LATEST RADIO NEWS

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BBC radio bosses' expenses to be published in September - Wed, 01, Jul, 2009

The BBC is to begin publishing line-by-line expenses details for all of the national radio network controllers from September ...read on

Jackson music dominates charts - Wed, 01, Jul, 2009

The sudden death of Michael Jackson last week has seen a number of his singles and albums re-enter the charts. ...read on

Get Carter gets commissions - Wed, 01, Jul, 2009

Get Carter Productions has won radio advertising campaign work for three further major UK events: The Royal Show, the 160th consecutive event held by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) taking place between July 7th and July 10th at Stoneleigh Park, ...read on

Rob van Pooss - Wed, 01, Jul, 2009

Rob van Pooss has died from cancer aged 60 after battling the illness for some months. UKRD chief executive William Rogers described his death as "a real loss". ...read on

Tim Davie: Public will have a say during digital switchover - Wed, 01, Jul, 2009

The six-year path to a full digital radio switchover is not 'stoppable' and the BBC will consult with the public before switching off any analogue services, its director of audio and music Tim Davie has said. ...read on

A firm date at last for the future of DAB - Mon, 29, Jun, 2009

Radio was one of the biggest winners in the government's eagerly awaited Digital Britain report- with large parts of the industry welcoming the firm commitment to a 2015 digital switchover; ...read on

BBC ups sound quality for online radio - Mon, 29, Jun, 2009

The BBC has begun increasing the sound on all of its live and on demand online radio streams - starting with its 10 national radio networks ...read on

Eagle News - Mon, 29, Jun, 2009

96.4 Eagle Radio's annual Love Tour gave breakfast co-host Alex Minns the chance to fulfil a life-long ambition last week when the show was broadcast from Farnham Castle. Alex said "I have always dreamed of visiting a castle and meeting akinight in shining armour ...read on

A Children's Radio Council will protect young listeners - Mon, 29, Jun, 2009

UK law safeguards radio only for citizens aged 15 years and above and our children are losing their radio heritage. ...read on

Boardroom shake-up as UKRD takes control of TLRC - Fri, 29, May, 2009

UKRD chief executive William Rogers and chairman Trevor Smallwood have formally taken up the same roles at the Local Radio Company after winning a two-month bidding war and gaining a 50 per cent controlling stake in the group. ...read on

Phil Riley buys Global Midlands in last-minute deal - Fri, 29, May, 2009

Former Chrysalis Radio chief executive Phil Riley has secured an eleventh-hour deal to buy Global Radio's Midlands stations, after exclusive sale talks between Global and Bauer Radio dragged along without an agreement. ...read on

Bauer pulls stations from Sky to focus on DAB and Freeview - Fri, 29, May, 2009

Bauer Radio this week removed five of its national stations from the Sky platform saying it wanted to concentrate on DAB and Freeview, where most of its digital listening hours are clocked up. ...read on

Peter Horrocks is new director of BBC World Service - Tue, 03, Mar, 2009

The BBC has announced Peter Horrocks as the new director of the World Service, taking over from Nigel Chapman. ...read on

Ofcom scraps two-year formal change ban - Tue, 03, Mar, 2009

Ofcom has agreed to remove the rule preventing a station from changing elements of its format in its first two years on air. The change, which takes immediate effect, means 16 stations that have launched since the beginning of 2007 can now apply for format change if they wished. ...read on

KMFM staff braced for job cuts - Tue, 03, Mar, 2009

Staff at KMFM - the Kent Messenger Group's network of seven local radio stations - have been warned of plans to cut more jobs in what is being described as "phase-two" of a group-wide restructuring programme. ...read on

Muxco updates North West multiplex plans - Thu, 19, Feb, 2009

Muxco has confirmed it will launch its new local DAB multiplex for Liverpool, West Cheshire and North East Wales this autumn - a year later than originally planned. ...read on

MacKenzie plots radio return - Thu, 19, Feb, 2009

Former Wireless Group and TalkSport owner Kelvin MacKenzie is reported to be plotting a return to radio, possibly in collaboration with Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson. ...read on

John Myers to review radio localness rules - Thu, 19, Feb, 2009

GMG Radio chief executive John Myers is stepping down from the group a month early to lead an independent review of radio localness rules for communications minister Stephen Carter's Digital Britain report, which is due out in the summer. ...read on

UTV Radio steady in face of financial turmoil - Wed, 12, Nov, 2008

TalkSport owner UTV Radio has said its performance so far this year has been broadly the same as last year – but warned that the “turmoil in the financial markets” meant it was difficult to predict what would happen next.
...read on

Bauer loses its Mojo - Wed, 12, Nov, 2008

Bauer Radio is to pull the plug on digital-only station Mojo Radio – the music magazine spin-off broadcasting on digital TV. The station will close at the end of the month, leaving Bauer to focus on its newly relaunched digital stations Heat and Q, plus Smash Hits Radio and The Hits.
...read on

Global warns employee after PR stunt goes wrong - Wed, 12, Nov, 2008

Global Radio has issued a verbal warning to “a senior member of staff” after an unauthorised PR stunt at one of its local stations backfired.
In the week that BBC Radio 2 dominated the headlines following the suspension of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, Essex FM told listeners and the local press that breakfast duo Martin Day and Su Harrison had themselves been suspended pending an investigation into comments made on-air. ...read on

Harrison: BBC local video will harm radio journalism - Wed, 12, Nov, 2008

The BBC’s proposed network of 65 local video websites will make it difficult for commercial radio to recruit and retain journalists, Radiocentre chief executive Andrew Harrison has warned. ...read on

BBC Trust addresses licence fee - Thu, 18, Sep, 2008

The BBC Trust has launched a wide-ranging review into how the licence fee is collected and marketed – but has ruled out changing its name to emphasise that it pays for radio and online as well as television. ...read on

Three more rapped over phone-ins - Thu, 18, Sep, 2008

Three commercial radio stations (Power FM, Invicta FM and Kiss 105-108) have fallen foul of Ofcom’s broadcasting code in relation to phone-in competitions and listener trust – but have avoided a fine similar to the record £1.1m levied against GCap Media last year. ...read on

L107 ceases broadcasting - Mon, 18, Aug, 2008

Lanarkshire's local radio station, L107, has become the fifth commercial radio station to cease broadcasting in the past two years. The station, which launched as Clan FM in 1999, closed down on Monday morning. It follows other closures from Star Radio in Stroud, Fen Radio in Cambridgeshire and River FM in West Lothian. Austalian investment bank Macquarie also handed back its licence to Ofcom for Plymouth station Diamond FM before it launched. ...read on

'Urgent need' for a Welsh IRN - Mon, 18, Aug, 2008

Ofcom’s advisory committee in Wales has called on the regulator to “urgently” look into finding someone to set up a Welsh alternative to news provider IRN. ...read on

Van Outen goes - Fri, 08, Aug, 2008

Six months into her 12 month contract, Denise Van Outen has left the Capital Radio breakfast show and co-host Johnny Vaughan. ...read on

New stations hit GMG radio profits - Fri, 08, Aug, 2008

As profits fell from £3.5m to just £100,000 last year GMG Radio have said that the launch of Smooth Radio in the north-east and Rock Radio Manchester has hit profits. GMG Radio posted an increase in turnover of 37 percent and has pledged to “take advantage of any opportunities that arise” from consolidation of the commercial radio industry. ...read on

BBC “deception” cost licence payers £1m - Fri, 08, Aug, 2008

The BBC has been forced to part with almost £1.0m since it owned up to what has been described as a series of “repeated instances of pre-meditated, deliberate deception” by regulator Ofcom. A record £400,000 fine will be added to the £500,000 already spent on the emergency re-training scheme for programmers “Safeguarding Trust”. ...read on

BBC fined £400,000 for code breaches - Wed, 30, Jul, 2008

Ofcom has fined the BBC £400,000 for a series of broadcasting code breaches - including £225,000 for radio programmes which faked winners to competitions or misled audiences.

