In October 1965, reports first emerged about a new offshore radio project called “Radio Channel,” which was set to broadcast from a former Italian naval frigate. The plan was to station the floating radio station six miles off the coast of Bexhill-on-Sea and to transmit pop music programmes to southern England.
The first announcement was made on 15 October 1965 in the “Daily Mail.” The article emphasised that this would be the sixth “pirate station” operating outside British waters and that its transmitter would be significantly more powerful than those of its competitors. According to director Raymond Offen, the station’s transmission power would be one and a half times greater than that of Radio London, allowing a broadcast range of at least 200 miles. The project was funded by two American businessmen who hoped to establish a lucrative advertising platform. Broadcasting hours were planned from 6 a.m. until late in the evening, with special advertising rates offered to local businesses in Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire.
Further coverage followed on 23 October 1965 in the local newspaper “Bexhill-on-Sea Observer.” This report introduced another key player: Patrick Nelson, a 23-year-old antiques dealer from Bexhill, who was acting as managing director of Radio Channel. In an extensive interview, Nelson explained that he had initiated the project with the motivation of revitalising the south coast of England, particularly Bexhill. He presented himself as a dedicated local patriot, promising free advertising slots for the town council and aiming to enhance the town’s cultural life through events and performances by local music groups. Nelson emphasised: “I want to do a lot for this town. It would be wonderful if it were a purely local station, but a small town alone could not generate enough advertising revenue to sustain the station. Nevertheless, we are planning events in Bexhill, such as pop shows and dance events.”
Nelson planned to broadcast music around the clock and to offer a diverse programme that, in addition to pop music, would include request shows and light entertainment music. Classical music, however, was not part of the plan. Particularly ambitious was the idea of providing a platform for local bands: each evening, a different group would be given an hour to showcase their music, with the most talented artists being offered a regular half-hour programme slot. Nelson stated: “We will avoid cheap publicity stunts – I don’t like them. We will conduct a survey among the people of Bexhill to determine what kind of programmes they would like.”
Radio Channel was set to broadcast on the medium wave band, within the 230 to 240-metre range. Nelson claimed that the station would have more powerful transmission equipment than any previous offshore station, ensuring clear reception as far as the Midlands. However, precise technical details remained vague, as did the exact location of the 900-tonne, 275-foot-long ship, which was allegedly being equipped in a secret shipyard.
Regarding staffing, Nelson stated that the technical team had already been recruited and that he preferred to employ Dutch or German crew members, as they were less prone to internal disputes than British crews. The administrative staff, however, was to be sourced from Bexhill as much as possible. He also assured that all business transactions, from printing contracts to general supplies, would be handled in Bexhill to support the local economy.
Despite the ambitious plans and bold announcements, the project soon disappeared from public view. No further news emerged about the conversion of the broadcasting ship, test transmissions, or an official launch. Evidently, the venture never progressed beyond promises and was never realised. The exact reasons for its failure remain unknown, but financial, technical, or regulatory obstacles likely prevented its completion. Ultimately, the idea of an offshore radio station off Bexhill-on-Sea proved to be nothing more than an extravagant announcement that quickly faded into obscurity.
Martin van der Ven, February 2025