GapeauFM in tune with the times for two decades!

While the idea was appealing, its realization proved to be a real obstacle course where challenges of all kinds were not lacking. The secret of success is the combination of a multitude of goodwill that allied to overcome difficulties one by one and finally establish themselves over time. The Marseille branch of the former CSA, which became ARCOM, for all the preparatory advice, Mathieu Dumenil for the hundreds of hours he spent at the bedside of the computer equipment, the Ville de Solliès-Pont for the allocation of a venue, the CCVG for annual financial aid, the numerous hosts who contributed to the programming, François Leval who professionalized the station, and André Scandale who tirelessly watches over the equipment.

18 COMMUNES Today, the listening area covers 18 communes for approximately 150,000 inhabitants. 'It is limited by the topography of the terrain and a low transmission power specified in the requirements. Due to our low resources, a Médiamétrie survey on FM listening rates is impossible.

On the other hand, we can rely on digital media, which show a range of 400 to 500 listeners per day on average (2024). From this, we can estimate global listenership at between 1,800 and 2,200 listeners per day across the valley and the Métropole. We are all very proud of this,' says René Long, the founding president.

The educational mission of the radio materialized through a studio set up inside the collège de la vallée du Gapeau in Solliès-Pont during the school year for a 'Media Education' project. Thus, about thirty young people, divided into groups of 5 or 6, meet for lunchtime workshops around the microphone. Discussions focus on life at the school, their outings and trips, their projects, the environment, their perception of current events, and reports they produce in the school courtyard or in class.

'We work regularly with the Ligue Varoise de Prévention and the Espace jeunesse de Solliès-Pont on learning radio expression. The same goes for EHPADs with intergenerational meetings involving the Mission locale,' the president concludes.

Finally, the station is going to rearrange its space for more functionality and friendliness. Soon, short videos will enhance broadcasting on digital platforms and will be available on social media. A complement designed to personalize the station and prepare the radio of tomorrow.