Original Aberdeen ask to drop album tracks

Aberdeen station Original 106 has requested a format change to remove the obligation currently requiring its music policy to be album-led.

Ofcom says that the change would substantially alter the character of the service so is seeking views from the industry and public before making a decision.

The station – which launched in October 2007 – was previously owned and operated by CanWest until a management buyout in 2009. It’s the only remaining station using the ‘Original’ brand and format in the UK after the South Coast one turned into Coast and then Jack, and the Bristol one also became Jack FM.

Original Aberdeen says it would like its updated format to have a requirement to play specific types or genres of music – including adult-orientated album tracks, classic rock and non-contemporary pop-rock hits. The target demographic of the station would remain at 35-59.

Existing Character of Service (as set out in Original 106’s published Format):

AN ADULT ALTERNATIVE STATION PLAYING AN ALBUM-LED, CREDIBLE MIX OF ADULT-ORIENTED MUSIC, WITH PARTICULAR APPEAL FOR 35-59 YEAR-OLDS, WITH 24-HOUR NEWS.

The new Character of Service proposed by Original:
AN ADULT ALTERNATIVE STATION PLAYING ADULT-ORIENTATED ALBUM TRACKS, CLASSIC ROCK AND PREDOMINANTLY NON CONTEMPORARY POP/ROCK HITS, WITH PARTICULAR APPEAL FOR 35-59 YEAR OLD MALE LISTENERS, WITH 24-HOUR NEWS.

Ofcom is seeking responses to its consultation by 5pm on Friday 21 October 2011.