The radio shows fined were the Liz Kershaw Show, Russell Brand Show and Clare McDonnell Show on 6Music and Jo Whiley on Radio 1. ...read on

James Whale for LBC - Wed, 30, Jul, 2008

James Whale, the veteran radio presenter who was sacked from TalkSport in the run-up to the London mayoral election, has been signed by London radio station LBC.

Whale joins the news and talk station on 17 August, where he will present a week of programmes on a trial basis, standing in for late-night host Clive Bull.

The LBC programme director, Jonathan Richards, said: "James Whale is a class act who appreciates the art of great conversation and revels in a commercial radio environment." ...read on

GCap axe falls - Fri, 25, Jul, 2008

London stations Capital, XFM and Choice are seeing big job cuts. Among the causalities is Choice FM managing director Ivor Etienne. At Capital and XFM producers, marketing and PR bosses and administrators have been made redundant. ...read on

BBC locals face off-air threat - Fri, 25, Jul, 2008

Four BBC local radio stations are running the risk of “falling off air” said the controller of nations and regions Andy Griffee. Radios Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Three Counties and York are in need of urgent refurbishment it was revealed. ...read on

Canwest sells Original - Fri, 25, Jul, 2008

Canwest, the Canadian owner of three Original radio stations in the UK has sold their Aberdeen station for an undisclosed sum. The radio operator had already announced its intention to withdraw from the UK market. Station directors Jonathan Arendt and Richard Johnson have bought the station in a management buyout. ...read on

“Mistaken” threat over more BBC localness - Fri, 25, Jul, 2008

The BBC’s director of nations and regions Pat Loughrey has said that commercial radio is mistaken to think that plans for online local video will be a threat. Calling the RadioCentre’s claims “dramatic” he added: “A BBC video news broadband offering is unlikely to affect listening to the largely music-based services offered by commercial local radio.” But Andrew Harrison of the RadioCentre said it would have a “devastating market impact.” ...read on

Clash over DAB migration aims - Sat, 12, Jul, 2008

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has clashed with RadioCentre boss Andrew Harrison over the timetable to switch off the Radio 1 & 2 signal. Douglas rejected Harrison’s suggestion that R1 & R2 should become digital only ahead of competing commercial radio operators. She said such a move could cripple the industry. ...read on

BBC concerned over “no breakthrough” DAB - Sat, 12, Jul, 2008

The BBC Trust has expressed concern that their digital-only radio services have yet to breakthrough with awareness of their stations remaining low. The corporation also spoke of growing concern about the future of DAB within the commercial sector. ...read on

Jason’s breach over Boris - Sat, 12, Jul, 2008

Jason Donovan’s networked Sunday evening show on GCap’s One Network has been rapped for appearing to endorse Boris Johnson in the recent London mayoral race. Regulator Ofcom which last month fined the One Network £1.1 million cited the incident as a “clear breach”. Presenters on BBC 6Music and TalkSPORT were also pulled up for lack of impartiality. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Evan Davis in conversation - Wed, 02, Jul, 2008

The newest addition to Radio 4's Today programme, Evan Davis, has said he is looking to stay beyond his initial one-year term. "I think it will be difficult to go back to the previous job," he said. "There's no going back." ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Media Q & A - Wed, 02, Jul, 2008

Radiocentre chief executive Andrew Harrison has said commercial radio's troubles are due to there being too many stations in the UK. "There's too many radio stations out there chasing too little revenue," he told the Radio Festival. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Diversity - Wed, 02, Jul, 2008

In one of the Radio Festival’s first sessions on employment diversity it was suggested that both the BBC and commercial radio could improve. While the BBC may have taken the lead in implementing policy on of the panel, Lorna Clarke said the fewer but better initiatives would lead to a more authentic approach. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Future of Music Radio - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

Music radio will remain strong believes George Ergatoudis - Head of Music for Radio 1. Time has replaced money as the contraint for young people to access new music. Radio is "the ultimate music filter" so the listener doesn't have to devote lots of time discovering new tracks. That can be done by DJs and production teams. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: PRS - killing radio? - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

The music copyright agencies have been accused of killing radio by pursuing individual listeners who do not have a licence to broadcast radio in their offices or shops. The Radio Magazine understands that the RadioCentre has received a number of complaints from stations, whose listener numbers have suffered as a result. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Profitable Podcasting - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

Guardian digital content director Emily Bell has said the newspaper's podcasts will make money "in two to three months". The Guardian is moving to new premises later this year which will include "a massive suite of studios", she said. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: Migration - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

GMG Radio's Scottish programme director, Jay Crawford, has argued that the BBC should switch to digital before the commercial sector. "We would be able to pick up some listeners and get a return on the millions of pounds we've invested so far," he said. ...read on

FESTIVAL SHORTS: DAB - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

The Digital Radio Working Group is looking into the possibility of tax breaks for DAB sales. Board member Laurence Harrison said suspending VAT on receiver sales would give take-up the boost it needed. ...read on

THE RADIO MAGAZINE AT THE RADIO FESTIVAL - Tue, 01, Jul, 2008

Glasgow 1st & 2nd July. Watch out for headlines and festival highlights over the next 24 hours ahead of next week's edition of the magazine which will carry a full round-up. ...read on

Ofcom fines GCap £1.1m - Thu, 26, Jun, 2008

GCap Media has been fined £1.1m by Ofcom over misconduct in its Secret Sound competition - the highest fine ever levied on a radio broadcaster.

Ofcom's investigation found that the network of 30 stations deliberately put to air text entrants with incorrect answers in order to prevent the prize from being won too soon. ...read on

11 years of life left for analogue - Mon, 23, Jun, 2008

The Government department the DCMS has released the Digital Radio Working Group’s interim report which recommends that the signals on AM and FM broadcast transmitters should be switched off by 2020 and in some parts of the country – sooner.

It what it describes as a mixed ecology all national, regional and larger local radio stations – BBC and commercial, would cease analogue broadcasts and be DAB only from between 2012 and 2015.

FULL REPORT IN THIS WEEK'S MAGAZINE ...read on

R1 & R2 sell off: a disaster for commercial radio - Thu, 19, Jun, 2008

The privatisation of Radio 1 and Radio 2 would be disastrous for commercial radio a report published by Enders has concluded. “Far from alleviating the current problems of the existing commercial radio players [it] would provide them with a different, potentially more lethal set of problems” the report said. ...read on

AOL follows GCap to offer missing radio feature - Thu, 19, Jun, 2008

Web giant AOL has followed GCap’s lead by unveiling an application that allows iPhone users to listen to the radio. While Apple revealed its second-generation iPhone, it has not bowed to consumer pressure to incorporate an FM or DAB radio into the product. The new device will allow users to stream live radio. ...read on

One networks, and presenters fall - Thu, 19, Jun, 2008

GCap Media has parted company with long-serving late night presenter Graham Torrington and has also said farewell to recent signing Ryan Seacrest as the broadcaster unveiled a new line-up. Many local stations which comprise the One Network will have only two main local daytime shows as the slot between 10am and 1pm is to come from London with Capital Radio host Philippa Collins. Several dozen presenters are expected to be out of a job. At GCap’s Brighton FM station Southern FM; breakfast show host Nick Keig-Shevlin has announced her decision to quit after 21 years at the station. ...read on

