wiki143 - User contributions [en]

KZII-FM

2025-06-10T16:48:22Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KZII-FM
| logo = Kisslogo.png
| city = [[Lubbock, Texas]]
| country = US
| area = [[Lubbock, Texas]]
| branding = 102.5 Kiss FM
| frequency = 102.5 [[MHz]]
| airdate = March 10, 1982 (as KRUX)
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]
| erp = 100,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|249|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = C1
| facility_id = 61150
| coordinates = {{coord|33|31|4.10|N|101|51|23.20|W|type:landmark_region:US-TX_source:FCC|name=KZII-FM}}
| callsign_meaning = A nod to the now-former "Z102" slogan or similar to "kiss"
| former_callsigns = KRUX (1981–1985) KFYO-FM (1985–1986)
| owner = [[Townsquare Media]]
| licensee = Townsquare License, LLC
| affiliations = [[Compass Media Networks]] [[Premiere Networks]]
| sister_stations = [[KFMX-FM]], [[KFYO (AM)|KFYO]], [[KKAM]], [[KKCL-FM]], [[KQBR]]
| webcast = [https://1025kiss.com/listen-live/ Listen Live]
| website = [https://1025kiss.com 1025kiss.com]
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}

'''KZII-FM''' (102.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]), known as "102-5 Kiss FM" is a [[Contemporary hit radio|top 40 (CHR)]] formatted [[radio station]] serving [[Lubbock, Texas]]. The station is owned by [[Townsquare Media]]. Its studios and transmitter are located in south Lubbock.

==History==
KZII went on air on April 15, 1948 as KFYO-FM. According to Jack Dale, it signed off a few years later (in 1950) after limited use. From the 1950 edition of Broadcasting Yearbook KFYO-FM broadcast on 99.5 FM (now the present-day KQBR-FM, Lonestar 99.5) at 13,000 watts of power. Then in mid-March 1982 the station was back on the air as KRUX. Studios were on the third floor of the Plains Bank building at 5010 50th, and the transmitter was at 98th and University (the KJTV tower). Station featured "six packs" of country music. It was owned by Rex Broadcasting Corporation, owner of [[KCUB (AM)|KCUB]] and [[KIIM-FM]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]], and [[KROD (AM)|KROD]] and [[KLAQ]] in El Paso, Texas.

Rex was owned by Jim Sloane, and had filed for the station on 102.5 in 1977. A couple of other local stations (580 KDAV and 1590 KEND) also filed for the channel. The original engineering had been prepared by Guy Smith at the Ray Moran stations (Albuquerque and Roswell). Moran filed for 101.1 in 1973 and received it unopposed in 1973, went on air in 1974. Sloane delayed filing until the later 1970s and ended up in a [[comparative hearing]] for the station.

KRUX was sold to the owners of crosstown 790 [[KFYO (AM)|KFYO]] in mid-1985. Studios were consolidated at the KFYO Transmitter Site at 4322 82nd Street (present-day Kingsgate North shopping center). Then, in 1986 the Z102/KFYO studios and KFYO 790 AM transmitter site were moved to 143rd Street & South Slide Road, south of Lubbock, south of FM 1585. The studios were then moved again in the Fall of 1996 to the then Gulfstar (later Capstar, then AM/FM, then Clear Channel in 2001, then GAP and now Townsquare Media) studios at 4413 82nd Street (82nd and Quaker).

By year end in 1985, the 102.5 transmitter had been relocated to a temporary location in north Lubbock, and in 1985-1986 the transmitter was moved to a new tower at 82nd and Avenue P (The Lubbock Tower) shared by then 94.5 KFMX, 96.3 KLLL, 99.5 KRLB (now KQBR), and 102.5 KFYO-FM. In the late 1990s ('98 or '99) 98.1 KKCL moved on to The Lubbock Tower, with 95.5 KAIQ-FM moving onto The Lubbock Tower in 2004.

After Gulfstar's parent company, Capstar, merged with Chancellor Broadcasting, these stations were eventually sold to one of the Hicks family controlled groups that were later rolled up into [[Clear Channel Communications]].

In 2006, Clear Channel announced they were going private, and later announced they would sell many of their smaller market stations, including their cluster in Lubbock. GAP Broadcasting purchased these stations, including KZII-FM.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at midnight, GAP Broadcasting dropped the Z102 format in favor of the "[[KISS-FM (brand)|Kiss FM]]" branding. The station became 102.5 Kiss FM at 5 p.m. on March 20, 2009.

What eventually became Gap Central Broadcasting (following the formation of [[GapWest Broadcasting]]) was folded into [[Townsquare Media]] on August 13, 2010.<ref name="rbr-gaptownsquare">{{cite news|title=Townsquare Media completes roll-up of GAP|url=http://www.rbr.com/radio/radio_deals/26710.html|access-date=August 15, 2010|newspaper=Radio Business Report|date=August 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121043217/http://www.rbr.com/radio/radio_deals/26710.html|archive-date=January 21, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Programming==
Kiss FM's current format is [[Mainstream CHR]] which is a variant of [[Top 40]], although the station has shifted between Mainstream CHR and Rhythmic CHR over the past 10 years, as different stations entered the Lubbock market to compete.

From the 1990s through mid-2001, Z102 was the home of Jay (Shannon), Chris (Kelly) and Dina (Morales) in the Morning. The show was regionally syndicated throughout West Texas in the late 1990s, 2000 & 2001. Affiliate stations included Power 98.7 in Amarillo, 103.3 KCRS-FM Midland/Odessa and 100.7 FM in Abilene. The show (and Texas syndication) briefly moved to 96.7 KHFI-FM, in Austin, in 2001. Before the end of 2001, Chris & Dina moved back to Lubbock to host "Chris & Dina in the Morning" which was exclusively heard on Z102. Jay Shannon then went on to serve two separate stints as OM/PD for KHFI from 2001 to 2014. In his time at KHFI, Shannon found a DJ named [[Bobby Bones (broadcaster)|Bobby Bones]] and eventually created a morning show centered on him. The present-day [[Bobby Bones Show]] was originally patterned after "Jay, Chris & Dina in the Morning" with Bobby filling the role that Jay served, Lunchbox filling the antagonist Chris Kelly role and Amy taking Dina's role.

For a number of years in the 2000s, into the early 2010s, on Saturdays from 8 to 11PM KISS FM broadcast live from Heaven Nightclub called "Saturday Night Heaven". The remote broadcast was ended in 2011. In March 2016, assistant program director Boleo brought back the weekend party with Turn Up Friday's which originates from Lubbock's Club Pink. It would later move to Saturday nights in a sporadic fashion.

The 5 O'Clock Bomboocha began on KISS FM in February 2017. The original host was Tommy the Hacker simulcasting from Townsquare sister station 96.9 KXSS FM, Tommy the Hacker would do the show from Wild 104.3 - KQFX-FM Amarillo - after his departure from KXSS. In late March 2017, DJ Lopez would take over hosting and DJ duties on the Bomboocha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://1025kiss.com/we-answer-your-questions-about-the-bomboocha/|title = All of Your Questions About the Bomboocha Answered [Video]}}</ref> As of June 2018 hosting duties were split between DJ Lopez, Tommy the Hacker and Local DJ Ricky Ri. The Bomboocha was discontinued in July 2019 by Townsquare Corporate despite local outrage for the cancellation.

On air, Z102's positioning included "Hot Hitz, 102.5 Z102"; "H - I - T - Z102" (spelling of "hits"); "Continuous Hit Music, 102.5 Z102"; "Your #1 Hit Music Station, 102.5 Z102"; and was "Lubbock's #1 Hit Music Station, Z102" prior to changing to the "Kiss FM" branding. Current branding is All The Hits, 102.5 KISS FM.

==Personalities==
Current on-air personalities include - The Jubal Show, Midday Michelle, E, and PopCrush Nights with Kayla Thomas.

Former on-air personalities include - Boleo (Who is still with Townsquare Media as an engineer in Abilene, Midland, and San Angelo Texas.),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://b93.net/author/boleo/|title = Boleo}}</ref> DJ Ricky Ri, Renee Raven (Who is currently on Townsquare's KFMX.),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kfmx.com/show/renee-raven/|title = Renee Raven - Listen Live}}</ref> 'E' aka The Heathen formerly part of The Rockshow on FMX, Big (who died in September 2019),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kfmx.com/rest-in-peace-brian-big-williams/|title = Rest in Peace, Brian 'Big' Williams}}</ref> Lisa Paige, Jess, Steve Sever, Jay Shannon, Chris Kelly, Dina Morales, Bobby Ramos, DJ Lopez, Tommy the Hacker, Kelli D'Angelo, Cory Austin, The Jammer

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{FM station data|61150|KZII-FM}}

{{Lubbock Radio}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in Texas}}
{{Townsquare Media}}

{{coord|33.518|N|101.857|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Lubbock, Texas|ZII-FM]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Townsquare Media radio stations]]

WGVX

2025-06-04T07:07:28Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Radio station in Lakeville, Minnesota}}
{{Redirect|WLUP (FM)|the former WLUP-FM in Chicago|WCKL (FM)|other uses|WLUP (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|WRXP|the [[New York City]] radio station that held the WRXP call letters from 2008-2011 and in 2012|WFAN-FM|the [[Newark, New Jersey]]/[[New York City]] metro radio station that briefly held the WRXP call letters in 2013|WXBK}}
{{Redirect|WWWM-FM|other uses|WWWM (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Multiple issues|{{more footnotes needed|date=October 2015}}
{{original research|date=October 2015}}}}

