it may soon be back on our radios – we decided to take a trip to Paris to see for ourselves how sweet radio love is made.
Parked in a big BBC-like building owned by Radio France, less than a kilometre from the Eiffel Tower, FIP is the labour of love of about 20 members of staff.
It’s compact, but atmospheric offices are piled sky-high with what seems like every CD ever made and are littered with the sleeves of collectable records.
Among them is The Beatles’ Abbey Road, which just happens to be the FIP general manager Jean-Luc Leray’s favourite album.
It is ironic this most French of radio stations is so heavily influenced by that most British of bands.
Mr Leray said “It is the reason I fell in love with music.
When I first listened to McCartney and the others it did something to me. It is the reason I am at FIP and my passion. Without it I don’t think FIP would exist in quite the way it does.”
It is Mr Leray’s dream that Paul McCartney used to sit on his terrace in Western Esplanade, Hove, listening to FIP.
There is no one person or one thing that controls what FIP does and the station remains pleasantly free of the regulatory hand of the French government. There are no adverts and it is paid for in a way similar to the BBC licence fee.
This loose remit coupled with a complete freedom from chasing commercial success, has allowed FIP to develop in a startlingly different way to most stations since its conception in 1971.
It employs seven “programmateurs”, whose job it is each day to compile three hours of music, or whatever origin or sound, into a set.
It can take them up to eight hours, using their huge back catalogue of tracks.
The only direction Mr Leray gives them is to play music they like and that is varied. He said: “I say, ‘put on music that is good but music that is different’.
We want to give people music they may not be able to listen to anywhere else. That is the point of FIP, I think.
We can have one rock, one classical, one African song, but it must never be three songs in a row of the same type. That is the only stipulation.”
Vincent Provini is typical of the programmateurs.
He is forthright in his music choices and have very definite tastes but he remains anonymous. A DJ that is never heard, other than through his music.
He said “I was very disappointed when FIP was taken off the air in Brighton.
It was very good our music was being heard there and we had all heard about it for a very long time.
I like to think my music is reaching a wide audience and being in Brighton definitely helped.”
Crucially, while recognising the rule of law in this country, FIP would like to get back on air in Brighton. Whether that is via a proper licence or by launching an official FIP England remains to be seen but there is support for it on both sides of the channel.
Armand Pirrone, who after 27 years is the longest-serving programmateur at FIP, believes even the French may not get to listen to the station in its current format for much longer.
He believes it may eventually have to cave in to commercial pressure and give up its independence.
Mr Pirrone said “There have been very few changes since I have been here but I think in the next five years the government will make us change.
I think at the moment the president likes us but in five years’ time, who knows?
The world is changing and radio is changing. It would be a tragedy if we do have to change but I think it may happen.”
Sources close to the Seven Dials man believe he may apply for a community licence to get FIP back on the airwaves in Brighton.
Since it was shut down, a series of Vive La Fip tribute nights in the city have raised funds for the cause.
But until it returns, Brighton has lost a certain je ne sais quoi.
The man behind French radio station broadcasts that won a cult following in Sussex has rubbished claims he was damaging the airwaves or putting lives at risk.
Until recently, Paris-based FIP Radio was broadcast in Brighton by a fan who grew so smitten with the quirky station he set up an antenna at his Seven Dials home.
But after a complaint earlier this year, the FIP shows fell foul of Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, which confiscated the equipment.
Writing in The Argus, Paul Mercer, from Ofcom, said the broadcasts were causing “serious interference” on the airwaves, possibly disrupting communications used by the fire service and “drowning out” other radio stations.
He said: “It is for these reasons Ofcom takes firm action against people involved with this criminal activity.”
The man who ran FIP in Brighton, who refuses to be named, conceded the broadcasts were unlicensed but denied he was cluttering the airwaves.
He said: “Mr Mercer’s assertions may well be the case in other instances but not on this occasion.
“The transmission equipment was tested and maintained to better standards than required by Ofcom, especially in terms of spectral occupancy and spurious emissions, unlike most unlicensed operations.
“The transmitted power was very low, under ten watts, less than most stations, and was not interfering with anything.
“The broadcasts were on frequencies that are known channels of interference from powerful transmitters on the French coast and, therefore, are sterile’ frequencies along this part of the coast. There was no chance of them drowning out anything.”
A website – lovefip.freehostia.com – is now online. It gives background on the campaign to get FIP back on the air and links to internet shows.
The Argus visited FIP in Paris yesterday and will publish a feature on the station over the next week.
Cult French radio station FIP is on the verge of a return to the Brighton and Hove airwaves.
The Paris-based station attracted a massive audience in the city after a mystery fan, said to live in Hanover, grew so smitten with the quirky station he set up his own antennae to rebroadcast it to the city.
