Guardian Media Group Radio is partnering Cornwall radio consortium CKFM Kernow Ltd to bid for the new local radio licence advertised by Ofcom.
GMG Radio has taken a 37 per cent stake in the consortium, which was set up by radio professionals and businessmen in the county four years ago to lobby for a new commercial radio licence to be made available in Cornwall.
CKFM and GMG Radio will launch a station targeting the more mature 40+ market if their application is successful. The licence, which is expected to be awarded in March 2005, will cover a transmission area of around 410,000 adults in the county and will provide Cornwall with its second commercial radio station.
CKFM will be a music based adult-melodic station serving Cornwall only, targeting mainly but not exclusively mature listeners aged 40-59 and playing a mix of easy-to-listen to tracks from many eras but with an accent on the much underplayed and best remembered hits from the 60’s and 70’s.There will also be specialist music programmes including the showcasing of local talent together with intelligent speech focusing on the things that matter to the people of Cornwall. The South-West is not our target territory,” explains Managing Director John Grierson. “Our focus is on Cornwall and nowhere else”.
GMG Radio, owners of London?s JAZZFM as well as the Real Radio network and Smooth FM, is now the largest single shareholder in CKFM. The company, which was established in 2000 by John Grierson, often described as the father of Independent Commercial Radio in Britain, having started the local commercial radio ball rolling with Manx Radio in the 1960s. CKFM consists of a number of respected and successful local business people, and experienced media professionals with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of listener and advertising needs in the region.
GMG Radio Chief Executive John Myers said: ?We have a lot in common with CKFM. They?re as passionate about radio as we are and have an unrivalled understanding of the Cornwall market place. I am delighted that we will be working together and look forward to the launch of Cornwall?s new radio station.?
CKFM Managing Director John Grierson said: ?With Ofcom’s emphasis on a balance between long-term stability and localness, a partnership with GMG Radio gives even more stature to CKFM, and together we have put together a very powerful bid for this licence. Working with GMG Radio’s highly professional and committed people is a pleasure