{{Infobox radio station
| name = Love 105
| logo = LOVE 105.png
| city = [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]], Minnesota
| country = US
| rds = '''105.1:''' PI: 66B9 PS/RT: Love 105 '''105.7:''' PI: 9108 PS/RT: LOVE 105
| branding = Love 105
| format = [[Adult contemporary music#Soft adult contemporary|Soft adult contemporary]]
| affiliations = {{Ubl|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Premiere Networks]]|[[Westwood One]]}}
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holdings LLC
| sister_stations = [[KQRS-FM]], [[KXXR]]
| webcast = {{Ubl|{{listenlive|http://player.listenlive.co/24771}}|{{iHeartRadio|5356}}}}
| website = {{url|https://love105fm.com}}
| embedded = ''For technical information, see {{section link||Stations}}.''
}}

'''Love 105''' is a [[trimulcast]] of three radio stations in [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]], Minnesota, United States, that feature a [[Adult contemporary music#Soft adult contemporary|soft adult contemporary]] format. The trimulcast is composed of: '''WGVX''' (105.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]), licensed to [[Lakeville, Minnesota]]; '''WLUP''' (105.3 FM), licensed to [[Cambridge, Minnesota]]; and '''WWWM-FM''' (105.7 FM), licensed to [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota]]. All three stations are owned by [[Cumulus Media]].

The studios and offices are in Southeast Minneapolis in the [[Como, Minneapolis|Como]] district. WGVX's [[transmitter]] is located southeast of [[Apple Valley, Minnesota|Apple Valley]], WLUP's transmitter is located in [[Cambridge, Minnesota|Cambridge]], and WWWM-FM's transmitter is located atop the [[IDS Center]] in [[downtown Minneapolis]].

==History==

===Three signals, one station===
Prior to their unification as REV105, the three stations were known by other names.

Today's WGVX was first licensed as KZPZ on November 15, 1990. It was officially signed on the air in late [[1992 in radio|1992]] as WTCX by J. Tom Lijewski, who had previously worked at other Twin Cities stations. The station aired a [[Hot AC]] format targeting the south metro area of the Twin Cities. This was the initial FM station later purchased by Cargill Communications in 1993 to form REV105 a year later, when the call letters were changed to KREV.

WLUP is the oldest of the three stations, having signed on the air June 21, 1973 on 105.5 as KABG, with a [[middle of the road (music)|Middle of the Road]] format. The call letters were changed to KXLV in [[1983 in radio|1983]], and in [[1991 in radio|1991]], the station increased its power, which necessitated a move to 105.3. On December 13, 1991, it became the latest of the many frequencies to use the [[WLOL (AM)|WLOL]] call letters, after [[KSJN|WLOL]]-FM was purchased by [[Minnesota Public Radio]] and the KSJN call letters were moved from 91.1 to 99.5 earlier that year. This longtime [[Adult contemporary music|AC]] station became the northern signal of REV105, with the call letters changed to WREV in 1994.

WWWM-FM was first licensed as KOUO on March 26, 1992 to Jack Moore (creator/owner of the former Twin Cities stations [[KXXR|WAYL]] (93.7 FM) and [[KQQL|KTWN]] (107.9 FM)). It signed on as KCFE on March 11, 1993, airing a [[smooth jazz]]/[[adult album alternative]] format (which resembled the original format of [[KTCZ|Cities 97]] from the 1980s) as "Cafe 105.7". It was modeled largely on Moore's KTWN, from the late 1970s to early 80s. The station carried [[Don Imus]]'s [[radio syndication|syndicated]] morning show for a short time. In October 1996, KCFE was sold to Cargill and briefly became REV105's third transmitter, prior to all three stations being sold to ABC Radio the following March.

===REV105===
REV105, "Revolution Radio," was owned by Cargill Communications, headed by Jim and Susan Cargill, heirs to the massive [[Cargill]] company fortune. It broadcast under the call signs KREV, WREV, and later KCFE on three different frequencies (105.1, 105.3 and 105.7). REV105 played a fairly wide variety of music, mostly [[alternative rock]], and put a lot of time into promoting music from local performers. Minnesota has a very active music community, and a number of diverse artists have received national attention (see [[Music of Minnesota]]). Area [[high school]] students also contributed to some of the programming put on the air, such as the weekly "Rock 'n' Roll Homeroom".

The station's genesis came out of another station. From 1990 to 1992, [[KZJK|KJJO]] (KJ104) was an adventurous [[modern rock]] station, and gained a devoted (if small) listening audience. The station switched to [[country music]] in 1992, and many held out hope that KJ104's format would resurface soon. Two former KJ104 staffers, Brian Turner and Kevin Cole, actively sought out stations to pick up the format. On several occasions, they were turned down by previous owners of both WTCX and KCFE.

Finally, with financial backing from the Cargills, Turner and Cole found that the owner of WTCX was ready to sell. In [[1993 in radio|November 1993]], the Cargills purchased WTCX for $2.6 million, along with [[big band music]]-formatted [[KMNV|KLBB]] for $1 million and small suburban [[country music]] outlet [[KMNQ|KBCW]] for $400,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-01-11 |title= |url=http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/archive/tcr1993.txt |access-date=2024-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000111022448/http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/archive/tcr1993.txt |archive-date=2000-01-11 }}</ref> The plan was to turn the one FM and two AMs into a modern rock radio network, eventually simulcasting programming around the country. Plans eventually changed, and they decided to go with a more local approach (though REV105 did syndicate a show, [[Spin (magazine)|Spin Radio]], for a short time). Soon, the Cargills were able to purchase WLOL (located next to WTCX on the dial, but broadcasting from a location far to the north). Turner, Cole, and the Cargills were reluctant to change the [[big band music]] format on KLBB, since it did have a small, if dedicated, following, and decided not only to keep the format, but to simulcast it on their other AM signal, 1470 (105.3's legendary call letters, WLOL, were shifted to 1470). The only other changes made to KLBB was to give it a "hipper" sound, incorporating more [[lounge music]] and fresher advertising and imaging. Hence, the foundation of Rev 105 was set, with KREV and WREV soon to come.

The group's intended programming plans were public knowledge at the time and highly publicized. [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Radio]] already owned [[classic rock]] [[KQRS-FM]] and felt the time was right to lay its own claim to the rapidly rising [[alternative rock]] format. On February 4, 1994, ABC agreed to purchase KQRS' main rival, [[KXXR|KRXX]], from [[Entercom]], and KQRS management immediately took control of the station. Within two days, the former 93X became the Twin Cities' newest modern rock station, "93.7 The Edge". In effect, ABC killed two birds with one stone by striking down a rival to KQRS, and warding off a potential new one. This did not change Turner's and Cole's plans at all, as they felt their station would be different enough to compete in the market. Pending [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) approval of Cargill's own station deals, WTCX officially went off the air February 7, 1994 (coincidentally, the first full day of The Edge's new format). WLOL followed on April 24. On May 1, REV105's eclectic new alternative rock format took to the air, with the first official song being "[[Crazy (Willie Nelson song)|Crazy]]" by [[Patsy Cline]].<ref>Noel Holston, "KMOJ troubles give other stations an opportunity to do a good tune," ''The Star Tribune'', May 14, 1994.</ref>

REV105 was a unique station. It would not be an ordinary, consultant-programmed modern rock station like "The Edge". Rather, it took many elements from typical modern rock stations, added a heavy amount of new, obscure and local artists, and mixed in other musical styles such as [[industrial music|industrial]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[classic rock]], [[hip hop music|hip-hop]], [[world music|world]], [[dance music|dance]] and [[techno music|techno]]. According to Cole, when REV started, it would play the newly popular [[Green Day]] next to old [[The Who|Who]] songs, comparing and contrasting two different instances of similar music.<ref name="Minnesota Daily">{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Daily |url=http://www.beatworld.com/press/mndaily2.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.beatworld.com}}</ref> In addition, there were a large number of specialty shows, featuring other musical styles like "old school" funk, imports, club mixes and [[ambient music]]. REV105 was instrumental in introducing newer artists to the airwaves, such as [[Ani DiFranco]] and [[Soul Coughing]]. As [[music critic]] [[Jim DeRogatis]] said, "The brilliance of REV105 was that I would hear a set that would go [[Bob Marley]] to [[Nine Inch Nails]] to [[Black Sabbath]]. And that's how real people listen to music."{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The new "Revolution Radio" was a mild success, even with the high-powered competition from "The Edge". In the first full ratings book, it earned a 1.5 overall [[Arbitron]] rating, and did even better in the 18-34 age breakdown. Ratings were hampered throughout the station's history by signal reception issues, the eclectic nature of its format, and its limited budget. Signal issues were perhaps its biggest issue, as Rev's ratings were similar or higher than any of its successor stations. The limited transmitter reach of 105.1 and 105.3 were helped when Cargill purchased another neighboring signal, KCFE, in October 1996, which improved its reach in the southwest suburbs and particularly in Minneapolis, where a large number of its listeners resided.