Imagine: a station for sale - Fri, 13, Jun, 2008

UTV Radio has said it will hand back the licence for Imagine FM in Stockport if it cannot find a buyer over the next two weeks. The station has a TSA of over 460,000 – larger than some county-wide heritage ILRs but has lost an average of £115,000 every year since 1990. Last month Ofcom rejected UTV Radio’s request to move the station into shared premises in Warrington 23 miles away. ...read on

“Weak” Welsh radio hindered by Ofcom - Fri, 13, Jun, 2008

Radio in Wales could be improved if the regulator and its one size fits all policies took a back seat, says a new report funded by the Welsh Assembly. The research document encourages a fuller review into radio licensing and how small commercial radio stations and community radio stations will sit side by side in ten years time. ...read on

DAB boss calls it a day - Fri, 13, Jun, 2008

Digital One’s chief executive Quentin Howard is to step down in just two weeks time leaving operations director Glyn Jones to run the show until a replacement is found. Speaking recently at the Radio 3.0 conference he acknowledged that in its present form DAB was “bloody and bruised” and “needed fixing”. He is the latest of the old regime from GWR to go, following GCap chief executive Ralph Bernard, and Steve Orchard and Dirk Anthony. Digital One’s biggest shareholder is GCap (63%). GCap’s new chief executive Ashley Tabor is tipped to fix the national multiplex as one of his top priorities. ...read on

AM rocker loses virginity in £53m deal - Fri, 06, Jun, 2008

After more than a year of uncertainty at Golden Square, Virgin Radio has finally been sold but without its name. Times of India together with Absolute Radio have bought the national radio station from SMG for £53.2 million. In three months time the station will have to change its name and a £15m re-branding budget will be put in place. Virgin Radio’s executive chairman Richard Huntingford, will step down on completion of the deal which is expected to receive shareholder approval during June. ...read on

Planet Rock sold - Fri, 06, Jun, 2008

GCap media has agreed a deal to sell Planet Rock but one time front runner – guitarist Brian May is out of the equation. Writing on his website he said that GCap had just wasted his time. The rival bidder, entrepreneur millionaire and rock fan Malcolm Bluemel has acquired the DAB radio station along with support from Tony Iommi, Ian Anderson, Gary Moore and Fish. ...read on

BBC Trust urged to investigate stars’ salaries - Fri, 06, Jun, 2008

The BBC Trust has been urged to carry out a fuller investigation into the amount it pays some of its best known broadcasters. A report by Oliver & Ohlbaum questioned why the corporation paid such high rates while commercial broadcasters did not. Sir Michael Lyons the Trust chairman said: “I do understand that many people will continue to question the salaries paid to some BBC performers…when wages elsewhere (including in other parts of the BBC) are under pressure”. ...read on

XFM sold - Fri, 30, May, 2008

GCap has sold XFM South Wales to Town and Country Broadcasting. The station will be renamed Nation Radio and will move from Cardiff to

Neath. ...read on

TLRC put co-location on hold - Thu, 22, May, 2008

The Local Radio Company have said that although it has been granted permission from Ofcom to co-locate four pairs of stations (Arrow – Hastings, Mix 96 Aylesbury, 3TR – Warminster and Vale – Shaftesbury with Sovereign Radio, Mix 107, Spire FM, and Wessex FM) it has “no specific plans” to go ahead with such moves yet. “We believe passionately in local broadcasting” said chief executive Richard Wheatly. ...read on

MP Galloway accused of email breach - Thu, 22, May, 2008

TalkSPORT has confirmed it has launched an investigation into claims that presenter George Galloway used listeners’ email addresses to promote Respect – his political party. The practice, if proven falls outside Ofcom’s broadcasting code remit. ...read on

Hazlitt & Eyre to step down - Thu, 22, May, 2008

GCap chief executive Fru Hazlitt, chairman Richard Eyre and five non-executive directors are to leave the company in the coming days. The acquisition of GCap Media by Global Radio is expected to be formalised on June 6th at which time the directors will leave the company. GCap will be run by Ashley Tabor and Charles Allen of Global, who to comply with requirements from the Office of Fair Trading will temporarily step down from their jobs at Global. These will be filled by Richard Park and Don Thompson. ...read on

GCap to sell Sky Digital slots - Thu, 15, May, 2008

GCap Media is looking to sell two of its slots to bidders as the group continues its withdrawal from digital broadcasting. The slot used by theJazz and the slot understood to be Fun Radio’s are up for sale. ...read on

Unique to sell off commercial division - Thu, 15, May, 2008

UBC Media, provider of traffic and entertainment news to over 250 radio stations looks set to change hands as the operator commences its withdrawal from this market. Global Traffic Network the Aussie owned company is expected to pay around £15 million for the division. Unique will carry out a review of its operations as is expected to de-list itself from the Stock Exchange. ...read on

Sony Awards 2008 - Thu, 15, May, 2008

Wins for both the BBC’s Network stations and its presenters and for commercial radio including Radio City, Forth One, Radio Aire, Magic and Key 103 which picked up two gongs. The Chris Moyles Show won breakfast show of the year and Brian Matthew, pictured, won the Sony Gold Award. ...read on

RAJAR results - Thu, 08, May, 2008

Full listing of headline data, station-by-station and year-on-year in this week’s issue of our print on paper magazine.

366,000 more people listen to UK radio than a year ago

Record gains for Radio 1

Gap between commercial radio and BBC widest ever

Kiss 100 in London gets more listeners than Capital Radio

Classic FM and Radio 3 suffer ...read on

XFM to introduce daytime networking - Thu, 08, May, 2008

XFM has been given the green light by Ofcom to network its daytime output between 10am and 4pm across its stations in Scotland, Manchester and London. Ofcom said that the request very similar to that made by the Kiss network last year. ...read on

DAB: offering choice is the driver - Thu, 08, May, 2008

In a speech at Radio Reborn, Ofcom radio boss Peter Davies announced that the regulator’s role was “not to save DAB” but suggested that choice was the most important driver to the success of the platform. Over the last year commercial radio has closed DAB services and steadily withdrawn from the platform. Commercial radio’s decision to scale back on its investment has been branded as “shortsighted” by soon to retire BBC boss Jenny Abramsky. ...read on

Whale beached - Thu, 08, May, 2008

James Whale has had his contract with TalkSPORT terminated after he encouraged listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London mayoral race. The station said he was guilty of “a gross error of judgement” which was found to be “totally unacceptable.”

