Its original name was derived from the fact that its broadcast area included parts of the counties of Dorset and Hampshire.

Managing Director for the first three years, was Norman Bilton who joined them from Metro Radio in Newcastle.

The station gained its highest RAJAR listening figures at the turn of the millennium with a successful daytime line-up consisting of The Morning Crew (Richie, Martyn & Emma), Katherine Orman from 10 am to 2 pm and Adrian Clarkson from 2 to 7 pm.

[citation needed] The station originally broadcast on 828 kHz medium wave using AM from a transmitter at Fern Barrow, and on 102.3 MHz VHF Band II using FM.

[2] The new station, Heart South Coast, began from Fareham on 30 July 2010.