It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios at Priory Place in Coventry city centre.

The Radio Warwickshire working title was changed to BBC CWR by the time the station launched on 17 January 1990.

From day one, BBC CWR faced strong competition from the established commercial radio stations in the area.

This had the effect of alienating local listeners, whilst paradoxically presenters from WM, such as Ed Doolan, Malcolm Boyden and Tony Butler received high listening figures and distinctions with three Sony Radio Academy Awards, including Radio Station of the Year in 1996.

All local programmes except breakfast with Annie Othen, the afternoon show with Bob Brolly, Poles Apart on Wednesdays, and weekend football coverage of Coventry City, were replaced with programming from Birmingham.

Open Centres provide a valuable community role, so this is an exciting venture for the BBC.He also said that the 1995 closure of CWR was a "mistake": The decision was made under different circumstances – and now we're in a position to change it.BBC Coventry and Warwickshire relaunched as a stand-alone station on 3 September 2005 with full local programming for 15 hours a day.

A small pocket of poor reception in Nuneaton was later resolved by adding a low power relay transmitter on 104.0 MHz.

Local programming is produced and broadcast from the BBC's Coventry studios from 6am to 2pm on Mondays to Fridays and for sports coverage.

After their relocation to Coventry but before their 2022 liquidation, the station provided live match commentary of Wasps RFC games (as a part of BBC Sport's national contract with Premiership Rugby).