James Whale has been part of commercial radio for over 30 years, before which he was a trainee buyer at Harrods. He career has now come full circle as the presenter has signed up to present for shopping TV channel, Channel Bid TV. His first show will be in the evening of May 19th. ...read on

4Digital delay - Tue, 29, Apr, 2008

Channel 4 has said it is in ongoing discussion with Ofcom over the launch date for its digital radio services. There is speculation that the TV channel may switch from launching the second multiplex altogether in favour taking up spare capacity on the first MUX created by GCap’s in-out policy towards the platform. 4Digital’s launch boss, former BBC Radio 5Live controller Bob Shennan has made two senior appointments, a general manager and a head of music output. ...read on

DRDB new boss appointed - Tue, 29, Apr, 2008

Tony Moretta, the man behind National Grid’s bid for the second digital multiplex has been appointed chief executive. He will report to chairman Simon Cole from June this year. Until that time Paul Brown will oversee the DRDB on a temporary basis. ...read on

Job losses follow localness relaxation - Tue, 29, Apr, 2008

Around 20 radio presenters have learned that they are out of a job, as relaxed rules on localness begin to have their effect on station programming. Global, CN Radio and Lincs FM have all announced programme sharing arrangements. ...read on

TLRC buys back shares - Fri, 04, Apr, 2008

In a bit to revalue the company, The Local Radio Company is set to buy 11 million of its shares for £1.9 million. The company believes that compared with Emap, Chrysalis and GCap, the £12.6 million the company is said to be worth is a significant under valuation. ...read on

Ofcom cuts licence fees - Fri, 04, Apr, 2008

More good news for commercial radio following the proposed reduction in transmission costs from Arqiva and NGW; Ofcom is to reduce the licence fee it charges. Calculated as a percentage of revenue, stations will see an average cut of 6.3 per cent. ...read on

GlobeCap a go-go - Fri, 04, Apr, 2008

After fifteen weeks of overtures, the GCap shareholders have accepted Global’s offer £375 million for the company. Pledging “no material change” to employees’ working conditions, Global could actively take the reigns of the company in August once the outstanding regulatory issues have been resolved. Although the money is expected to change hands in mid June. Fru Hazlitt – GCap’s Chief Executive is to stay on and in a note to staff said that she appreciated “the near future contains some uncertainties. ...read on

NME radio goes local first - Fri, 04, Apr, 2008

This summer will see the launch of NME radio on DAB multiplexes in London and the south-east. The service with “underserved rock fans” in mind is being led by Xfm founder Sammy Jacob. It had originally planned to go national, but will now roll out locally instead. ...read on

Virgin Radio bidders: one rejected, two left - Sun, 30, Mar, 2008

Global Radio is understood to have had its second-round bid for Virgin Radio rejected. The two remaining bidders are UTV whose interest goes back to 2006 and Absolute Radio, owner of two local stations serving Oxford. ...read on

Global/GCap - Sun, 30, Mar, 2008

The revised City imposed deadline of 5:00pm Monday 31st March looms. By then GCap Media’s shareholders will consider the Global offer for the radio group. If the two companies agree to a takeover, this move will be the first in a number of steps to ensure regulatory and ownership and competition issues are satisfactorily resolved. One such issue, raised in the press over the weekend was the prospect of Ofcom’s ongoing investigation into premium telephone line competitions. Last year GCap was fined over £17,000 and there is a suggestion other fines may follow. ...read on

Moyles top jock on Facebook - Sun, 30, Mar, 2008

BBC Radio 1’s experiment into the use of social networking to promote its programming has been hailed a success. Worldwide, US presidential candidate, Barack Obama topped the list of popularity with 700,000 online followers. The Radio 1 breakfast host Chris Moyles came second with 310,000. ...read on

Arqiva/NGW windfall - Thu, 20, Mar, 2008

The Competition Commission has given the conditional go-ahead to the merging of Arqiva and National Grid Wireless, despite there being “a substantial lessening of competition” it has said. The outcome could be a payout to commercial radio operators. The transmission costs for many stations could be slashed by around £34,000 per annum, on average. ...read on

Ofcom puts jazz cuts proposal to consultation - Thu, 20, Mar, 2008

GMG’s proposal to cut jazz programmes and music out of Smooth Radio in London and Smooth Radio in the North West and put it onto the DAB multiplexes in theses areas, is to go to consultation. The regulator believes the changes would significantly alter each station’s Formats, which were, originally to play jazz under the original names Jazz FM. Ofcom has also said that the two FM services must be considered in isolation and any proposals to transfer jazz to DAB would not count in their considerations as DAB services are not seen as independent radio services. The closing date for responses is 11th April 2008. ...read on

Hub help - Thu, 20, Mar, 2008

The CN Group’s five station “news hub” in the Midlands has helped the group move away from “press release radio” it editor Darren Bruce, has said. The previous “two-man newsroom” model made it “incredibly difficult” for stations to report on breaking news. Stations with bigger newsrooms “are able to be off-desk” he said, “there is value in that.” ...read on

London and Birmingham in stranglehold battle - Sun, 16, Mar, 2008

As Global Radio meets with GCap executives over the coming weeks, the regulatory issues that affect ownership limits will be discussed. If the acquisition of GCap Media goes ahead, stations in Birmingham and London could be put up for sale. It is also expected that the combined radio assets will prompt a Competition Commission inquiry as the new group would represent over 50 per cent of the UK commercial radio market. ...read on

Presenter free Xfm, the move that failed - Sun, 16, Mar, 2008

Hailed as ground-breaking, a radio first, the move to drop jocks for listener’s choice has been dropped itself by GCap Media’s Xfm after just 10 months. The programming change on the stations between 10am and 4pm each day was the brainchild of departing GCap Media’s operations director, Steve Orchard who said of the move last summer that “The Xfm audience knows more about music than our DJs do”. ...read on

BBC strong in BPG nominations - Mon, 10, Mar, 2008

The BBC has dominated the radio shortlist for this year’s Broadcasting Press Guild awards. Among the corporation’s nominees are Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie, Five Live’s Simon Mayo and Radio 4 presenters Eddie Mair and Martha Kearney. ...read on

Global bid third time lucky? - Mon, 10, Mar, 2008

Global’s third bid for GCap Media has been valued at 225p per share. Both sides are in discussion about the feasibility of a takeover. The “put up or shut up” deadline has also been extended until the end of the month. Stations in London and Birmingham, where Global Radio already operates, are expected to attract regulatory issues. ...read on

Radio revenues rise - Mon, 10, Mar, 2008

The last three months of 2007 saw the best performance for commercial radio revenues in almost two years. Breaking the £150m barrier for the quarter, total revenues for the year were up 2.8 per cent to £598m. ...read on

GCap wins in RAJAR recount - Fri, 29, Feb, 2008

The recent RAJAR ratings “glitch” which affected over 90 individual stations has landed Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster an extra 38,000 listeners. GCap’s Gold service did well. ...read on

Kennedy off-the-cuff comment lands 2 in trouble - Fri, 29, Feb, 2008

A complaint against BBC Radio 2’s Sarah Kennedy, has been resolved with Ofcom. The presenter suggested that she could not see black people in the dark. Ofcom was “concerned that such a comment…had been included in a live broadcast. ...read on

Global offer rejected - Fri, 29, Feb, 2008

A revised takeover bid for GCap Media, valued at £2.02 per share (a big increase on the previous offer of £1.90) has been rejected by GCap’s shareholders. Full story in Issue 830. ...read on

Commercial radio foolish in digital brand launch - Fri, 22, Feb, 2008

Commercial radio was “foolish” and “spent too much money” on attempting to create new brands on DAB digital radio, says the former chief executive of Chrysalis Radio, Phil Riley. In a Radio Academy podcast he added that digital-only stations were “never going to have a big effect on the audience.” ...read on

News hub option for BBC locals - Fri, 22, Feb, 2008

The BBC is considering the adoption of the hub system of news reporting, similar to that used by a number of commercial radio stations. The 45 local radio stations could, under the proposals be rationalised and co-located. ...read on

Four bid for Virgin Radio - Fri, 22, Feb, 2008

Alongside UTV, Absolute Radio and Global Radio, a fourth bidder is understood to be showing an interest in buying Virgin Radio. Asian billionaire Ananda Krishnan is reported to have teamed up with Malaysian media company Astro All Asia Networks to front a bid for the national AM service. ...read on

