Heart Colchester

Heart Colchester broadcasts on 96.1 FM from Colchester in north-east Essex. Global Radio owns the station. It operates from heritage roots dating back to September 1981 and joined the Heart network in July 2010.

The station plays Hot Adult Contemporary music, targeting adults aged 25 to 44 with pop tracks. Daily programming includes local news updates, commercial breaks, and travel reports, alongside fundraising for Make Some Noise.

RAJAR figures for the period ending May 2026 record a weekly reach of 39,000 listeners. People tune in for uninterrupted pop music rather than talk radio.

Compared to BBC Radio Essex, Heart Colchester focuses heavily on music and commercial output. Listeners wanting in-depth local news or political debates often turn to public service alternatives instead.

More details on national schedules are available on the main Heart FM.

I listen to Heart Colchester during my morning drive through Essex. The music keeps the commute moving, though hearing the same pop tracks on repeat during longer trips gets tedious.