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Worldwide FM to pause new programmes so to “re-organise and re-evaluate”
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 13 September 2022
Worldwide FM, the online radio station founded by Gilles Peterson, has announced that it will greatly reduce its service from the end of October in order to “re-organise and re-evaluate”.
Taking its name from Peterson’s old Radio 1 show ‘Worldwide’ – although the actual Worldwide FM name was first used for an in-game station curated by Peterson on ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ – the online platform champions an eclectic mix of music from around the world, with a self-declared ambition to ensure “marginalised voices, alternative perspectives and shared progressive values are brought to the forefront through music and culture”.
In a statement yesterday, the station said: “We are having to make certain changes at Worldwide FM, re-organising and re-evaluating the next phase and financing for the station. This means we will be pausing new broadcasts and shows, operating a much more minimal service from the end of October”.
The station’s website and presence on Mixcloud will still be online, meaning – it confirmed – people can still access “our amazing archive, great music and content to listen back to and enjoy. In the meantime, we look forward to enjoying these next few weeks celebrating our station and all that we have achieved so far, so stay tuned in”.
In his own statement on social media, Peterson said: “With regret I’m having to pause Worldwide FM from the end of October. I’m so proud of what has been achieved in the last six years”.
“WWFM was actually born out of the show I made for the Grand Theft Auto in 2013”, he noted, “and grew to be a real life music and culture platform helping develop a new generation of broadcasters as well as acting as a first base in the development of many new artists. From the early years hosting a handful of curated shows from different parts of the world to being home to over 150 resident presenters, WWFM has had a positive impact on our community”.
“It is with great sadness that I’ve had to make the decision to put the breaks on whilst I search for a solution to revive it, in the coming year”, he went on. “WWFM has had incredible backing from its supporters and listeners. None of it would have been possible without our dedicated staff members and presenters, who have been amazing and created something really special. I want to thank you all for your wonderful support, passion and efforts over these years and all the hard work you have put in”.
Peterson also confirmed that the Worldwide FM archives would remain available and that he himself would continue to host radio shows.