Ofcom Nails down localness - Fri, 15, Feb, 2008

Ofcom has set the minimum number of locally produced hours of local commercial broadcasting at ten hours per day. The long awaited decision is part of Ofcom’s statement on The Future Of Broadcasting review. More station co-location will be allowed but no where near as much as the industry wanted. The regulator, says it is putting listeners first. ...read on

RAJAR turmoil - Fri, 15, Feb, 2008

The RAJAR results of over 250 local radio stations – BBC and commercial have been affected by a software glitch. Revised figures are to be published. Full story in Issue 828 of The Radio Magazine. ...read on

BBC – failing to recruit black and minority ethnic people - Fri, 15, Feb, 2008

Senior jobs in the corporation are held by people, described by former director general Greg Dyke, as ‘hideously white’. Despite a commitment to diversity the corporation was accused last week of not addressing this imbalance. In 2006 the BBC subcontracted out recruitment to private company Capita. Some BBC insiders believe that the computer company is less effective than when the corporation handled it in-house. ...read on

New strategy for GCap - Mon, 11, Feb, 2008

In a strategy presentation GCap boss Fru Hazlett announced to the City her intentions for Britain’s largest radio group. A series of wide ranging plans include the axing of Planet Rock and TheJazz, the divestment of national DAB multiplex Digital One, the sale of XFM Scotland, Manchester and South Wales. Capital Radio will scrap the two-ads-in-a-row policy, there will be a restructure of the One Network and a focus on Classic FM, Capital and Choice FM. She said of DAB: “DAB with its current cost structure and infrastructure, is not an economically viable growth platform for GCap Media.” The cost-cutting drive is expected to save the group £8.8 million a year. More news in this week’s issue of The Radio Magazine. ...read on

RAJAR Quarter 4 – 2007 - Wed, 06, Feb, 2008

Full details in this week’s printed magazine

BBC widens gap to 13 per cent

1.6 million listeners turn their back on local radio

Chris Moyles narrows the gap to Terry Wogan

OneNetwork loses 192,000 since re-launch

Merged GCap Gold services see listener base collapse

BBC Local and Regional 444,000 down on year

Big City network down 140,000 on the quarter ...read on

Huntingford to sue Chrysalis for £2m - Wed, 06, Feb, 2008

Former Chrysalis Group chief executive Richard Huntingford is to sue his former company, claiming he did not receive an agreed £2 million bonus. At the time of the sale of Chrysalis Radio to Global, chief executive, radio, Phil Riley received a £450,000 pay off. ...read on

DAB “running out of financial runway” - Wed, 06, Feb, 2008

Speaking at a RadioCentre sponsored debate at the House of Commons, Ralph Bernard, long term advocate of DAB, said broadcasters were “slowly running out of financial runway” fearing DAB may not take off. He added the radio industry needs a 2015 digital switchover date to avoid a “serious danger of catastrophe.” The call came after it was revealed that December DAB receiver sales narrowly fell short of the 6.5m target estimated by the Digital Radio Development Board. ...read on

City deadline imposed on Global verses GCap - Wed, 06, Feb, 2008

Global Radio has until the beginning of March to make a second bid for GCap Media, or it must walk away for six months the City has ruled.

GCap Media said it welcomed the Takeover Panel’s announcement. Global approached GCap in December offering 190p per share, which valued the UK’s biggest commercial radio group at £313m. ...read on

Compelling programming a real option - Fri, 25, Jan, 2008

Emap’s MD of radio programming, Mark Story, has spoken about what he sees as a swing back to hand-made programmes. “I like the idea that we’re moving back to a time when we’re seeing real personality come back into radio.” On the subject of industry consolidation he added: “I don’t necessarily think that everything is dependant on consolidation. There’s a fantastic bond amongst radio programmers – our relationships are extremely good.” ...read on

GCap lose programming bosses - Fri, 25, Jan, 2008

After being passed over for promotion by newcomer Fru Hazlitt, GCap’s operations director Steve Orchard has quit his job. He was regarded as former chief executive Ralph Bernard’s right-hand man and presided over some of the most turbulent issues that faced the merged company. Dirk Anthony, GCap’s highly regarded group programme director is to leave the company also. ...read on

Virgin moves into instore radio - Thu, 17, Jan, 2008

Virgin Radio is looking to move into instore radio and to launch a series of tailor-made radio stations for shops and gyms. Virgin Radio boss David Lloyd plans to offer these potential customers “controlled audio” as a step towards “introducing them to the world of radio” and to market commercial radio to them as an effective marketing tool. ...read on

GCap back Fru - Thu, 17, Jan, 2008

Shareholders supported the GCap board’s rejection of the Global Radio takeover bid. A major shareholder told The Radio Magazine they had given GCap the “benefit of the doubt”. The move is a prelude to newly appointed Fru Hazlitt’s pending presentation to shareholders and the City where she will unveil her plans for the radio group. ...read on

Exodus at Tindle Radio - Thu, 17, Jan, 2008

Chief Executive Kevin Stewart has departed from the radio group he led for ten years. Fellow (group programme) director, Mark Franklin has also departed for GCap’s GWR Swindon where he will take on the role of programme controller at the end of the month. Late last year Vikki Stewart, administration director left the radio group. These moves follow the parent company’s announcement last year that they were willing to hold discussions with potential buyers for the stations. ...read on

DAB Digital upheaval - Thu, 17, Jan, 2008

Following the biggest DAB shake-up last weekend which saw the closure of Oneword and Core, and the rumoured pending closure of Life one replacement has been found in the form of BFBS the armed forces station which now broadcasts to the UK using the former Core slot. Multi-cultural station Colourful Radio is thought to be in discussions about taking the Oneword slot which at present broadcasts birdsong. ...read on

Global vs GCap - Mon, 14, Jan, 2008

Global Radio is considering its position after an offer to take-over GCap have been rejected by the GCap board. But the decision whether to sell is thought to rest with large shareholder the Daily Mail & General Trust. Global - led by former ITV boss Charles Allen, is well funded and is prepared to pay a premuim for the company. ...read on

More DAB stations to close - Thu, 10, Jan, 2008

UBC-owned Oneword Radio is expected to close down before Saturday 12th January. GCap Media have already announced the closure of Core and Life with the closure of one of these stations thought, also, to be this Saturday. ...read on

TalkSPORT leads complaints league - Thu, 10, Jan, 2008

TalkSPORT was the most complained-about radio station in 2007, with mid-morning host Jon Gaunt attracting twice as many complaints as any other UK radio presenter. ...read on

Kevin Greening dies - Mon, 31, Dec, 2007

Smooth Radio presenter Kevin Greening has died. He was 44. Greening, who presented the Radio 1 breakfast show in the late-Nineties with Zoe Ball, died in his sleep on Saturday night, according to his agent, Wise Buddah. ...read on

Fru: new boss of GCap - Bernard steps down - Thu, 20, Dec, 2007

Six months into her job as head of London stations at GCap, Fru Hazlitt has been made Chief Executive of the radio group - with immediate effect.

She replaces Ralph Bernard who stepped down from the GCap board today (Thursday 20th December).

