The network has a public service mission to serve local audiences and provides local news and content from each of its forty-four stations. In , Jacqueline Baudrier, then Chief Director of Radio France [ 1 ] created three new experimental local radio stations. Radio France assumed control of all stations in , with the number of stations reaching 40 by the s. Its programming was essentially local except for music which usually came from sister station FIP, or national programming by satellite, called Programme Modulation France , combined with news bulletins from France Inter.
Similarly in , Baudrier also launched a new network, this time aimed at the over demographic , called Radio Bleue. By the s, it expanded its schedule, broadcasting until the evening and secured three FM frequencies from the radio regulator the CSA in three cities: Paris, Cannes , and Valence.
In , following a review of all radio services, Radio France director, Jean-Marie Cavada, initiated its Plan Bleu , essentially a vast re-organisation of its radio frequencies. Under the plan the local radio stations Les locales de Radio France were to be syndicated with Radio Bleue to form one network β the unified France Bleu officially launched on 4 September at am CET.
Expanding its coverage, local FM frequencies in small to medium-sized towns were re-attributed to France Bleu. Under the same plan frequencies in bigger markets switched to youth network Le Mouv' and FIP stations were drastically cut back to five locations. News bulletins from France Inter were gradually replaced with its own service, and journalists for the local stations now supply rolling news station France Info with news items, having previously relied on its bigger sister stations for news.
In Radio France chief Jeal-Paul Cluzel wished to create a regional station, finding the CityRadio name too limiting, [ 9 ] therefore nearby France Bleu Melun based sixty kilometres away was slated for a merger, signalling closure on 16 December after more than twenty-five years on-air. The value of France Bleu was starting to be more widely recognised. In April , the network achieved its record audience, achieving a 7. Mr Fillon is a native of Le Mans. In it was confirmed that local public radio is to appear in Toulouse.