However, earlier this year, Ofcom, the communications watchdog, raided the mystery broadcaster’s home and confiscated the equipment after a complaint he was breaking broadcasting regulations.
advertisementSources claim the man behind the operation is considering applying for a community licence, which would grant permission to legitimately broadcast FIP.
It follows a successful Vive La FIP fund-raising night for fans of the radio station, which attracted hundreds of people with offers of support.
Organiser Dave Mounfield said: “There is talk of applying for a community licence.
“With this level of support anything is possible.
“People of all ages and background were arriving all day to pledge their support, from as far afield as Eastbourne and Lewes.”
As part of that support, tongue-in-cheek posters have now been created and put up around the city saying: “I haven’t heard from FIP for several weeks – do you know where it has gone?”
Badges have also been produced demanding the return of the radio station in the city.
Further Vive La FIP nights are planned for Thursday, May 31, and Thursday, June 28, at the Hope pub in Queen’s Road, Brighton.
A French radio station which gained a massive cult following in Brighton after a mysterious fan set up his own transmitter could be back on the air “within weeks”.Sources close to the man who began broadcasting Paris station FIP made the claim following a raid by radio watchdog Ofcom.
Earlier this year The Argus revealed how the unnamed man set up the transmitter in a Hanover home after growing so smitten with the quirky station that he wanted to broadcast it to the city.
He set up the transmitter a number of years ago and the station, which plays an eclectic collection of music and has little adverts or talking, grew hugely popular among a diverse range of the city’s population.
However the man behind the broadcast fell foul of the regulators following a complaint that he was breaking broadcast laws and Ofcom raided the property and confiscated the equipment, sparking outrage and dismay among fans.
But a source told The Argus: “We can’t reveal too much but were hoping it will be back up very soon. It could take weeks or a bit longer but we’re hoping it will be soon. But the point is it will be back up.”
It comes after the successful Vive La Fip tribute night held at The Hope pub, Queen’s Road, Brighton, which raised money for a fighting fund to get the station back up and running in Sussex.
Hundreds of people showed their support for the station by attending the night, organised by comedian Dave Mounfield.
Many offered to print T-shirts, stickers or leaflets publicising the cause. A substantial amount of cash was also poured into the fighting fund and others even offered to set up another transmitter so people in the city could receive the radio station again.
Mr Mounfield said: “It was heartwarming to see such support. We knew there was a lot of people out there who love FIP and to have them all show up and pledge this support was great.
“We’re going to hold more of the nights now and capitalise on this groundswell of support.”
Ofcom has refused to elaborate on whether the man from Hanover is to face legal action over the broadcasting but it is thought unlikely.
A spokesman said: “A decision will be made in due course but at the moment there is nothing else we can say.”
The next Vive La Fip tribute night is being held on the third on May 24 at The Hope pub. A special version of the night is also being held on Bastille Day, the French national holiday on July 14.
Supporters of a French radio station that gained a cult following in Sussex have vowed to get it back on the air. Earlier this year the Office of Communications raided a home in Hanover that was re-broadcasting Paris-based FIP radio across Brighton. Now, Dave Mounfield, who runs Vive La FIP tribute nights, says he will start a fighting fund to get the station back on the airwaves.
The people behind a French radio station which gained a massive cult following in Sussex have vowed to get back on the air again.
Watchdogs from the Office of Communications (Ofcom) raided a home in Hanover which was re-broadcasting Paris-based FIP radio across Brighton, earlier this year.
A man, whose identity remains unknown but who lives in Hanover, had grown so smitten with the station while in France that he set up an antennae which would broadcast it across the city.
It attracted a diverse range of listeners from politicians to shopkeepers with its quirky music and lack of adverts and chat, and had prompted people to move house just so they could keep reception.
However, following a complaint, Ofcom took a dim view of the set up and confiscated the equipment, banning FIP from the air in Sussex.
Now locals are to show their support for the European station by raising money to get FIP back up and running.
Dave Mounfield, who runs the successful Vive La FIP tribute nights, told The Argus he hoped that the station will be back on the air in Brighton soon and has announced the intention start up a fighting fund to make it happen.
He said: “After seven years of continuous broadcasting purely for the listening pleasure of the Brighton people, for no financial gain, the powers that be have leant on the mysterious folk who make FIP happen in this groovy city.
“It has made Brighton that bit less of a groovy place to be – for the time being.
“We at Vive La FIP are appalled at this bit of cultural vandalism and judging by the response from the public so are all good, honest Brightonians.”
Mr Mounfield announced plans for a new Vive La FIP tribute night, being held on April 26 at 9pm at The Hope, Queen’s Road, Brighton.
The event is free but donations are being made welcome on the door, which will be pumped directly into the fighting fund to get FIP back on the air.
