It's half-Christmas - so Radio ExeMas is back!

Festive station launches with 183 sleeps to go

In response to huge demand (and a few trolls), Radio Exe has taken advantage of half-Christmas – 25 June – to relaunch Radio ExeMas, non-stop Christmas songs whenever you want them.

It comes just after the summer solstice as the nights are drawing in, and as the UK Health Security Agency puts out a heat alert for temperatures soaring above 30C. Think of it like Christmas in Australia, and least until it gets colder.

Packed with every festive tune under the summer sun, Radio Exe and Radio ExeMas listeners also have the chance to win a luxury lodge break at Crealy Theme Park and Resort, complete with presents from Santa and a Christmas dinner.

Radio Exe’s breakfast presenter Matt Rogers, never one to pass up an opportunity to don a Christmas jumper said: “For people who say Christmas seems to start earlier every year, they’re right! 

“We wanted to be at the top of Santa’s nice list by bringing festive cheer to Devon, and now people can get their fix of Mariah, Wizzard and Wham by tuning to Radio ExeMas. Feliz Navidad!”

Matt celebrated the launch of its sister station with Christmas songs on his Radio Exe breakfast show on 25 June, with an interview with Father Christmas live from Crealy. Mr Christmas told listeners he hadn’t much downtime, even in summer, and he’ll now be ramping up for the big day in December.

Radio Exe's Brad Hardware and the North Pole's Father Christmas launch Radio ExeMas this half-Christmas (image: Crealy Theme Park and Resort)

Jodie Hodgkins, marketing manager at Crealy Theme Park and Resort said: “Christmas at Crealy is one of the highlights of many families’ calendars, so to tie in with half-Christmas, we’ve opened our bookings for the festive season and were honoured that Santa could spare time to join on air this morning."

The festive station is on digital radio across much of Devon on the Exeter, Torbay/Teignbridge and Plymouth areas, as well as being streamed on its own website (www.radioexemas.co.uk)  and on the Radio Exe app too. 

Among the early comments after the launch, Hannah from Exeter said: "I'm very confused and just woke up. Is it Christmas already?" 

Neil in North Devon wrote: "It's been a great morning on Radio Exe, but I'm tuning off for the rest of the year to listen to Radio Exemas."

And on Facebook, Marcus said: "Pathetic. We’re just trying to start the summer. Absolutely ridiculous."

He has been banned from listening until Twelfth Night.

Watch the (almost) simultaneous Christmas light switch on at Radio Exe and Crealy on this page.

Let there be Christmas lights! Matt Rogers on half-Christmas morning