Archive for April, 2006
Centre re-branded as Touch FM
CN-Group owned Centre FM is no more. The station re-branded as Touch FM at 12pm with an impressive launch sequence – and an on-air launch in Coopers Square Shopping Centre in Burton-upon-Trent. The Sugababes ‘Pushed the Button’ to launch whilst the breakfast host Dave James was the first presenter on the station.
Centre FM launched on June 1st 1998 and leaves behind it nearly eight years of heritage in Tamworth and surround areas. The re-branding of Centre FM brings the 4th station to join the new Touch brand. Kix 96.2 and The Bear re-branded earlier this year – and the new station for Banbury started life as Touch FM in 25th february 2006.
Ofcom Change of Control Reviews
Under section 355 of the Communications Act 2003, every time a ‘change of control’ – in other words, a station changes hands – takes place, Ofcom must conduct a full review of its continued output.
The review takes into account what effect the ‘change of control’ might have on “the quality and range of programmes included in the service”, “the character of the service”, and “the extent to which local material and locally-made programmes are included in the service”.
No more breakfast for Bam Bam
Bam Bam is to leave the breakfast show on Emap station KISS 100. He is currently on holiday but will not return to air after his contract was not renewed.
Bam Bam, real name Peter Poulton has been the host of the flagship show for seven years. He is leaving to work on new broadcasting projects. Robin Banks will continue to present the programme until a new DJ has been found.
Community awards explained
Ofcom have explained the factors behind the awarding of six community radio stations on 13th April 2006.
The six stations to win a new licence were Aldershot Army Radio (Aldershot, Hampshire), Beats FM (Cardiff), Cross Rhythms Teesside (Stockton on Tees), Pendle Community Radio (Nelson, Lancashire), Trust FM (Chesterfield) and 209radio (Cambridge).
All community radio services must satisfy certain ‘characteristics of service’ which are specified in Article 3 of the Community Radio Order 2004. The RLC was satisfied that each of the groups awarded a licence met these ‘characteristics of service’. In addition, each application was considered having regard to the criteria set out in section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (‘BA 1990′) (as modified by the Community Radio Order 2004). A summary of these criteria is set out below. The key considerations in relation to these criteria, which formed the basis of the RLC’s decisions to award licences to particular applicants, are also set out below. Where applicable, the relevant subsection of section 105 of the BA 1990 is noted in brackets.
Passion comes alive on FM
Dance stars Graham Gold, Matt Darey, Adam H and the popular Hed Kandi brand are all appearing on a brand new radio station launching in Sussex.
Passion Radio has enjoyed success as an internet only station playing a mix of classic and new dance to an audience of 53,000 music fans. Now, with an 28 day FM licence to broadcast to Brighton & Hove and having recently been granted permission to broadcast on DAB Digital Radio to Sussex the station is setting the South Coast airwaves alight.
BBC WM Bank Holiday Fun
Bank Holiday has never been so much fun – BBC WM is joining forces with Brindleyplace and The Mailbox to host a musical extravaganza from noon to 5.00pm on Monday 1 May 2006.
In Brindleyplace there will be a host of live music on the main stage, with everything from gospel to steel pans and Anglo Cuban Rhythm to rock. Chinese Lion Dancers and belly dancers will also be entertaining the crowd.
BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
BBC Radio 1′s Big Weekend, which kicks off the UK festival season this summer, is coming to Dundee across the weekend of 13 and 14 May 2006.
Major artists including Pink, Primal Scream, Keane, Sugababes and The Streets will play to 30,000 people at Camperdown Park during two days of live bands and world class DJs. The event will be broadcast on Radio 1 all weekend.
WRN launch Podcasting service
WRN, the World Radio Network have announced the launch of a fantastic new podcasting service – featuring a line-up of international content. From 1st May a fantastic schedule of content will be available for download direct from the WRN website at www.wrn.org/podcasting and from iTunes and other podcast directories.
International programme producers providing weekly downloadable shows for the WRN podcasting service include Radio Prague, Radio Poland, Radio Slovakia International, RTE Ireland and Radio Guangdong from China. This list is set to grow over the coming weeks. The WRN Podcasting Team will also be producing exclusive podcast-only content for the service.
Ofcom consult on RSL licences
Since Ofcom was established in 2003, the licensing of radio restricted service licences (RSLs) has been under the guidelines of the old Radio Authority. Today Ofcom launch a new consultation on the future of RSL broadcasting – including proposals to reduce restrictions on allowing commercial establishments to be granted long-term-RSLs (L-RSLs)
Other proposals include to reduce restrictions on licensing short-term RSLs (S-RSLs) in areas where Ofcom is advertising a new commercial radio licence or where a new commercial or community radio service has been, or is due to be, launched. Currently the rule says that no S-RSLs will normally be licensed within the coverage area of any new commercial or community radio service from one month prior to the launch to three months after the launch.