===Switch to X105===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em"
|+ Formats of the 105s
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Format
! scope="col" | Duration
|-
! scope="row" | REV 105
| [[Alternative rock|Alternative]] || 1994–1997
|-
! scope="row" | X105
| [[Active rock]] || 1997
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | Zone 105
| [[Adult Album Alternative|AAA]] || 1997–1999
|-
| Classic alternative || 1999–2000
|-
| Alternative || 2000–2001
|-
! scope="row" | V105
| [[Rhythmic oldies]] || 2001–2002
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Drive 105
| AAA || 2002–2004
|-
| Alternative || 2004–2007
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Love 105 FM
| [[Adult Contemporary|Soft AC]]/[[Oldies]] || 2007–2012
|-
| [[Adult contemporary|Mainstream AC]] || 2012–2013
|-
! scope="row" | 105 The Ticket
| [[Sports]] || 2013–2015
|-
! scope="row" | 105 The Vibe
| [[Classic hip hop]] || 2015–2018
|-
! scope="row" | Love 105 FM
| Soft AC || 2018–present
|}
REV105 enjoyed an almost three-year run, but the end came at noon on March 11, 1997, when the station was purchased by competitor [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]/[[Capital Cities Communications|Capital Cities]]/[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], which already owned two powerful 100,000 [[watt]] stations in the Twin Cities, [[KQRS-FM]] and [[KXXR|KEGE]] ("The Edge"). By 1:15 that afternoon, most of the air staff was fired, and after playing "[[Hello, Goodbye]]" by [[The Beatles]], the station was reborn with a [[hard rock]] format as "X105", with the three stations receiving the call letters KXXP, KXXU and KXXR. The first song on "X105" was "[[Rock You Like a Hurricane]]" by [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]].<ref>Jon Bream, "Revolution Radio surrenders to hard-rock format," ''The Star Tribune'', March 12, 1997.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/rev-105-becomes-x105/|title=Rev 105 Becomes X105|date=March 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-1997-03-14 |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-03-14.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref>

This situation became a focal point for critics of the [[Telecommunications Act of 1996]]. Fans of REV105 banded together to protest the loss of REV105, and out of this, the group [http://www.radiodiversity.com/ Americans for Radio Diversity] was formed. The purchase received fairly widespread news coverage, with articles appearing in [[Billboard magazine|''Billboard'' magazine]] and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', where [[Soul Coughing]] frontman [[Mike Doughty]] stated, "Having officially walked through every radio station in North America, I can honestly say REV was the only one that had a cause that was righteous."{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Many feel that the motivation to purchase REV105 was to eliminate the competition, as ABC obtained the rights to all [[intellectual property]] of REV105, including its logos and website, and Cargill reportedly signed a [[non-compete agreement]]. The purchase was seen in some ways as a defensive maneuver against other growing radio conglomerates such as Chancellor Broadcasting, which then owned seven radio stations in the Twin Cities (eventually purchased by radio giant [[Clear Channel Communications]] in 1999). Of course, Cargill could not compete as a stand-alone owner in this environment and saw this as a perfect opportunity to sell the station. According to Cargill, "As we saw all this consolidation in the market, we just didn't feel we were going to be able to survive."<ref name="Minnesota Daily"/>

REV105 was in many ways a successor to the Twin Cities area's original "alternative" station, KJJO (now [[KZJK]]), which changed its format in 1992. Kevin Cole, the former program director at REV105, and a veteran of the old KJ104, later resurfaced at [[KEXP]] in [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]]. General Manager Brian Turner eventually went back to [[KTCZ]], where he worked in the 1980s, to host its morning show, and later worked at upstart alternative rock station [[KMWA|KTWN]]. In 2005, a few former REV hosts reunited at [[Minnesota Public Radio]] for the launch of [[KCMP]], "89.3 The Current", which airs an [[adult album alternative]] format loosely inspired by REV105.

===Zone 105===
Soon after the birth of X105, a new hard rock station arrived in the Twin Cities when [[KFXN-FM|WBOB]] dropped [[country music]] and switched to a hard rock format with [[Howard Stern]]'s syndicated morning show. ABC has worked to fight off any potential competitors to its main highly rated station, [[KQRS-FM]]. At 2 p.m. on September 18, 1997, KEGE dropped its alternative format and began simulcasting on the 105s as part of a format swap (with KEGE becoming 93X once again). On September 24, after 6 days of simulcasting, the 105s became Zone 105, with an [[adult album alternative|adult alternative]] format. After a few months, 93X took the [[KXXR]] call sign from the former X105, and the three Zone 105 stations became KZNR, KZNT and KZNZ.<ref>Noel Holston, "Hard rockin' radio: Edge and former Rev-105 flip formats," ''The Star Tribune'', September 17, 1997.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-1997-09-26 |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-09-26.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref>

After the station became Zone 105, a few of the old REV hosts were brought back. Brian Oake, who had gone over to The Edge, and [[Mary Lucia]] hosted the morning show. Lucia also hosted a weekly local music program named ''Popular Creeps'' from the local [[Bryant-Lake Bowl]]. ''Creeps'' won multiple awards for programming quality.

Over time, Zone 105 went in more of a classic alternative direction, but toward the end of its run, leaned more towards alternative rock. None of the post-REV 105 incarnations of these frequencies were true alternative rock, as the frequency had to keep a safe distance between itself and sister station 93X. For this reason, any song with a rock "edge" was discarded by the 105s during this time.

===V105===
On March 8, 2001, at 10 a.m., after so-so ratings as an alternative rock station, Zone 105 became V105, and flipped to [[rhythmic oldies]]. The first song as "V105" was "[[Love Train]]" by [[The O'Jays]].<ref>Noel Holston, "Zone 105 finds a new rhythm, switches to R&B," ''The Star Tribune'', March 9, 2001.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=City Pages |url=http://citypages.com/databank/22/1058/article9435.asp |website=citypages.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-2001-03-16 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-03-16.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref> The call letters were changed to WGVX, WGVY and WGVZ. V105 lasted less than a year before reverting to a revised version of the old "Zone" format as "Drive 105" on January 17, 2002.<ref>Chris Riemenschneider, "105-FM backtracks to alternative," ''The Star Tribune'', January 18, 2002.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-2002-01-25 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-01-25.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref>

===Drive 105===
Drive 105's format was an adult-oriented version of the alternative rock format, and similar in many ways to the previous Zone 105. However, the fact that it was forced to distance themselves from sister station 93X by avoiding harder-edged rock meant that it played a lot of music that has more in common with the [[Adult album alternative|AAA]] format. For the better part of the last several years, the station frequently promoted "This station is ''not'' owned or operated by [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]]," though the station was actually part of another huge media conglomerate, [[The Walt Disney Company]].

Drive 105, along with sister stations [[KQRS-FM]] and [[KXXR]] (93X), were often referred to as Disney's "Wall Of Rock". Both 93X and the 105's are programmed with formats designed to fight competition off of Disney's flagship in the market, top-rated KQRS. When [[KFXN-FM|WRQC]] became a rival to KQRS in 1997, the current KXXR switched to a similar format, despite a profitable alternative format already on that frequency. It is widely known in the local market that Disney would go to great lengths to protect its "[[cash cow]]".

In fact, Drive 105 was in large part created to ward off competition from [[KTCZ]] ("Cities 97"). After the fall of Zone 105 and in the months before Drive 105 was created, Cities 97 made significant gains in the 25-54 age group. Disney saw this as a threat to KQRS and created Drive 105 originally to jab at Cities 97's ratings. To keep a distance from sister 93X, the station targeted an older age group than most alternative stations. Like predecessor Zone 105, Drive would avoid any song that featured a significant amount of guitar distortion. When the station first began in January 2002, it aired messages such as, "Remember when Cities 97 and KS95 sounded different? We do, that's why we're true to the music." This was a stab at Cities 97's old slogan, "true to the music," and a criticism of a recent tweak in the direction of pop-sounding [[KSTP-FM|KS95]]. During its first two years on the air, Drive 105 frequently made cracks at Cities 97. However, this came to an end after criticism from the public and as the station began to take on an identity of its own.

===Love 105===
[[File:Love FM 105 logo.png|thumb|right|"Love 105" logo (2007–2013)]]
Ratings-wise, Drive 105, like all of the previous formats, were hampered by the limited signal reach in the Twin Cities area and experienced only moderate success, usually reaching a 1% or 2% overall ratings share. Just before 3:00 p.m. on May 7, 2007, the plug was pulled on the three signals' longest-running incarnation to that point. Drive 105 played its last song, "[[Say It Ain't So]]" by [[Weezer]], prior to temporarily switching over to a simulcast of sister station KXXR, in anticipation of a format flip. The flip to the [[Soft AC]]/[[Oldies]] format with the moniker "Love 105" happened at 5:30 the next morning, with [[Sonny and Cher]]'s "[[I Got You Babe]]" as the new format's debut song.<ref>Chris Riemenschneider, "Drive 105 is looking for some radio Love," ''The Star Tribune'', May 8, 2007.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/drive-105-becomes-love-105/|title=Drive 105 becomes Love 105|date=May 8, 2007}}</ref>

"Love 105" featured mellow songs by artists including [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]], [[Neil Diamond]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Sade (band)|Sade]], [[Bread (band)|Bread]], and many others. The playlist also initially included occasional [[adult standards]], from the likes of [[Frank Sinatra]] and [[Bobby Darin]], along with some more traditional oldies.

