Global Radio requests an OFT fast track

01/07/2012 - 20:13 | 19 Replies More

Days after buying GMG Radio, Global Radio has signed the standard Office of Fair Trading Hold Separate Undertaking.

Global Radio will also formally request a fast track reference from the OFT to the Competition Commission.

The Fast Track Offer scheme is a relatively new option available to the OFT in place of its general leniency policy, designed for larger investigations.

Industry experts predict a full review by the Competition Commission could take between six and nine months, so the sooner Global Radio can encourage proceedings to begin, the sooner the company can commence its plans.

A spokesperson told RadioToday.co.uk: “Global Radio is confident that the OFT will confirm the fast track reference to the Competition Commission in the coming weeks. As is normal with a Competition Commission reference, a monitoring trustee will be appointed during the hold separate period.”

Several radio groups have already said they aim to submit their feelings on the takeover, most of which are generally against the proposal.

Global Radio now owns six Real Radio licences covering (South and Mid/North) Wales, Scotland, Yorkshire, North West England and North East England, six Smooth Radio licences covering East Midlands, West Midlands, London, North West England, North East England and Glasgow, and two Real Radio XS licences covering Paisley in Scotland and Manchester.

It will only become known once the Competition Commission has conducted its review, what Global Radio’s plans are for the future of all three brands.

Speculation suggests most Real Radio stations will become Heart but the future of Smooth Radio is a little more unclear, with suggestions it will either be replaced by Gold, or continue as it is but with a Global makeover.

As ever, Radio Today will bring you every update along the way.


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Category: Industry News, Top Stories

  • Julie MacLeod

    More radio stations networking from one location. What ever happened to Local Independent Radio. No chance of the students getting jobs in edia at this rate, what a waste!

    • http://twitter.com/stephendew Stephen Dew

      Don’t worry Julie. Don’t believe the rubbish about new talent not being given the opportunity to get jobs in radio. The internet has opened up a whole possibility of platforms for new content creation. And if students are good enough and genuinely have something to add to the industry I’m sure they will find the demand somewhere :)

  • Davewiggywiggins003

    This Is Not On Come On Please  Utv And Bauer And Absolute Radio You Do Need To Stop Global Radio Group Wright Now From Taking Over Gmg Now Please Come On Wake Up And Do Stop Global Now

    • Martin Kong

      UTV and Bauer can’t stop Global from taking over GMG.

    • MR SEVERN SOUND FM

      STOP SPAMMING THE SITE MR SEVERN SOUND FM

    • Radio Geordie

      Do us all a favour.
      Ask Santa Claus for some commas and full stops for Xmas.

  • Lee

    Why does OFCOM not seem to have any teeth. They must stop this madness of yet more networking. A sad time for ‘local radio’. CMG took chances with their programming giving us Smooth 70′s and American Top 40 – The 70′s show, and Real Radio with Ryan Seacrest. Let me guess the next phase now that Global Radio has brought GMG – Real Radio will become Heart, and Smooth will become Gold. Boring, boring, boring!

    • Martin Kong

      ofcom are the one’s that seem to relax the rules, so blame them.

  • Johne3toroamnash

    Just shows the arrogance of the Global/Heart  they should wait for the proceedings are finished was is special about them.

  • Phil

    I wonder if Global will have to let go of any of its licenses to move ahead with its plans?

    Maybe its AM licenses to do anything with Smooth or Real?

  • Radio Geordie

    What they really mean is:
    Hurry up.  We can’t wait to ruin these stations the way we ruin every other service we bought.

    • MB

      I think the previous owners did a pretty good job of ruining Real Radio North West by sacking the highly popular breakfast presenters. 

      Then there was the bizarre decision to put Ryan Seacrest on the Real network late at night.

      If Global do get this waved through they should make a call to Ditchy & Salty for breakfast on Heart North West.
        

  • A Word In Your Ear

    MB – Ditchy & Salty went for other reasons, it was something that was a long time in coming! It may not have been popular, but there was no other option.

  • MrSevernSoundFM

    I Do Think Global Should Sell Heart 106.2 To Lincs FM Group For £1 And That Is A Good Deal For Them. Lincs FM Group Need Heart 106.2 And That Is So True.

    • Martin Kong

      Okay, step away from the keyboard.

      • MrSevernSoundFM

        I Do Think Global Should Sell Heart 106.2 To Lincs FM Group For £1 And That Is A Good Deal For Them. Lincs FM Group Need Heart 106.2 And That Is So True.

  • Mylastrolo

    Good news for the radio industry.

    In no time at all,Parky and Ash will whip the newly acquired GMG networks into shape, and morph them into something far more useful. If he’s sensible, he’ll centre the operation in the southeast too. ( What is this pre-occupation with ay-up mushy pea Manchester?) London is the cultral, advertising and economic centre of the UK.
    The BBC may have done a re-location deal with Nu Laba, but there’s no need for anyone else to fall for this politically driven pointless folly.
    Dicky Park is already marking up a brace of red and yellow cards for the current mis-management team. I hope they’ll be made to explain their position, before they segue to the street.
    I for one can fully understand why the Scott Trust washed their hands of the whole TV and radio endeavour and cashed in their chips. Can you actually name a publishing company who have been able to get to grips with running radio stations?
    (O.K Sir Ray does his best over at Tin-pot-dle.)
    With even more consolidation, there will be sad Luddities who mourn the passing of “local radio” complete with lost cats, snowline, DJ Dave Doublelisp, OBs from the County Show, and Doris on every phone-in.
    But I’m not one of them. BBC Local radio have happily retained that angle since the 1970s.
    Most punters are not stuck in a paroachial timewarp. They like big, glossy, well produced and consistent brands. They also shop at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco, not the corner shop.
    Global know this, and are good at deconstructing, and repurposing redundant products. So far they have got their priorities just right, by investing in state of the art studios and air-talent to match.

    • Richard Shops

      “Can you actually name a publishing company who have been able to get to grips with running radio stations?”

      Bauer – publishing company – don’t seem to be doing a bad job with their stations (nor emap before them).

      Just saying.

  • http://twitter.com/Scratchy7929 paul archer

    Think Global will sell off Gold to Absolute & XFM to Bauer.They will keep Real radio but merge Smooth into Heart.Global could then specialise in Modern Pop & Soft Adult Contemporary.Absolute would specialise in Hot Adult Contemporary.Bauer having station’s that compete against both plus specialising in heavy / hard rock end.

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