"We have great people and both locally and nationally we have historic brand equity and a status that will enable us to win within the multiplatform environment" she said. ...read on

Emap Radio sold - Fri, 07, Dec, 2007

Emap has sold its radio and consumer magazines division to German publisher H Bauer for £1.14bn. The deal is subject to shareholder approval and conditional on the disposal of Emap's Irish stations being successfully completed. Emap Radio, the UK's second biggest radio group and operator of 38 radio stations was thought to be valued at £490m. On hearing the news, rival front runner Global Radio said that the joint publishing and radio bid was understandable but disappointing for other radio specific bidders. ...read on

DAB “doesn’t stack up” - Thu, 06, Dec, 2007

GCap Media’s head of strategy, Will Harding has spoken out against DAB describing it as “a platform is in huge need of attention”. He said at a Radio Academy event, “The only people who make money out of DAB are the transmission companies” and that its commercial case “simply doesn’t stack up.” ...read on

Plymouth FM licence debacle - Thu, 06, Dec, 2007

In the wake of Macquarie Bank, backers of Diamond FM, winners of the Plymouth FM licence, handing back their licence to Ofcom, there are fears among local groups that the re-advertisement process will not be a level playing field. Fresh applicants, it is thought will “ride on the back” of the original bidders. The controversy over the award to the Tim Schoonmaker led bid which rival groups said contained no local elements has failed to be quelled, as the regulator faces up to starting the re-advertisement of the licence, all over again. ...read on

Wham-bam but no thanks Bam - Thu, 06, Dec, 2007

Bam Bam has parted company with Capital after less than a year as part of a schedule shuffle. Managing director Paul Jackson said he was sorry to see the ex-Kiss breakfast presenter go. A Capital spokeswoman said the station "didn't have room for another breakfast show". Full details in next week's magazine. ...read on

Honest Mark lifts competition ban - Sat, 01, Dec, 2007

BBC Radio 2 will be one of the first BBC radio stations to benefit from the gradual lifting of the ban on competitions. Mark Thompson who put a stop to BBC telephone competitions until the corporation put it house in order, has spoken of a new code which is designed to ensure “competitions and voting will be handled with rigorous care and integrity.” Ken Bruce’s Popmaster will return sometime before Christmas. ...read on

Ofcom Future of Radio Statement - Sat, 01, Dec, 2007

Decisions regarding digital radio switchover, will be passed to a DCMS taskforce which can be expected to report back at the end of 2008.

Community radio will be allowed to place a monetary value on volunteer labour in order to ease the financial pressure caused by the 50% limit advertising funding.

The regulator proposes, for FM stations, to hold locally originated programming to present levels or 10 hours whichever is the lower. Ofcom also wants a live 4-hour breakfast show to be broadcast from each locality. Closing date for responses 21st December 2008. ...read on

GCap: Ralph Bernard to resign - Fri, 23, Nov, 2007

The search is on for a new chief executive at GCap Media after Ralph Bernard announced this morning he was looking to resign. Bernard, who has been with the company for 25 years, will step down when a replacement - either internally or externally - is found. He will remain chairman of Classic FM and Digital One. Full details and reaction - including analysis of GCap's half-year results - are in next week's magazine. ...read on

Race to dump Oneword - Thu, 22, Nov, 2007

Once again, the future of DAB channel Oneword is in doubt. Channel 4 is reported to be considering pulling out of the digital-only station. After writing off its 49% of the investment, joint owner UBC said that their company is “examining ways in which to exit from the venture. ...read on

Ofcom to "protect" localness - Thu, 22, Nov, 2007

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards has told the radio industry that "localness is still important and should be protected".

Announcing a set of revised proposals on the future of radio, the regulator stressed that FM stations should still be required to broadcast at least 10 hours a day of local content.

Ofcom confirmed analogue formats will be simplified to bring them into line with those on digital radio. Community radio licensing and commercial radio ownership rules will be made more flexible. And the DCMS is to set up a digital radio working group to assess the conditions for a digital switchover.

Full, in-depth analysis and comment on what today's announcement means for the radio industry - and details on how you can have you say - will be provided in next week's issue of The Radio Magazine. ...read on

Consultant’s curse and Radio 1 are to blame for commercial woes - Thu, 22, Nov, 2007

Commercial radio’s ability to challenge the BBC has been hampered by “the curse of the programming consultants” said GMG boss and chairman of the Radio Academy John Myers. He added that he thought Australian and US programme consultants “talked complete shite. They don’t tell you things you don’t know, but they might get you to focus on things better.” Turning to Radio 1 he said: “I do think Radio 1 is getting close to the point where the whole commercial radio industry will complain. Is Radio 1 offering something that the commercial sector doesn’t?” ...read on

Virgin turns back on DAB to beef up weekends - Thu, 22, Nov, 2007

Virgin Radio is to pull the plug on its digital only service Groove and is also understood to be pulling out of the 4Digital agreement where it had hoped to launch female-friendly: Virgin Radio Viva. Instead the station has signed former Radio 1’s JK and Joel to go head to head with Vernon Kay. Greg Burns is leaving, he follows former Virgin Radio boss Paul Jackson to work for Capital Radio while comedian and LBC broadcaster Iain Lee has followed his old boss David Lloyd, to Virgin Radio. ...read on

SBES set for change - Fri, 16, Nov, 2007

For 2008 the Sound Broadcasting Equipment Show will open its doors on Friday and Saturday at the NEC. The UK’s premier sound equipment show also intends to show a wider range of equipment to reflect mutli platform broadcasting. ...read on

Emap break-up on track - Fri, 16, Nov, 2007

The publishing and Radio group says sale plans remain on-track. A sale by auction in the new-year is also a possibility. Emap’s radio division has an asking price of around £450m and new entrant to UK radio Global Radio appear to be front runners with at least three other groups still in the frame. ...read on

BBC launch mobile podcasts - Fri, 16, Nov, 2007

All podcasts from the BBC are now available to download wirelessly. The on the move download advance coincides with the launch of Apple’s new iPhone and the iPod Touch. ...read on

Ditch those rubbish radio websites - Thu, 08, Nov, 2007

Richard Eyre, newly installed chairman of GCap Media had described radio station websites as rubbish and said at the RAB conference last week that radio was a powerful launchpad to online places that engage with the user. But pointed out that people will not go willingly to rubbish websites. ...read on

E4 Radio to give Radio 1 “a run for their money” - Thu, 08, Nov, 2007

Channel 4 director of radio, Nathalie Schwarz has accused Radio 1 of drifting away from its core youth audience and has pledged to offer a better 16 to 24 year-old focus on E4 Radio which is set to launce next summer. ...read on

Ofcom raps Invicta and Real - Thu, 08, Nov, 2007

Invicta FM in Kent was rapped by Ofcom for lack of clarity in an on-air competition and upheld a listener complaint. In a separate ruling Ofcom found against Real Radio Scotland for giving undue prominence and promotion to Sainsburys, Ford and Coca Cola in separate competitions. ...read on

RAJAR - Fri, 02, Nov, 2007

This week’s magazine lists all RAJAR participating stations’ headline results together with a year-on-year comparison; the biggest RAJAR stories and analysis. ...read on

The Future is on hold - Fri, 02, Nov, 2007

Regulator Ofcom has delayed publishing is conclusions and plans following the Future of Radio consultative document. The closing date for responses was 29th June, but Ofcom in announcing the delay a week ago, said that the hold-up was down to the higher than anticipated number of responses (140). However commercial radio bosses have recently written to Ofcom requesting a cut of up to 46 per cent in localness obligations. This following the regulator’s earlier proposal in April this year. ...read on

Final local radio stations axed - Fri, 26, Oct, 2007

Plans by the BBC to launch local radio stations in Bradford, Cheshire, Dorset and Somerset have been scrapped. Also as part of the BBC cuts are 50 jobs in local radio which are to go and the BBC buses used as a promotional toll by the stations will be de-commissioned in the spring. ...read on