Shortly after the relaunch as Love 105, the station, along with ABC's other non-[[Radio Disney]] and [[ESPN Radio]] stations, were acquired by [[Citadel Broadcasting]]. Citadel merged with [[Cumulus Media]] on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>

[[Citadel Broadcasting]] would move WGVZ's transmitter from Eden Prairie to the [[IDS Center|IDS tower]] in downtown Minneapolis. This significantly improved reception of the station in [[Minneapolis]] and western [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] despite the drop in [[effective radiated power]] from 5,800 watts to 950 watts.

On April 13, 2012, the station transitioned to mainstream [[adult contemporary]], dropping all pre-1970s oldies, and adding current adult contemporary fare to fill the void left by [[KMNB|WLTE]], when that station flipped to [[country music]] the previous December.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/56943/love-adjusts-in-the-twin-cities/|title=Love Adjusts In The Twin Cities|date=April 13, 2012}}</ref> In November 2012, Love 105 switched to all-[[Christmas music]] during the holidays, again filling a void created by the departure of WLTE.

On November 26, WGVY's call letters were changed to WNSH;<ref name=fcc-wlupcallsigns>{{cite web|title=Call Sign History (WLUP)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=54838&Callsign=WLUP|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> the call signs of WGVX and WGVZ remained unchanged. The call sign change was temporary, done to "park" the call letters so that they could later be used on [[WXBK|FM 94.7]] in [[New York City]], which would use the calls to reflect its "[[Nash FM]]" country music franchise.<ref>[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=2607696 "Cumulus Announces National "Nash" Brand For Country Entertainment,"] from FMQB, 1/22/2013</ref> On January 29, 2013, the [[WXBK|WNSH]] call letters moved to New York, with the WRXP call letters parked on 105.3.<ref>{{cite web|title=FCC Station Facility Details - WRXP |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=54838|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=January 29, 2013}}</ref>

===105 The Ticket===
[[File:The Ticker Sportsradio 105fm logo.png|thumb|left|150px|Former "105 The Ticket" logo, 2013-2015]]
At 8 a.m. on March 30, 2013, a day after inadvertently releasing a new logo and identity ("Radio 105") online (and after playing "[[Some Nights (song)|Some Nights]]" by [[Fun (band)|Fun]] and "[[Dreams (Fleetwood Mac song)|Dreams]]" by [[Fleetwood Mac]]), the three stations dropped the AC format and began stunting with a broad range of music with no liners except for legally-mandated top-of-the-hour IDs. After [[Stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] all weekend, on April 1 at 11 a.m., after playing "[[Gangnam Style]]" by [[Psy]], the three stations dropped music altogether and became a [[CBS Sports Radio]] [[Network affiliate]] as "105 The Ticket".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/81421/love-105-becomes-radio-105/|title=Cumulus Debuts 105 The Ticket Minneapolis|date=April 1, 2013}}</ref>

The station's programming was mainly made up of nationally syndicated sports talk shows from CBS Sports Radio, including ''The D.A. Show'', ''TBD in the AM'', ''The [[John Feinstein]] Show'', ''[[The Jim Rome Show]]'', ''[[The Doug Gottlieb Show]]'', ''Mojo'', and ''[[Ferrall on the Bench]]''.

On September 9, 2013, [[Mike Morris (long snapper)|Mike Morris]] and Bob Sansevere began hosting ''Mike & Bob Afternoons'' that aired from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Morris is a former [[Minnesota Vikings|Minnesota Viking]] long snapper, while Sansevere is a longtime ''[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]'' columnist and former contributor to the [[The KQ92 Morning Show|KQ92 Morning Show]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Barnard joins FM 105 The Ticket |url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/1038428/396/Tom-Barnard-joins-FM-105-The-Ticket |website=kare11.com}}</ref>

On June 9, 2015, 105.1/105.3/105.7 dropped Sansevere, Morris, and Holsen in favor of running CBS Sports Radio around the clock.<ref name="radioinsight.com">{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/93280/minneapolis-ticket-drops-local-programming/|title=Minneapolis' Ticket Drops Local Programming|date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> Program Director Scott Jameson told the ''St. Paul Pioneer Press'' that the stations would "provide an alternative to the other two local (sports) stations" and "focus on the network product and provide it to people who prefer that." The stations retained local high school sports coverage on weekends. The change came as the stations registered just a 0.3 share in the previous three Nielsen Audio PPM ratings, well behind iHeartMedia's [[KFXN-FM]] and Hubbard's [[KSTP (AM)|KSTP]].<ref name="radioinsight.com"/>

The Ticket, in an oversaturated sports talk market, did not live up to expectations, garnering less than 1.0 overall in the Arbitron ratings (with the final rating being a meager 0.1 in the July 2015 ratings).

===105 The Vibe===
[[File:WGVX WRXP and WGVZ station logo.png|thumb|right|150px|"105 The Vibe" logo (2015–2018)]]
On August 14, 2015, at 3 p.m., the 105 frequencies flipped to classic hip hop as “105 The Vibe”, which competed with [[K273BH]]/[[KTCZ-FM]] HD3 in the format. At the time of the launch, the Twin Cities market did not have a single commercial [[Urban contemporary|Urban]], [[Urban AC]] or [[Rhythmic contemporary|Rhythmic CHR]] formatted station. The only station that came close to the Urban/Rhythmic format was non-commercial [[KMOJ]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/94115/classic-hip-hop-vibe-comes-to-the-twin-cities/|title=Classic Hip-Hop Vibe Comes To The Twin Cities|date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, [[KNOF]] flipped to KZGO with a current-based Rhythmic CHR format.

On June 22, 2016, WGVZ changed its call letters, no longer matching its simulcast partners. It is now WWWM-FM, part of a warehousing move where a co-owned station in [[Toledo, Ohio]], changed its call letters to [[WQQO]] from WWWM-FM.

In June 2018, Cumulus Media applied to move the WLUP call letters to the WRXP signal in Minneapolis. The previous WLUP in New York state became [[WSNO-FM|WXMS]] upon acceptance of the application by the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168804/cumulus-applies-to-move-wlup-calls-to/|title=Cumulus Applies To Move WLUP Calls To... - RadioInsight|date=2018-06-06|work=RadioInsight|access-date=2018-06-06|language=en-US}}</ref> The change took effect on June 12, 2018.<ref name=fcc-wlupcallsigns/> Cumulus had acquired the WLUP call sign earlier that year as part of its purchase of Chicago radio station [[WKQX (FM)|WKQX]] from Merlin Media (whose CEO, [[Randy Michaels]], owns the New York state station through [[Radioactive, LLC]]); the WLUP-FM call letters were formerly used on another Chicago station, [[WCKL (FM)|WCKL]], prior to its 2018 sale from Merlin Media to the [[Educational Media Foundation]].<ref name="ri-wlupcumulus">{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Cumulus To Acquire 101.1 WKQX Chicago & WLUP IP |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167580/cumulus-to-acquire-101-1-wkqx-chicago-wlup-ip/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |work=RadioInsight |date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

The ratings, however, still remained low for the trimulcast, with just an 0.8 in their last books under the format, the October 2018 Nielsen Audio ratings.

===Love 105 returns===
On November 8, 2018, at Midnight, the 105 frequencies flipped to [[Christmas music]], reviving the "Love 105" branding. The relaunch was mainly because of the overall success the trimulcast had experienced during its first run under the "Love 105" branding and Oldies/AC format. On December 28, at Midnight, the stations officially returned to the [[Soft AC]]/[[Oldies]] format they first pioneered in 2007 by playing "[[Yesterday Once More (song)|Yesterday Once More]]" by [[The Carpenters]] and "[[Love Will Keep Us Together]]" by [[Captain & Tennille]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDWcWO2ATe0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/lDWcWO2ATe0| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Love 105 FM Format Switch (12-27-2018)|date=December 29, 2018 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171840/love-105-returns-to-the-twin-cities/|title=Love 105 Returns To The Twin Cities|date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>

By March 2023, the station's format shifted to a soft-leaning adult contemporary, with more upbeat titles being added to the playlist.

In May 2023, the nationally syndicated [[Delilah (radio show)|Delilah]] began airing in weekday evenings. [[John Tesh]]'s "Intelligence For Your Life" show, which was previously heard in evenings, was moved to the afternoons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love 105 Adds Delilah |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/251838/love-105-adds-delilah/ |website=radioinsight.com|date=May 8, 2023 }}</ref>

In December 2023, the syndicated [[The Bob & Sheri Show|Bob & Sheri]] morning show was dropped in favor of a local morning show hosted by Chris O'Connor.

===HD Radio===
In July 2019, a transmitter upgrade gave WLUP the ability to broadcast in HD Radio. WGVX and WWWM-FM do not transmit HD Radio signals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hdradio.com/|title=Homepage|website=HD Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCKsPUqjtYw&app=desktop |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/cCKsPUqjtYw| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|date=September 2, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> WLUP turned off its HD1 signal in early 2022.