Joe Dwek joins the Laser team
Laser Broadcasting has strengthened its board with the appointment of Joe Dwek CBE.
Joe Dwek has been a keen observer of the UK radio industry for over a decade and joins Laser at a time when it is in the final stages of completing the first phase of a nationwide acquisition strategy. Eight acquisition targets have already been identified of which four have signed heads of terms. Dwek who has been impressed by Laser?s ?vision and the energy of its team? has a wealth of experience in industry and business.
Ex-Blast boss heads to Greece
Bobby Gee, former station manager and presenter of Reading’s Blast 1386 has landed a new job on Island 88.6 FM in Zakynthos, Greece, presenting the breakfast show for the summer season.
Island 88.6 FM is an English-speaking radio station that launched in June 2005. It broadcasts from the island, which has a permanent British population of approximately 3,500 and over 450,000 British visitors each year during the summer. The station has generated plenty of interest and positive feedback from its listeners, who are predominantly British; although the variety of music attracts listeners of all nationalities.
Virgin Radio in World Cup deal
Hyundai will be sponsoring World Cup fever on Virgin Radio in an extensive mix of promotions, competitions and live trails to really connect with the station’s football-mad national audience.
The car manufacturer will feature prominently in all the station’s programming throughout the World Cup and its build-up so that Virgin Radio listeners recognise Hyundai as the absolute authority on the World Cup. This activity supports Hyundai’s “Drive Your Way” marketing initiative and its position as an Official FIFA Partner sponsoring the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
CMR+ heads to Nashville
CMR+ Radio are now broadcasting weekly shows from the heart of Music City USA, Nashville, Tennessee.
The shows from Nashville can be heard Saturday and Sunday nights online at cmrplusradio.com from 6pm (UK time) featuring Ted Randall, Marc Green, and Matt Aaron. Some of the these broadcasts can be heard weekdays on Sky 0163 and in Europe via Eurobird on Tuesdays at 12 noon and Thursday at 5pm.
Further shows from Nashville will be added including artist profile specials. The first special being completed is highlighting Country Legend
Billy Walker direct from his home. Top British & International presenters complete the line up of shows and details of these can be found on the web site.
Masterclass at Radio 1 Weekend
If you are looking to break into the big wide wonderful world of ‘the wireless’ then the next Radio Academy Masterclass could be ideal for you. It’s being held at Radio 1?s Big Weekend in Dundee on Saturday 13 May 2006 between 8.30am and 4pm.
After the Masterclass attendees will get the opportunity to hang out backstage at one of the biggest free gigs in Europe. This event is only open to young radio professionals, members of community, hospital or student radio stations, or students taking practical radio courses.
Dallas Promotion for UK Producer
UK Producer Chris Stevens has been appointed as the Vice President / Creative Director of American jingle and production company TM Century.
Stevens is former Group Head of Production for GMG Radio where he created award winning imaging for Real Radio, JAZZ FM and Smooth FM. Before moving to Dallas to start work for TM Century last year, he was working for BBC Radio 2 in London. “Chris has brought many new influences into our sounds and styles. He was the man for the job? says TM Century CEO David Graupner.
Capital name new Programmer
GCap Media have appointed Scott Muller, the programme director of Sydney radio station Nova 969, to replace Nik Goodman at Capital Radio. Goodman left the station last week, along with managing director Keith Pringle.
Scott was responsible for the successful launch of Nova 969, which took the number one spot in a competitive metropolitan market with a similar format and advertising inventory policy to Capital Radio. He was recently voted Australian Programme Director of the Year.
Ofcom explain Saga NE award
Ofcom have published the reason why they awarded the Northeast licence to Saga out of a total of 13 strong applications.
The RLC considered that Saga?s application was a particularly strong one across all four statutory criteria. Saga?s programming proposals contained a suitable proportion of local material and locally-made programming.
Southend licence award explained
Ofcom have today published details of the reason why the recent licence award in Southend was won by Southend Radio.
The RLC felt that the combined backing of Stockvale Limited and Provincial Radio Limited gives Southend Radio a strong degree of financial stability, and appropriate experience of operating small stations in similar markets nearby. The involvement of Provincial Radio Limited (which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tindle Radio) would give Southend Radio the opportunity to offer a combined advertising sell, which would be likely to place the new service in a much stronger financial position in relation to the heritage station Essex FM than might otherwise be the case.
New station for Cambridge
Cambridge was just one of the locations which received a new community radio licence award last week from Ofcom.