More radio repeats - Fri, 26, Oct, 2007

BBC radio is to offer “judicious use” of repeats as part of a wide range of cost cutting. The immediate threat of strike has been lifted at the corporation has pledged to wait two weeks before contacting staff about voluntary redundancy. ...read on

GMG drops Global - Fri, 26, Oct, 2007

GCap Media is tipped to take on the national sales contract for GMG’s radio stations from Global Radio. The likelihood of such a move was revealed in the pages of The Radio Magazine last July. ...read on

Co-location okay for CN Radio - Fri, 26, Oct, 2007

CN Radio has been given the green light to operate four radio stations from one location. Their new radio station for Warwick has been given a launch extension of three months also. The moves were sanctioned the radio regulator Ofcom. ...read on

Corporation crisis - Thu, 18, Oct, 2007

Pressure builds on the BBC’s director-general Mark Thompson. He reports to the BBC trust on Wednesday (17th) on how he is going to claw back the £2m shortfall caused in part by lower than expected licence fee revenue. Over 2,000 jobs could be on the line plus other cuts in departments, this despite the high salaries paid to its celebrity broadcasters and money put aside to move Radio 5 Live to the north west. A strike is highly likely. Morale at the Beeb is reported as never being so low. ...read on

SMG U-turn on Virgin Radio sale - Tue, 09, Oct, 2007

SMG say they have had significant interest from potential buyers and while a public offering remains an option, it may not be the way SMG will divest themselves of the asset. ...read on

Destroying radio – Tony Blackburn speaks out - Tue, 09, Oct, 2007

In an interview as part of BBC radio’s 40th celebration, the DJ who launched Radio 1 said large groups, too many stations and voice tracking are all contributing to the destruction of UK radio. ...read on

GCap curbs time on Facebook - Thu, 27, Sep, 2007

It has emerged that the radio group’s staff used the Facebook website twice as much as the Highways Agency online CCTV system and visited YouTube more than IRN’s online newsroom. A memo sent to staff has urged restraint. ...read on

Ofcom: intervention on the cards - Thu, 27, Sep, 2007

Regulator Ofcom has not ruled out exercising more control on the radio transmission market to ease the financial pressure on struggling radio stations. “Clearly this area is different to TV - the issues are more difficult,” said Ed Richards, Ofcom’s chief executive. ...read on

BBC 6gate inquiry leads to scapegoat claims - Thu, 27, Sep, 2007

Staff at BBC Audio and Music have accused the corporation of making scapegoats of junior staff after a 6Music producer was dismissed as part of the BBC’s investigations into listener deception. ...read on

Jane Garvey quits 5Live - Fri, 21, Sep, 2007

Drivetime co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live Jane Garvey is to leave the station after 13 years and will be replaced by Anita Anand. Jane Garvey will move network to Radio 4 where she will be one of the team of regular presenters of Woman’s Hour. ...read on

Global Radio: management axed - Fri, 21, Sep, 2007

Less that two months after gaining control of Chrysalis Radio the MDs of LBC, David Lloyd, Heart Brand MD – Barnaby Dawe, Galaxy network Martyn Healy along with Tina Finch – Heart network marketing director and Heart programme director Francis Currie have gone in a Global radio shake-up which the company says will enable it “to build a new culture that values creativity.” ...read on

Phone flux - Fri, 21, Sep, 2007

“A bloody nightmare” is how GCap director of content, Pete Simmons described the rules surrounding premium rate phone-in competitions. Speaking at a Radio Academy discussion on the topic he added that the current regulatory set-up where Ofcom, Icstis and the Gambling Commission all have a say is “a horrible prospect.” ...read on

No space for radio in iPod addition - Mon, 17, Sep, 2007

Apple has ignored calls for a radio receiver to be included in its new range of iPods despite consumer research which suggest radio is the vital missing ingredient in the mp3 player. ...read on

Galaxy suspends Hirsty show - Mon, 17, Sep, 2007

The entire breakfast team at Galaxy 105 in Yorkshire were suspended. The move was described by an insider, as a “knee-jerk” reaction by parent company and new owner, Global Radio. A listener complained to Ofcom about inappropriate content. ...read on

Dick & Dom on da radio - Mon, 17, Sep, 2007

TV Kids presenters Dick & Dom are part of a new youth line-up at Radio 1 which sees some of JK and Joel’s shows being replaced as they move into television. In teen tsar Andy Parfitt’s latest move to create more teen programming for the national FM station, Kelly Osbourne joins Radio 1. ...read on

One Network and BRMB set for major changes - Wed, 12, Sep, 2007

A “facelift” as part of a wider shake-up of the entire One Network (GCap’s local FM stations) is planned. This autumn will see the introduction of new group-wide network shows at weekends. Duncan Campbell will oversee the One Network changes while Phil Barton-Ancliffe will be involved with the BRMB facelift. ...read on

Emap radio performing well - Wed, 12, Sep, 2007

Amid the wholesale sell-off or demerger which awaits Emap plc, the radio division was reported as “performing well in what appears to be a more positive market.” Some analysts value the radio division at £400m. ...read on

Paul Jackson jumps ship - Wed, 12, Sep, 2007

The sudden departure of Virgin Radio’s Chief Executive to Capital 95.8 has thrown a spanner in the works for Virgin Radio’s impending floatation. Jackson rejoins Capital after six years and will serve under his old Virgin Radio boss Fru Hazlitt, also a Capital returnee and now GCap’s London Managing Director. ...read on

BBC commercial radio gap narrows - Sat, 18, Aug, 2007

The gap between BBC and commercial radio over who has the lion’s share of UK radio listening is closing, slightly. Commercial radio is now 10.8 percentage points adrift from the BBC and posts figures which represent a four-year high. ...read on

Capital 7th in London - Sat, 18, Aug, 2007

Falling behind Kiss FM and despite a major marketing push, Capital Radio holds a 4.1 per cent share of London listening. Radio 4, Radio 2, Magic, Heart, Radio 1 and Kiss lead. Birmingham’s BRMB loses 137,000 listeners. ...read on

All listening up - Sat, 18, Aug, 2007

In the face of competition from so-called new media, unlike press and TV, UK radio holds it’s own with 45.6 million listeners. 1 million up on last year. See RAJAR Analysis in this week’s publication. ...read on

Local commercial radio gains 1.8m listeners - Sat, 18, Aug, 2007

Nearly 2 million listeners have retuned to commercial radio over the last 12 months – full story in this week’s publication ...read on

Emap moves closer to sell-off - Fri, 17, Aug, 2007

Emap has drawn up a sales memorandum to show potential bidders interested in buying all or part of the media empire. Guardian Media Group lead a growing list of interested parties.

...read on

GCap phone-in pledge - Fri, 17, Aug, 2007

GCap Media has pledged to stop profiting from premium rate phone-in competitions like the one aired across the One Network group of 31 stations that caused the media group to be fined by regulator Icstis £17,500. A complaint sent to the regulator is believed to have come from a GCap whistleblower.

...read on

Time for a change - Thu, 09, Aug, 2007

The remaining 80-year old 820 ft radio masts outside Rugby, that brought us the pips and sent pulses to studio clocks throughout the UK were felled last week. Since BST 2007, the signals have come from Anthorn in Cumbria.

...read on

New BBC logos - Thu, 09, Aug, 2007

Little change for Radio 1, a quirky Radio 3 and Radio 4 is the summary for the networks’ new logos. The Radio 2 marks the biggest departure ...read on

BBC training of 16,500 staff may be a rush job - Thu, 09, Aug, 2007

In the wake of the editorial lapses controversy, the BBC is said to be “panicking” to get staff pushed through the Safeguarding Trust training programme.