== Stations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! scope="col" | [[Call signs in North America|Call sign]]
! scope="col" | [[Center frequency|Frequency]]
! scope="col" | [[City of license]]
! scope="col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope="col" | [[Effective radiated power|ERP]] ([[Watt|W]])
! scope="col" | [[Height above average terrain|HAAT]]
! scope="col" | [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class]]
! scope="col" | Transmitter coordinates
! scope="col" | Founded
! scope="col" | Former call signs
|-
! scope="row" | WGVX
| {{Frequency|105.1|[[MHz]]}} || [[Lakeville, Minnesota|Lakeville, MN]] || {{FID|61379}} || 2,600 || {{convert|152|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || A || {{coord|44.701|N|93.151|W|type:landmark_region:US-MN_source:FCC|format=dms}} || 1992 || {{ubl|KZPZ (1990–1993)|WTCX (1993–1994)|KREV (1994–1997)|KXXP (1997)|KZNR (1997–2001)}}
|-
! scope="row" | WLUP
| {{Frequency|105.3|MHz}} || [[Cambridge, Minnesota|Cambridge, MN]] || {{FID|54838}} || 25,000 || {{convert|91|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || C3 || {{coord|45.577778|N|93.215556|W|type:landmark_region:US-MN|name=WLUP|format=dms}} || 1973 || {{ubl|KABG (1973–1983)|KXLV-FM (1983–1991)|WLOL (1991–1994)|WREV-FM (1994–1997)|KXXU (1997)|KZNT (1997–2001)|WGVY (2001–2012)|WNSH (2012–2013)|WRXP (2013–2018)}}
|-
! scope="row" | WWWM-FM
| {{Frequency|105.7|MHz}} || [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie, MN]] || {{FID|61541}} || 950 || {{convert|254|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || A || {{coord|44.976111|N|93.272222|W|type:landmark_region:US-MN|name=WWWM-FM|format=dms}} || 1993 || {{ubl|KOUO (1992–1993)|KCFE (1993–1997)|KXXR (1997)|KZNZ (1997–2001)|WGVZ (2001–2016)}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

* Reece, Doug (April 4, 1998). [http://www.radiodiversity.com/billboard.html KREV Fans Rally for Radio Diversity.] ''Billboard.'' (archived at Americans for Radio Diversity)
* [http://citypages.com/databank/18/885/article2231.asp Evolution Radio] "City Pages"
* Hwang, Francis (April 3, 1997). [http://www.beatworld.com/press/mndaily2.html Radio-Free Minneapolis.] ''[[The Minnesota Daily]].'' (archived at Beatworld.com)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060806030103/http://www.radiodiversity.com/whokilledradio.html Who Killed Rock Radio?]
* [http://www.mndaily.com/daily/1997/03/13/editorial_opinions/erev.ed/ REV 105, the ''Reader'' and Life on Main Street.] ''The Minnesota Daily.''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010503044619/http://www.mndaily.com/daily/1997/03/12/news/rev/ The music stops for alternative station REV 105] ''The Minnesota Daily.''
* Haugen, Dan. "The End of Radio As We Know It." ''[[Star Tribune]].''
* Rand, Michael. [http://sjmc.cla.umn.edu/stupro/resonance/Feature-1.htm Radio Killed the Radio Star.]
* [http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/archive/news0397.htm Northpine.com News Archive: March 1997]
* [http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/archive/ Northpine.com News Archive]
* Van Alstyne, Rob (January 27, 2005). [http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?op=Print&sid=1606 Left of the Dial.] ''[[Pulse of the Twin Cities]].''
* Riemenschneider, Chris (May 7, 2007) [http://www.startribune.com/459/story/1168888.html Drive 105 looking for Love] ''[[Star Tribune]]''
* FCC Database [http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=wwwm]

==External links==
*[http://www.love105.fm Official website]
*[http://www.radiodiversity.com/ Americans for Radio Diversity]
*[http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/thecurrent/ 89.3 KCMP "The Current"] (to hear former Rev105 DJs Mary Lucia, and Steve Nelson)
*[http://www.pessimistic.com/revolution/radio.htm A tribute and memorial to REV 105]
*[http://www.ozones.com/rev105/ REV105 website] by [http://www.ozones.com/ Doc Ozone] & [http://www.musicscene.org/ Gonzo] that was ready to go one week before it went off the air
*[https://www.kexp.org/djs/kevin-cole/ Kevin Cole's page on KEXP]
*[http://www.radiotapes.com radiotapes.com] Featuring Minneapolis/St. Paul radio airchecks including Zone 105

{{Minneapolis-St. Paul Radio}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Minnesota}}
{{Cumulus Media}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Soft adult contemporary radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1992]]

KXXR

2025-06-04T07:06:12Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=October 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2015}}
}}

{{Infobox radio station
| rds = PI: 4F23 PS: Artist Title 93X RT: Artist - Title
| name = KXXR
| logo = KXXR (93X) logo.png
| logo_size =
| city = [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
| area = [[Minneapolis-St. Paul]]
| branding = ''93X''
| frequency = {{Frequency|93.7|[[MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = October [[1960 in radio|1960]] (as WAYL)
| format = [[Active rock]]
| subchannels = HD2: [[WGVX|Love 105]] ([[soft AC]])
| haat = {{convert|315|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = C
| facility_id = 35506
| callsign_meaning = "93X Rocks"
| former_callsigns = WAYL (1960–1988) KLXK (1988–1990) KRXX (1990–1994) KEGE (1994–1997)
| affiliations =
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holdings LLC
| sister_stations = [[KQRS-FM]], [[WGVX]], [[WGVX|WWWM-FM]], [[WGVX|WLUP]]
| webcast = [http://player.listenlive.co/24761 Listen Live] [https://www.iheart.com/live/93x-5348/ Listen Live via iHeart]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}

'''KXXR''' (93.7 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is an [[active rock]]/[[mainstream rock]] [[radio station]] broadcasting to the [[Minneapolis-St. Paul]] [[metropolitan area]]. It is owned by [[Cumulus Media]], which also owns [[KQRS-FM]]. Its transmitter is located in [[Shoreview, Minnesota]]. Its studios are in Northeast Minneapolis in the [[Como, Minneapolis|Como]] district.

==History==
Through much of its early history, the station was known as WAYL, airing a [[beautiful music]] format. When the format fell out of favor nationwide during the 1980s, the frequency enjoyed success with several [[rock music]] formats. The station once broadcast using the [[CAM-D]] system.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080823214223/http://www.wrathofkahn.org/ Wrath of Kahn – CAM-D SERVES TWIN CITIES]. (Archive) Personal website of Leonard R. Kahn, inventor of CAM-D</ref>

===1960–1988: WAYL===
WAYL signed on the air with a [[beautiful music]] format in October 1960<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zR4EAAAAMBAJ&q=WAYL&pg=PA26 |title = Billboard|date = September 12, 1960}}</ref> and originally broadcast on 96.1 FM. They soon began broadcasting in [[stereo]]. A few years later, WAYL moved to 93.7 FM. Entertainment Communications (later [[Entercom]]) acquired the station in 1969.

In 1976, Entercom added an AM sister station with the purchase of [[KKMS (AM)|WYOO]] (980 AM).

===1988–1993: WAYL-FM becomes KLXK, then 93X===
In July 1988, due to the aging demographics of the beautiful music format (and despite high ratings), WAYL became [[classic hits]] KLXK, with the beautiful music format moving to 980 AM.<ref>Noel Holston, "Some WAYL fans not ready to rock 'n' roll," ''The Star Tribune'', July 30, 1988.</ref><ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1988/RR-1988-07-29.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> KLXK was clearly influenced by another young station, [[WKLH]] in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]], which had recently adopted a similar format. KLXK enjoyed modest success, but rival [[KQRS-FM]] had retooled their format to include a large amount of [[classic rock]] product, and also had the top-rated morning show in the market.

KLXK eventually decided to attack KQRS from another front. On January 28, 1992, 93.7 flipped to [[hard rock]] with the [[callsign (radio)|call sign]] KRXX ("93X").<ref>Noel Holston, "'Classic' KLXK switches call letters, goes to hard rock," ''The Star Tribune'', February 1, 1992.</ref><ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-01-31.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> Their co-owned AM station had earlier flipped to a similar hard rock format as KMZZ, initially airing the [[radio syndication|syndicated]] [[Z-Rock]] network for a time before briefly switching to a locally-based automated [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] format ("Mega Rock 980") and finally simulcasting 93X by 1993.

===1994–1997: "The Edge": KQRS buys KRXX===


[[ABC News Radio|Cap Cities/ABC]], the owner of the rival [[KQRS-FM]], took control of 93X pending purchase (but not KMZZ, which was sold separately later) from [[Entercom]] on February 4, 1994. The selling price was $20 million, then a record for the highest amount ever paid for a radio station in the market.<ref>"KQRS owner, Cap Cities, to buy FM competitor KRXX in multimillion-dollar deal," ''The Star Tribune'', February 2, 1994.</ref> The following day, 93X began [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with a loop of one of the most popular stunting songs, "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It]]" by [[R.E.M.]] throughout the weekend. Confused listeners flocked in droves to the KRXX studios in [[Eagan, Minnesota|Eagan]] that Saturday to see what was going on. Some listeners thought the DJs were being held hostage and reportedly, more than 50 calls regarding KRXX were logged to 911. Finally, on Sunday, February 6, at 8 p.m., 93.7 began simulcasting KQRS' weekly [[alternative rock]] show, "Over the Edge", leading the way for "93.7 The Edge", which billed itself as "Minnesota's New Rock Alternative". In a massively popular stunt to secure 93X listeners, the first song played after the switch was the same song as the stunting prior to the launch, "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It]]" by [[R.E.M.]].<ref>Robert Franklin, "Hey, guys, it's not the end of the world," ''The Star Tribune'', February 7, 1994.</ref><ref>Noel Holston, "Suddenly, there's more than one new Edge to alternative rock," ''The Star Tribune'', February 12, 1994.</ref><ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-02-11.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The new [[call sign]] KEGE-FM was soon registered for the new station. The move to create The Edge was due to the growing popularity of [[modern rock]] format nationwide, and to thwart Cargill Communications' pending plans to roll out the format on the new [[Rev 105]]. The Edge came on the air almost two years after [[KZJK|KJJO]] switched to [[country music]], and it did what KJ104 couldn't: it became a massive ratings success. At one point, KEGE had the highest overall [[Arbitron]] market ratings of any modern rock station in the country.

