Archive for March, 2005
New BBC Radio Player brings record results
The new BBC Radio Player – re-launched at the end of January – exceeded all expectations in February as on-demand radio listening raced to a record nine million requests (up by more than 25 per cent on January) and total listening hours (live and on-demand) reached 11.2 million for the month.
Mansfield 103.2 station boss killed in car crash
TRIBUTES have been paid to Mansfield 103.2 radio station chairman and former district councillor Alex McKie, who died in a car accident on Saturday.
The 75-year-old was driving along Mill Lane, just outside Edwinstowe, towards Kings Clipstone at around 2.45pm when his Vauxhall Cavalier left the road and overturned.
Radio channels to have 'four digit numbers'
As part of the EPG changes, a Sky spokesperson has confirmed to Sky Digi Online that all the radio channels will carry four digit numbers instead of the current three. The spokesperson said “the changes are being made to increase better navigability will happen in the final quarter of this year.”
Emap publish statement in relation to Scottish Radio Holdings plc
In view of reports in several of today’s newspapers, Emap wishes to clarify its position in relation to its interest in the possibility of making a cash offer for SRH. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board of Emap has made no formal approach to the Board of SRH since acquiring its shareholding.
Steve Parkinson Appointed as National Brand Director for Emap
Emap Performance has appointed Steve Parkinson, marketing director of Chrysalis Radio and managing director of the group?s London-based Heart 106.2, as National Brand Director.
Steve?s new role will encompass development of all Emap?s national radio brands – Kiss, Magic, Kerrang!, Q, Smash Hits, The Hits, Heat and Mojo ? as well as growing and exploiting cross-promotional opportunities across Emap?s unrivalled multi-platform portfolio.
Swansea Local Radio scoops major names for its trial broadcast
Swansea Local Radio, backed by Laser Broadcasting Ltd, have scooped two major South Wales talents for their new trial radio service.
Swansea Local Radio, broadcasting from the Rugby Football Club in St Helen?s, aims to bring a vibrant alternative to the existing stations – truly ?local? news travel and information ? as well as excellent music brought to you by the cr?me of local talented presenters.
Update on proposed merger of Capital Radio plc and GWR Group plc
The Boards of Capital Radio plc (Capital Radio) and GWR Group plc (GWR) provided shareholders in both companies with an update on the proposed merger (the ?Merger?) of the two companies announced on 29 September 2004 and also on current trading for both Groups.
PURE Digital's 500,000th Radio
PURE Digital ? the world leader in DAB digital radio ? announces that it has reached the half-million unit milestone in its sales of digital radios.
The PURE brand, established in 2002, has rapidly become the leading provider of DAB digital radios with a reputation for innovation and quality in the digital radio market.
Ofcom publish reasons for awarding of Cornwall FM licence
The FM local commercial radio licence for the county of Cornwall was awarded on 7 March 2005 to Atlantic Broadcasting Limited (Atlantic FM).
Today ofcom announce why they made the decision they did, and is re-produced below:
Ofcom publish reasons for awarding of Belfast FM licence
The FM local commercial radio licence for the city of Belfast and the surrounding area was awarded on 7 March 2005 to Ulster Television plc (?U105″).
Today Ofcom announce why the licence was awarded.
BBC Radio 1 announces new presenter for Sunday Surgery
BBC Radio 1 announced today 1Xtra presenter Letitia as the new host of Sunday Surgery, the station's weekly phone-in show dealing with emotional, sexual and health issues for its young audience.
Emma B, who joined Radio 1 in 1998 and has presented the Surgery since 2000, will leave the station at the end of March.
Spotlight on Forest of Dean Radio – the first Ofcom community radio licence
Forest of Dean Radio is the first community radio station in the country to be issued a brand new type of radio broadcast licence.
The new five year community licences are being introduced following a two year Government pilot scheme to test out the case for Community Radio.
Mr B takes charge at The Bee – the new local station for Blackburn
A local business executive turned radio presenter who has become one of the best-known voices in East Lancashire has been appointed manager of The Bee, which goes on air in the Blackburn and Darwen area this summer.
Thirty-year-old Simon Brierley has been breakfast show presenter on Burnley-based 2BR for the past year, combining the role with that of brand manager.
First community radio licence awarded to Forest of Dean
Community radio is a new sector of radio being introduced in the UK . It will become the third tier of radio which will complement the mix of services already provided by the BBC and commercial radio sectors.
The characteristics of community radio are distinct from commercial radio in that the services will cover a small geographical area and be provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community of interest.
Five applications for Norwich FM licence
Ofcom has received five applications for the Norwich FM Independent Radio Licence.
The full applications for this licence will be published on the Ofcom website shortly.
Radio City 96.7 is official partner for Capital of Culture
Culture Company has signed a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with award winning Radio City 96.7. From today (March 9th), the Liverpool-based station will be ”The Official Radio Station of the Capital of Culture”.
The official ’08 partner agreement follows sponsorship deals with law firm Hill Dickinson and United Utilities.
Final steps in completing the merger of GWR and Capital Radio
Capital Radio and GWR are pleased to announce the satisfaction of all the pre-conditions to the merger of Capital Radio and GWR, which are set out in the pre-conditional merger announcement dated 29 September 2004, following today’s announcement by the OFT that it has accepted undertakings by Capital Radio to divest 106 Century FM in lieu of a reference to the Competition Commission.
Ofcom publish reasons for awarding of Kidderminster licence
Ofcom have announced why they awarded the Kidderminster FM licence to ACE FM.
Kidderminster licence award decision
When the Kidderminster licence was advertised last August, we stated that, given the small population coverage afforded by the licence, Ofcom would be likely to place particular emphasis on the ability of each applicant to maintain its proposed service for the duration of the licence period (Section 105(a) of the 1990 Broadcasting Act).
As a ‘smaller’ licence serving a locality which is not the sole focus (in editorial terms) of any existing service, we also said that Ofcom was likely to consider speech content more important than music proposals in assessing Section 105(c) – the extent to which each applicant would broaden the range of local commercial radio services available in the area, and that 105(c) might be considered less significant overall than Section 105(b) – the applicants’ ability to cater for local tastes and interests.
Ofcom awards new FM licence for Cornwall to Atlantic FM
Ofcom today announces the award of a new FM local commercial radio licence for Cornwall .
Ofcom awards new FM licence for Belfast to U105
Ofcom today announces the award of a new
FM local commercial radio licence for Belfast.
Ofcom advertise local radio licence for Swindon
Ofcom today advertises a new local FM commercial radio licence to cover the town of Swindon and the surrounding area.
Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 150,000. The exact coverage will be determined by the location of the transmission site and other technical characteristics.
