New citizen radio Leibniz.fm: starting signal for fresh sound in Hanover!

New citizen radio Leibniz.fm: starting signal for fresh sound in Hanover!

The radio landscape in Hanover will be enriched by an exciting element from August 15, 2025. On this day, the new community radio station “Leibniz.fm” starts, which aims to impress with a wide range of content and a fresh concept. The anticipation is already palpable, as a musical warm-up begins on July 11, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. on FM 106.5 MHz and DAB+ 8C. A playlist entitled “Finest Selection” on Spotify allows listeners to get in the mood for the broadcast start now.

But how did this new company come about? After the withdrawal of the community radio projects “radio flora” and “radio leinehertz” in Hanover and the decision of the Lower Saxony State Media Authority in 2021 to no longer designate the city as a distribution area for community radio, the future of community radio was uncertain. But the turning point came in December 2023: the Lower Saxony state parliament lowered the advance deduction, paving the way for a new start in community broadcasting in Hanover.

A breath of fresh air for the region

On February 6, 2025, the sponsoring association “Leibniz.fm e.V.” the temporary license for citizen broadcasting in Hanover. With the allocation of the VHF frequency 106.5 MHz and the approval for ten years, “Leibniz.fm” wants to build a network that reports on current developments in the city and the region. The station's concept relies on a cross-media approach: content is distributed not only via the radio, but also via social networks.

“Leibniz.fm” has set itself the goal of creating a distinctive and reliable program. Music from the indie pop sector and artists who do not receive enough attention in the mainstream media will be part of the program, as will a comprehensive range of words on topics from culture, business, sport and politics. A good mix that will certainly bring a lot of joy to the listeners in Hanover!

Commitment from the community

Support for the station comes from various partners, including the Lower Saxony State Media Authority, the Sparkasse Hannover, the Hanover Monastery Chamber as well as the state capital and the Hanover region. This broad support shows how important the creation of a new community radio is for the region and that many stakeholders are behind this ambitious project.

Just one week after the first day of broadcast, the first voluntary editorial conference will take place on July 23, 2025 at Königsworther Straße 24. Anyone interested can actively participate here and contribute their ideas. So it's time to actively join the colorful world of community radio and raise your own voice.

“Leibniz.fm” brings a breath of fresh air into Hanover's radio landscape and we are excited to see what the station will offer us over the next few years. Whether concerts, exhibitions or interesting discussions – the new community radio has the potential to become an important part of the media community in Hanover. So keep your ears open and tune in!