A station-sponsored annual concert known as the “EdgeFest” (later “93XFest”) debuted soon after, and took place annually in [[Somerset, Wisconsin]]. It was so popular that even rival Rev 105 gave away tickets for it (though not mentioning the "Edgefest" name). When KEGE went back to being 93X and the "Edge" name was retired in the Twin Cities, the festival briefly continued as "Edgefest" and was later renamed “93XFest”. The annual festival in Somerset continued until 2004, when "93X Riverfest" replaced it.

===1997–present: The return of 93X===
Following the [[Telecommunications Act of 1996]] that relaxed ownership restrictions, ABC purchased KEGE's rival, [[WGVX|"Rev 105]]" in March 1997 and immediately began broadcasting [[hard rock]] on that station as "X105". Later that year, on September 18, at 2 p.m., the two stations did a format swap of sorts, with 93.7 returning to [[active rock]] and the “93X” moniker with new callsign KXXR, while The Edge's format moved over to the 105 frequencies and rebranded as "Zone 105" (though it would be tweaked to [[adult album alternative]]) on September 24 after six days of simulcasting 93X on all four frequencies. On the final day of broadcasting, The Edge played "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It]]" by [[R.E.M.]] on a continuous loop.<ref>Noel Holston, "Hard rockin' radio: Edge and former Rev-105 flip formats," ''The Star Tribune'', September 17, 1997.</ref>

ABC sold its non-[[Radio Disney]] and [[ESPN Radio]] stations, including KXXR, to [[Citadel Broadcasting]] in 2007. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>

==HD Radio==
In 2007, the station added an HD signal for its main programming. It also offered an [[HD Radio|HD2]] channel featuring a [[contemporary hit radio|CHR]]/[[Top 40]] format branded as "The Machine", which aired for several years until the station ceased HD operations at midnight on December 31, 2014. On January 2, 2018, KXXR-HD2 "The Machine" returned to the air with a [[Top 40]] format.

Programmed by [[KQRS-FM]] jock Chris Nelson, "The Machine" featured a commercial-free top 40 format. KXXR-HD2's main competition included iHeartMedia's heritage CHR station in the market, [[KDWB-FM]], along with Hubbard Broadcasting's [[KSTP-FM]]. Throughout its existence, there was no online stream available for "The Machine", and was exclusive to KXXR-HD2.

In January 2023, KXXR-HD2 switched the format to a simulcast of the "Love 105" [[soft adult contemporary]] format heard on sister stations [[WGVX]], [[WLUP (FM)|WLUP]] and [[WWWM-FM|WWWM]].<ref>[https://www.northpine.com/blog/2023/01/27/weekly-log-forum-enters-st-cloud-new-format-for-neb-panhandle/ Weekly Log: Forum Enters St. Cloud; New Format for Neb. Panhandle] Northpine.com - January 27, 2023</ref>

In May 2023, KXXR discontinued its HD signal altogether due to transmitter issues.

In the early months of 2024, KXXR began transmitting an HD signal once again.

In March 2025, KXXR HD2 discontinued its simulcast of Love 105.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}{{FM station data|35506|KXXR}}
*[http://www.radiotapes.com radiotapes.com] Featuring Minneapolis/St. Paul radio airchecks dating back to 1941 including beautiful music WAYL-FM and an aircheck of the late Tawn Mastrey, an announcer formerly on 93X.

{{Minneapolis-St. Paul Radio}}
{{Active Rock Radio Stations in Minnesota}}
{{Cumulus Media}}

{{coord|45.058|N|93.124|W|type:landmark_region:US-MN_source:FCC|display=title}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
[[Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:HD Radio stations]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1960]]

WNDX

2025-05-28T04:26:14Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Mainstream rock radio station in Lawrence, Indiana, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WNDX
| logo = 93.9 X Indy.PNG
| logo_size = 150px
| city = [[Lawrence, Indiana]]
| area = [[Indianapolis metropolitan area]]
| branding = 93.9X
| frequency = 93.9 [[MHz]] {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1993|2|12}}
| format = [[Mainstream rock]]
| subchannels = HD2: [[WXNT]] simulcast ([[sports radio]])
| erp = 8,400 watts
| haat = {{convert|140|meters}}
| class = B1
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id = 71438
| coordinates = {{coord|39|49|39|N|85|58|51|W|region:US-IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = Indy's X
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WXTZ (1993–1996)|WGLD (1996–1997)|WGRL (1997–2004)|WISG (2004–2006)|WWFT (2006–2008)|WRWM (2008–2017)|WYRG (2017–2019)}}<ref name="fcc1"/>
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holding SRC LLC
| sister_stations = [[WFMS]], [[WJJK]], [[WNTR]], [[WXNT]], [[WZPL]]
| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.listenlive.co/24111}} {{listen live|https://tunein.com/radio/939X-Indys-Rock-Station-s29134/}} (via TuneIn)
| website = {{URL|https://www.939xindy.com}}
}}

'''WNDX''' (93.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[commercial radio]] station, [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Lawrence, Indiana]], and serving the [[Indianapolis metropolitan area]]. It is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and airs a [[mainstream rock]] [[radio format]], using the moniker ''93-9X''. The studios and offices are located on North Shadeland Avenue on the east side of Indianapolis.

WNDX's [[transmitter]] is located off 38th Street, also on the east side of Indianapolis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=WNDX&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C|title=WNDX-FM 93.9 MHz - Lawrence, IN|website=radio-locator.com}}</ref> It is licensed by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to broadcast in the [[HD Radio|HD]] (hybrid) format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=71438|title=Station Search Details|first=FCC Internet Services|last=Staff|website=licensing.fcc.gov}}</ref>

==History==
===Easy listening (1993–1996)===
The station [[sign-on|signed on]] the air on February 12, 1993, as WXTZ, "Ecstasy 93.9." It was licensed to [[Fishers, Indiana|Fishers]], and carried an [[easy listening]] format similar to the original WXTZ, which broadcast at 103.3 several years prior.<ref>Steve Hall, "Hoover's corruption detailed in documentary," ''The Indianapolis Star'', February 9, 1993.</ref>

=== Urban oldies (1996) ===
The easy format lasted until January 15, 1996, when it was dropped in favor of [[Citadel Media|ABC Radio's]] now-defunct "Solid Gold Soul" satellite format, which played [[urban oldies]], using the moniker "Gold 93.9."<ref>Steve Hall, "Golden radio super setting for new series," ''The Indianapolis Star'', January 12, 1996.</ref><ref>"Switch from easy listening WXTZ audience uneasy," ''The Indianapolis Star'', January 16, 1996.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-01-19.pdf |title=Radio and Records |year=1996 |website=americanradiohistory.com |access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref> The [[call sign]] changed to WGLD in February 1996 to reflect this change.<ref name="fcc1"/>

=== Smooth jazz (1996–1997) ===
Solid Gold Soul was short-lived, and on October 10, 1996, WGLD changed to another satellite format, Jones Radio Network's [[smooth jazz]] format.<ref>"Radio formats do the soulful strut," ''The Indianapolis Star'', October 8, 1996.</ref>

=== Country (1997–2001) ===
The license was sold to [[Susquehanna Broadcasting]] in 1997. Management decided that Susquehanna's modern [[country music]] "flanker station," WGRL "104.5 The Bear," would be moved to 93.9, while a new format, under 93.9's WGLD calls, would be placed on 104.5. To smooth over the transition, the two stations began [[simulcast]]ing "The Bear" on May 30, 1997.<ref>"Radio simulcast precedes format change at 104.5," ''The Indianapolis Star'', May 31, 1997.</ref> Once the move was complete on June 10, the WGLD call letters moved to 104.5 and became [[oldies]] "Gold 104.5."<ref name="fcc1"/><ref>Steve Hall, "Pop, oldies station targets underserved, aging baby boomers," ''The Indianapolis Star'', June 3, 1997.</ref> The frequency switch did not help WGRL's ratings, as it experienced a substantial ratings drop once "The Bear" moved to 93.9. As a result, the station became more music-intensive and several disc jockeys were let go. By 2001, WGRL simulcast WFMS in morning [[drive time]] while Donnie Claw, the lone survivor from the 104.5 days, hosted the afternoon drive shift. The end of The Bear came on November 19, 2001, when the format was dropped for [[Christmas music]] as "93.9 The Christmas Channel."<ref>Marc Allan, "All Christmas, all the time, at WGRL," ''The Indianapolis Star'', November 16, 2001.</ref>

===80s Hits (2001–2004)===
On December 25, 2001, 93.9 flipped to an [[1980s in music|80s hits]] format as "Retro 93-9."<ref>Marc Allan, "WGRL turns to all-'80s format," ''The Indianapolis Star'', December 26, 2001.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-01-04.pdf |title=Radio and Records |year=2002 |website=americanradiohistory.com |access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref>

=== Contemporary Christian (2004–2006) ===
The format lasted until July 9, 2004, when – following a five-day [[Stunting (broadcasting)|stunt]] of TV themes as "TV 93.9" – the station flipped to [[Contemporary Christian]] as "93.9 The Song."<ref>David Lindquist, "Radio station tunes in to television," ''The Indianapolis Star'', July 7, 2004.</ref><ref>Paul Pogue, "Converted!," ''The Indianapolis Star'', July 15, 2004.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-07-16.pdf |title=Radio and Records |year=2004 |website=americanradiohistory.com |access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref> The call sign was also changed at this time to WISG.<ref name="fcc1"/> "The Song" lasted for a couple of years and saw modest success.