209 Radio exist to provide support and training for the local community in Cambridge to make relevant programmes, gaining skills and as they say on their website – to make friends along the way.
Yellow card for Touch Coventry
Touch FM 96.2 (formerly known as Kix 96.2 FM) has been issued with a temporary ‘Yellow Card’ from Ofcom for breaching their format.
Content Sampling Reports is the new buzz term at Ofcom as they concentrate on output rather than input – relaxing rules on how the programme is made, but concentrating on what the listener hears. The new reports are to be the main tool by which Ofcom will regulate stations, as outlined in the end-of-consultation Regulatory Statement on ‘Radio – Preparing for the Future (Phase 2)’, published in February.
Heart Breakfast goes national
One year on since the Jamie Theakston breakfast show went live, it is now broadcast nationally on DAB. The show went live on the 18th April and is delivered via five digital Heart regions which include Central Scotland, North East, North West, Yorkshire, and South Wales & the West.
The show on DAB will be a ?re-packaged? version of the Jamie Theakston breakfast show, which will be broadcast from 7am and 10am regionally. The London 106.2 FM Jamie Theakston Breakfast Show will continue to be broadcast in London between 6am and 9am.
100th turn-on for Digital One
The world’s largest DAB digital radio network, operated by Digital One, turned on its 100th transmitter at Preseli in southwest Wales today.
The Preseli transmitter brings national commercial DAB digital radio coverage to more than 140,000 people in the area. As a result, DAB digital radio owners will be able to start enjoying Planet Rock, Capital Life, Core, Oneword, Virgin Radio, Classic FM and talkSPORT.
Six community licences awarded
Ofcom today announces the award of a further six new community radio licences, bringing the total number of community radio licences awarded to date to 99.
Community radio is a new sector of radio being introduced in the UK. It is a third tier of radio which complements 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 cover a small geographical area and are 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.
Radio station to release song
Radio Tatras international are today releasing a song which was originally meant as a promotional tool to celebrate the first birthday of the international station. The track, called Twenty Four Seven Go has been recorded by Fantasy World vs RTI and will be published via iTunes stores by DWP Records based in Melbourne.
MD and PD to exit Capital Radio
Capital Radio Managing Director Keith Pringle and Programme Director Nik Goodman are stepping down from their positions with immediate effect.
The latest departures from the newly merged company follow in the footsteps of David Mansfield, formerly Capital’s boss, commercial director Linda Smith, operations director Paul Davies and Graham Bryce, the managing director of Choice and Capital Gold.
Broadcasting House re-opened
Her Majesty The Queen today visited BBC Broadcasting House to mark the 80th anniversary of the granting of the Corporation’s Royal Charter.
The Queen officially re-opened the original Broadcasting House in Portland Place, which had recently been refurbished as a part of a redevelopment of the site.
Adrian Goldberg to quit BBC WM
Adrian Goldberg is to step down as presenter of BBC WM’s Breakfast Show after three years. Keith Beech, Managing Editor, BBC WM, says: “Adrian is leaving the station to pursue other interests and we’re sad to see him go as he’s made a tremendous contribution to BBC WM over the last three years.
“However, we are talking to Adrian about doing other projects for the radio station so it won’t be the last the listeners hear from him.”
Capital and Smooth FM pay-out
Wednesday turned out to be an expensive day for two London radio stations. Capital Radio started off the day by giving away ?37,200 to Sarah from Ascot who managed to guess that the London Sound was two people playing table football.
Meanwhile at the end of the day 102.2 Smooth FM gave away the biggest cash prize on radio this century – ?118,454 – to a mum of two from Essex who guessed that the Secret Song was Diana Ross with My Old Piano. The Secret Song had been running since November last year.
Saga to bid for Manchester
Radiojam have exclusively revealed in this weeks issue that Saga will bid for the next analogue licence for Greater Manchester, despite losing out to XFM for the last licence.
It is the fourth licence win for MD Ron Coles, following successful station launches in the East and West Midlands, and Glasgow. Other applicants for the licence included GMG’s Smooth FM and RockTalk, Macquarie’s Diamond FM, as well as GCap’s Fun Radio and Chrysalis’s The Arrow – two digital formats that are yet to win an analogue licence, despite numerous applications.
Magic stations to relaunch
Emap are to overhaul their Magic AM stations in June, increasing networked output and changing music format. Seven of the eight services across the North of England are thought to be reducing their local output to the minimum allowed by Ofcom – a four hour weekday breakfast show originating at each station. All local programming at weekends will also end.
Magic’s music format will be re-focussed, from the current “greatest hits non-stop” mix of music from the past four decades, to a Gold format concentrating on 60s and 70s tracks.