...read on

Phil Riley bows out after £½ million pay-off - Thu, 02, Aug, 2007

As the ink dried on the sale of Chrysalis Radio to Global Radio this week, it was announced that Phil Riley, despite being offered a job with the owners, would not be joining Global. He was compensated by Chrysalis to the tune of £450,000. Richard Park is Global’s Executive Director.

...read on

Emap set to flog off more silver - Thu, 02, Aug, 2007

Shares climbed after the Emap board announced that their review could lead to a sale or demerger of parts of the group, including its radio division. The Emap board said they had received “various unsolicited proposals”. Emap radio has been valued at between £400-£500m. The news led to a 12% rise in the group’s share price.

...read on

Saint sold - Thu, 02, Aug, 2007

Town & Country Broadcasting has acquired The Saint from Southampton FC. The station will be renamed Radio Hampshire. This is the first English acquisition for the Jason Bryant led radio group which operates five local stations in South Wales.

...read on

Three TLRC stations sold in part - Wed, 25, Jul, 2007

A new joint venture between TLRC and Portsmouth Football Club will run The Quay (Portsmouth), Spirit (Chichester) and Isle of Wight Radio. The football club is buying a 26 per cent stake for £1.0m with the option buy up to 50 per cent.

...read on

Lessons in honesty as Beeb scraps some phone-ins - Wed, 25, Jul, 2007

Radio 2 has bucked the trend and is broadcasting its Ken Bruce Popmaster quiz while a ban from the DG is in force. However this will be with fellow broadcasting staff instead of contestants from the public. In another measure over 16,000 staff will be sent on courses to re-inforce BBC values and to learn about honesty.

...read on

Gold jocks in £30 uproar - Wed, 25, Jul, 2007

GCap’s new network: Gold, the merger of Classic Gold and Capital Gold has led to the loss of work on the station. Tony Blackburn who has presented shows on both networks is to leave Friday 3rd August. Other jocks are unhappy with the Monday – Friday, 11 a.m to 3 p.m. local voicetrack option which will pay just £30 per week.

...read on

Radio Festival: Yes to regulation - Wed, 11, Jul, 2007

At the opening to this year’s Radio Festival, delegates voted two-to-one against the motion “regulation is strangling radio”.

...read on

New Culture Secretary named - Wed, 11, Jul, 2007

James Purnell has replaced Tessa Jowell as Culture Secretary, he will have responsibility for broadcasting.

...read on

TalkSport gongs galore - Wed, 11, Jul, 2007

National station TalkSport swept the board at this year’s RadioCentre Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards, winning station of the year and three other awards. The Quay in Portsmouth won station of the year (area with fewer than 300,000 adults) and Citybeat picked up the mid-market station of the year award. Full list and pictures in Issue 795 of The Radio Magazine

...read on

2014 and digital radio will pay spectrum fees - Sun, 01, Jul, 2007

As part of Ofcom’s move to charge for spectrum, broadcasters will have to pay fees for their use of spectrum for digital broadcasting. This will include the BBC. ...read on

Ofcom plans could destabilise radio - Sun, 01, Jul, 2007

The BBC has expressed “serious concerns” over Ofcom’s proposed notice period for switching off analogue radio. It says Ofcom risks “entirely destabilising the radio sector.” ...read on

Chrysalis sold for £170m - Sun, 01, Jul, 2007

The sale of Chrysalis Radio to Global Radio, a newly formed company chaired by fromer ITV boss Charles Allen should placate the City and restore faith in commercial radio. Head of Radio Phil Riley stays but Chief Executive Richard Huntingford goes. ...read on

GMap speculation rubbished - Sun, 01, Jul, 2007

We’ve plenty on our plate says GCap boss Ralph Bernard. A merger between GCap and Emap is not thought to be on the cards. The City agrees.

...read on

Call for music quotas - Thu, 21, Jun, 2007

R & B singer Beverley Knight, taking part in commercial radio's 'The Big Listen' last weekend has said that stations should play a fixed amount of British music to help new acts break into the mainstream. ...read on

GMG to embrace news hubs - Thu, 21, Jun, 2007

Three new news hubs are to be created in London, Glasgow and Manchester to feed all eleven stations, across the three principal brands (Smooth, Real and Century) that make up GMG Radio. ...read on

CN gets green light for daytime network - Thu, 21, Jun, 2007

CN Group has been given the go ahead to network daytime output across five stations: Touch FM - in Coventry, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Tamworth, plus Rugby FM and Oak FM (Loughborough). ...read on

Station websites could be a goldmine - Fri, 15, Jun, 2007

First Radio Sales plan to take bookings for online advertising in conjunction with airtime bookings for its 130 client radio stations. Radio station websites, if used like a local portal, could become a goldmine they say. ...read on

IOW Radio praised but Century gets all-clear, just - Fri, 15, Jun, 2007

Two stations IOW Radio and Century (North West) were recently ‘snooped’ by Ofcom. It was revealed that the Century station could do better having “no room for complacency”. Tiny IOW Radio was praised for providing a “highly-focussed local service”. ...read on

"Catch 22" for analogue radio - Fri, 15, Jun, 2007

Analogue stations are in a “catch 22” situation, forced to invest in digital technology while still reliant on their old analogue business model, said RadioCentre boss Andrew Harrison at this week’s Digital Radio Conference. ...read on

Two stations rapped for code breaches - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

UKRD's Star Radio in Cambridge and GCap's SGR were rapped by regulator Ofcom for editorial and advertising code breaches. Both were warned but not fined. ...read on

Green light for FiveLive in Salford - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

Members of the BBC Trust have reached agreement with the developer of the Salford site which when finished, will house Radio FiveLive in 2011. ...read on

Old media buys new media - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

US broadcasting giant CBS has bought Last.fm for £140m. The acquisition of the British company is seen as a way of boosting its digital offering while reacting to the social networking phenomenon. ...read on

Duncan George exits GCap - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

The man credited with setting up GWR's sales function Opus is to leave GCap Media with no job to go to. It is understood he will not be replaced. The move follows the arrival of former Capital Radio sales supremo and Virgin Radio boss, Fru Hazlitt who has been charged with running GCap's London stations as well as developing online activities for the group. ...read on

FM and DAB on an iPod - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

Manufacturer Roberts has developed a plug-in for iPods to receive radio stations too. Research from Apple suggests that users of MP3 players miss having access to their favourite radio stations. ...read on

30 Brits bid for New York Awards success - Thu, 07, Jun, 2007

Nearly 30 UK radio stations and independent producers have been nominated for this year's New York Awards. ...read on

GCap gets XFM South Wales - Thu, 17, May, 2007

GCap shook off competition for the last FM regional licence with its bid for XFM. But the media company has announced it will be scrapping presenter-led programming across all XFM services from the end of this month. (10:00 am to 4:00 pm). ...read on

RAJAR - Thu, 17, May, 2007

Full tables, all stations, year on year comparison plus analysis in Issue 788 or The Radio Magazine. Vaughan still king of London. Moyles busts 7m adult mark. ...read on

Capital Disney to close - Thu, 17, May, 2007

That's all folks! Capital Disney is to fall silent next month as GCap Media and the Walt Disney Company end their five year collaboration. ...read on

Banks exits Kiss 100 in shock move - Thu, 17, May, 2007

Emap is remaining tight-lipped over the reasons behind the sudden departure of breakfast host Robin Banks. Banks parted company with Kiss 100 and the talent company that used to manage him. ...<