A month after the format change, in August 2004, WISG changed its [[city of license]] from Fishers to Lawrence, relocated its transmitter from [[Noblesville]] to east Indianapolis, and upgraded its power from 2,950 watts to 6,900 watts to provide better coverage of the Indianapolis [[radio market]] (it later upgraded to 8,400 watts in 2011).

===Talk (2006–2008)===
On December 26, 2006, "The Song" was moved to 93.9's HD2 channel while a new [[talk radio|talk]] format, known as "FM Talk 93.9," moved to the main channel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/12874-few-hearing-talk-on-fm-station-s-ratings-plunge-after-format-change|title=Few hearing talk on FM: Station's ratings plunge after format change|date=May 21, 2007|website=Indianapolis Business Journal}}</ref> The station's call letters were changed to WWFT.<ref name="fcc1"/>

WWFT aired mostly [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] programming, featuring [[Mancow]], [[Sean Hannity]], [[Dave Ramsey]], and others until November 16, 2007, when programming was replaced with the return of "93.9 The Christmas Channel."<ref>David Lindquist, "93.9 to turn from talk to Christmas," ''The Indianapolis Star'', October 31, 2007.</ref> At Noon on Christmas Day, WWFT dropped Christmas music and stunted again, repeating the tracks "Lonesome Road" by [[Dean Elliot]] & His Big Band and "Swans Splashdown" by [[Jean-Jacques Perrey]].

===Soft adult contemporary (2008–2009)===
[[File:WRWM-FM logo.png|175px|thumb|right|Logo as "Warm 93.9" (2008–2009)]]
A new format, [[soft adult contemporary]] "Warm 93-9," debuted at 9:39 a.m. on January 2, 2008, with a commitment to play 93 hours of commercial-free music during its first week. The first song played on "Warm 93-9" was [[The Police]]'s "[[Every Breath You Take]]".<ref>David Lindquist, "Changing stations," ''The Indianapolis Star'', February 17, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/939-wwft-becomes-warm-939/|title=93.9 WWFT Indianapolis Becomes "Warm 93.9" - Format Change Archive|date=January 2, 2008}}</ref> On March 3, 2008, WWFT changed call letters to WRWM.<ref name="fcc1">{{cite web |title=Call Sign History |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=71438&Callsign=WNDX |work=FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database}}</ref> The program director and morning drive host was Fritz Moser. During the Warm era, "The Song" returned to the main station for six hours on Sunday mornings.

=== Top 40 (2009–2015) ===
At 12:01 a.m. on July 2, 2009, the station dropped the 18-month-old Soft AC format; the station had finished 21st in the most recent Arbitron ratings and never mounted a serious challenge to main rival [[WYXB]]. The last song on "Warm" was [[The Beach Boys]]' "[[Kokomo (song)|Kokomo]]". Afterwards, the station began stunting again, this time with construction sounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/warm-939-begins-stunting/|title=Warm 93.9 Begins Stunting - Format Change Archive|date=July 2, 2009}}</ref> At 9:40 a.m. on July 3, [[2009 in radio|2009]], the station flipped to [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40/CHR]] as "Indy's Hit Music Station, i94" and launched with 940 songs commercial-free. The format change marks the frequency's sixth new format since 2001. i94's first song was [[The Black Eyed Peas]]' "[[Boom Boom Pow]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/93-9-wrwm-becomes-i94/|title=93.9 WRWM Becomes I94 - Format Change Archive|date=July 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/1148/warm-93-9-indianapolis-to-flip/|title=Warm 93.9 Indianapolis to Flip - RadioInsight|date=July 1, 2009}}</ref>

In July [[2011 in radio|2011]], the station adjusted its daytime format to [[hot adult contemporary]], while remaining CHR at night. This did not attract many listeners, with i94 losing the ratings battle against [[WNOW-FM]] and [[WZPL]], along with [[WNTR]] when that station flipped to Hot AC in May 2013.

===Classic hip hop (2015–2017)===
[[File:WRWM 93.9TheBeat logo.png|thumb|left|100px|Logo for "93.9 The Beat" (2015–2017)]]
On December 19, 2014, at 3 p.m., after promoting a "major announcement about i94," WRWM began airing a "[[Classic Hip-Hop]] Holiday Weekend", forcing rival [[WYHX|WHHH]] to do the same. Unlike WHHH, however, WRWM announced the following Monday that it would switch to the format full-time, keeping the "i94" name but running jockless.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/91265/i94-goes-classic-hip-hop-but-just-for-holiday-weekends/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=I94 Indianapolis Makes Classic Hip-Hop Move Permanent |website=RadioInsight |date=December 22, 2014 |publisher=RadioBB Networks }}</ref> On January 26, 2015, at 9:39 a.m., the station re-branded as "93-9 The Beat", with no change in format.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/91722/whats-next-for-93-9-indianapolis/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=WRWM Rebrands As 93.9 The Beat |date=January 26, 2015 |website=RadioInsight |access-date=December 26, 2017 |language=en-US }}</ref>

The flip increased the station's ratings dramatically, going from 15th to first place in the ratings in Indianapolis with a 7.7 share. However, this ratings surge was short-lived, as the station eventually fell back towards a 2.7 share by October 2017.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/magazine/how-hip-hop-is-becoming-the-oldies.html |title=How Hip-Hop Is Becoming the Oldies |last=French |first=Alex |date=July 17, 2015 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref><ref name="ri-eng" /> WRWM's initial success served as the basis of [[Westwood One]]'s "[[Classic Hip-Hop]]," a satellite-delivered format that was launched May 22, 2015.<ref name="Venta 2015">{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/92984/westwood-one-launching-classic-hip-hop-network/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Westwood One Launching Classic Hip-Hop Network |work=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2018 }}</ref> Westwood One is co-owned with WRWM.

===Top 40 (2017–2019)===
[[File:WYRG Energy93.9 logo.png|thumb|Logo as "Energy", 2017-2019]]
On November 17, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., after playing "[[It's So Hard to Say Goodbye]]" by [[Boyz II Men]], and a 10-minute farewell montage and brief teasers for random new formats, WRWM began stunting with [[Christmas music]] again, this time as "93.9 North Pole Radio."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/93-9-beat-begins-stunting/|title=93.9 The Beat Begins Stunting|date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> The station also began to post teasers on its Facebook page themed around the letter "E", and promoted that "E-Day" would occur at 9:39 a.m. on December 26. At that time, the station changed its call letters to WYRG, and returned to CHR as "Energy 93-9," launching with "[[...Ready for It?]]" by [[Taylor Swift]].<ref name="ri-eng">{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121112/from-worst-to-first-to-gone-in-three-years/|title=Energy 93.9 Brings Third CHR Back To Indianapolis|date=December 26, 2017|work=RadioInsight|access-date=December 26, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/wrwm-becomes-energy-93-9/|title=WRWM Becomes Energy 93.9|date=December 30, 2017}}</ref>

===Mainstream rock (2019–present)===
The future of Energy came in doubt in February 2019, with Cumulus acquiring then-rival [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]] outlet [[WZPL]] as part of a multi-station trade with [[Entercom]], rendering Energy's format as redundant. Those doubts would be verified that May, as the sale closed, and WYRG began running liners advising that Energy would soon be "turned off" and redirecting listeners to WZPL.

On May 24, 2019, at noon, after playing "[[Bye Bye Bye]]" by [[*Nsync]], Cumulus flipped WYRG to a [[mainstream rock]] format as "93-9X". The station changed its call sign to WNDX on May 28, 2019. The first song on "93-9X" was "[[Enter Sandman]]" by [[Metallica]], which began a commercial-free [[Memorial Day]] weekend to launch the format.

The station now competes with [[iHeartMedia]]'s combo of [[classic rock]] [[WFBQ]] and [[alternative rock]] [[WOLT]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177098/93-9x-rocks-into-indianapolis/|title=93.9X Rocks Into Indianapolis|date=May 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/wyrg-becomes-x93-9/|title=WYRG Becomes X93.9|date=May 24, 2019}}</ref> Derrek Madden, the program director of co-owned mainstream rock station [[KXXR]] [[Minneapolis]], assisted with setting up WNDX with a similar format for the Indianapolis market. The majority of the station's DJs are pre-recorded from other Cumulus stations across the country.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official}}
* {{FM station data|71438|WNDX}}

{{Indianapolis Radio}}
{{Cumulus Media}}

[[Category:1993 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Mass media in Hamilton County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Mass media in Indianapolis]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1993]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Indianapolis|NDX]]

U105

2025-05-25T09:42:34Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Radio station in Belfast}}
{{For|any of the several German U-boats sometimes referred to as U105|German submarine U-105}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date = May 2020}}

{{Infobox radio station
| name = U105
| logo = u105logopng.png
| city = [[Belfast]]
| area = Northern Ireland
| airdate = {{start date|2005|11|14|df=y}}
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: {{frequency|105.8|MHz}} ([[Black Mountain transmitting station|Belfast]]) [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12D ([[Bauer Radio|Bauer NI]])
| rds = U105
| format = [[Adult contemporary music|AC]]/[[talk radio|talk]]
| owner = [[News Broadcasting]]
| webcast = www.u105.com/player/
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''U105''' is a [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]], based radio station, providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins. It is owned by [[News Broadcasting]]{{cn|date=October 2024}} and was launched at 6am on 14 November 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Barry|date=2017-07-13|title=U105 now available on DAB across Northern Ireland|url=https://getdigitalradio.com/u105-now-available-on-dab-across-northern-ireland/|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Digital Radio UK|language=en-GB}}</ref>

U105 broadcasts on 105.8 FM in Belfast and surrounding area, from studios at City Quays 2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/u105-presenters-to-join-former-utv-colleagues-in-new-harbour-studios-35915152.html|title=U105 presenters to join former UTV colleagues in new Harbour studios|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph}}</ref> Programmes are transmitted on [[FM broadcasting|FM]] from the [[Black Mountain transmitting station]], located a few miles to the west of [[Belfast]]. The station also broadcasts throughout [[Northern Ireland]] on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] and [[Streaming media|online]]. In the Q3 2021 RAJAR survey, the station had 217,000 weekly listeners, with total weekly hours of 2,102,000 (higher than its rival Downtown Radio, which had 64,000 more weekly listeners). At 9.69, the station had the highest weekly hours per listener among its main local commercial rivals (Cool FM, Downtown Radio, Downtown Country and Q Radio).

As of September 2023, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 280,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

In December 2023, seven of U105s presenters took industrial tribunal action against the station, listed as Elizabeth (Linda) Cullen, John Patrick Cullen ([[Johnny Hero]]), David Anthony Johnson, Andrew (Jerry) Lang, Angela Denise Scott, [[Carolyn Stewart|Carolyn Ann Stewart]], and Stephen Woods.<ref>{{cite news
|url= https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/seven-djs-at-u105-launch-industrial-tribunal-case-against-the-radio-station/a1287225974.html
|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph
|author=Garrett Hargan
|date=2 December 2023
|accessdate=12 December 2023
|title=Seven DJs at U105 launch industrial tribunal case against station}}</ref> Jerry Lang subsequently left U105.<ref>{{cite news
|url= https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/u105-dj-announces-departure-after-15-years-a-new-adventure-awaits/a1306296799.html
|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph
|author=Andrew Madden
|date=8 December 2023
|accessdate= 12 December 2023
|title=DJ announces departure after 15 years}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Northern Ireland radio|105.8}}
{{Radio in Ireland}}
{{News Broadcasting}}

{{coord missing|County Antrim}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Mass media in Belfast]]
[[Category:News Broadcasting]]

{{UK-radio-station-stub}}
{{NorthernIreland-media-stub}}

Talksport

2025-05-25T09:39:43Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Redirect|Talk Radio UK|Talksport's 2016 sister station|Talkradio}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Talksport logo.png
| name = Talksport
| airdate = 14 February 1995 (as Talk Radio UK) 17 January 2000 (as Talksport)
| frequency = [[Medium wave|MW]]: 1053 kHz, 1071 kHz ([[Tyne and Wear]]), 1089 kHz, 1107 kHz ([[Hampshire]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[Merseyside]]) [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11D/12A [[Digital One]] [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 723 [[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0108 [[Virgin Media]]: 927
| city = London
| area = United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland Global ([[Premier League]] games only)
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| language = English
| owner = [[News Broadcasting|News UK Broadcasting Ltd]]
| licensee = [[News UK]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| sister_stations = {{Hlist
| [[Talkradio|TalkRadio]]
| [[Talksport#Talksport 2|Talksport 2]]
| [[Times Radio]]
| [[Virgin Radio UK]]
| [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio Anthems]]
| [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio Chilled]]
| [[Virgin Radio UK#Sister stations|Virgin Radio 80s Plus]]
}}
}}

'''Talksport''' (styled as '''talkSPORT''') is a [[sports radio]] [[radio station|station]] in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned by [[News Broadcasting]]. Its content includes live coverage of sporting events, interviews with the leading names in sport and entertainment, phone-ins and discussion. Talksport, alongside [[sister station]] Talksport 2, is an official broadcaster for several sporting contests, including the [[Premier League]] and [[English Football League]].

The station originated as a non-sport station, '''Talk Radio UK''', in 1995. It relaunched as Talksport in January 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/598642.stm|title=Sport relaunch for Talk|work=BBC News}}</ref> In the UK, Talksport is one of the [[Independent National Radio]] licensees, holding the INR3 licence for a speech-based service. It is available primarily on its [[medium wave]] frequencies 1089 kHz and 1053 kHz, but also on 1071 kHz and 1107 kHz, [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] digital radio, television platforms [[Sky UK|Sky]], [[Virgin Media]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[Freesat]], and [[Freely]], and via the [[Internet radio|Internet]]. Outside the UK and Ireland, Talksport broadcasts live commentary of every Premier League match around the world in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Mandarin.

As of October 2024, the network broadcasts to a weekly audience of 3.5 million listeners in the UK, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php|title=RAJAR|work=rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==
===Talk Radio era===
The station was originally and officially launched as Talk Radio UK on 14 February 1995 by American-based [[Emmis Communications]], attempting a talk station with a "brasher" style and with [[Shock jock|shock jocks]] compared to [[BBC Radio 5 Live]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://transdiffusion.org/2008/11/27/home_of_the_sho/|title=Former home of the Shock Jocks|first=Stephen|last=Hopkins|website=Transdiffusion}}</ref> It launched with the original ''Talk Radio Breakfast Show'', however, the first live broadcast had been [[Caesar the Geezer]]'s phone-in which aired the previous night. Other presenters on Talk Radio included [[Jeremy Beadle]], [[Tommy Boyd]], [[Anna Raeburn]], [[Lorraine Kelly]], [[Gary Newbon]], [[Terry Christian]], and [[Dale Winton]].

After quitting the [[Radio 1 Breakfast|Breakfast Show]] on [[BBC Radio 1|BBC Radio 1 FM]] in April 1995, [[Steve Wright (DJ)|Steve Wright]] joined the station, presenting ''Steve Wright's Talk Show'' – a live Saturday morning programme.<ref>{{Citation |title=Steve Wright's Talk Show - Talk Radio - 6 January 1996 | date=13 February 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQjWsVS5PBg |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en}}</ref> The show was guest-focused and popular at the time, but short-lived, as it moved to [[BBC Radio 2]] in March 1996 and re-launched as ''Steve Wright's Saturday Show''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Radio 2 - Presenters - Steve Wright |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/presenters/steve-wright/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

By the end of its first year, the shock jocks were dropped, leading to increased ad revenue from advertisers, and the station was bought out by Media Ventures International (MVI).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.themedialeader.com/media-ventures-buys-out-partners-in-talk-radio/|title=Media Ventures Buys Out Partners In Talk Radio - The Media Leader|date=3 November 1995}}</ref> Luxembourg based [[RTL Group|CLT-UFA]] eventually became the majority owner of Talk Radio. A year later Talk Radio launched a new breakfast show presented by [[Paul Ross]] and [[Carol McGiffin]]. Former [[BBC Radio 1]] [[Disc jockey|DJ]] [[Simon Bates]] also joined the station, along with [[James Whale (presenter)|James Whale]], [[Ian Collins (radio presenter)|Ian Collins]], and [[Mike Dickin]].{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Talk Radio made its first foray into the world of sports radio rights bidding by purchasing from [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] the rights to broadcast [[English Football League|Football League]] matches for the 1997–98 season. In addition, the station broadcast its first [[FIFA World Cup]] from France in 1998, bringing in the [[Sky Sports]] commentary team of [[Alan Parry]] and [[Andy Gray (footballer born 1955)|Andy Gray]] to commentate on the major matches. [[Dave Roberts (sports broadcaster)|Dave Roberts]] covered additional games in France. Talk Radio also acquired up the rights to broadcast [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s matches in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] for the 1998–99 season.

===Creation of Talksport===
On 12 November 1998, TalkCo Holdings – whose chairman and chief executive was [[Kelvin MacKenzie]], former editor of ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' – purchased Talk Radio.<ref name="purchase">{{cite web|url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/about|title=About|access-date=18 January 2007|publisher=talkSPORT|archive-date=20 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820090030/http://www.talksport.co.uk/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This led to a mass clearout of presenters including [[Nick Abbot]], [[Anna Raeburn]], [[Tommy Boyd]] and [[Peter Deeley]], with MacKenzie placing an emphasis on a sports-oriented programming schedule, including ''The Sportszone'' with [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Newbon]], Tony Lockwood, [[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]], and former [[Heart North East|Century Radio]] sports editor Dave Roberts presenting the weekend edition of ''The Sports Breakfast''.

In late 1999, TalkCo, rebranded as The Wireless Group, announced a relaunch of Talk Radio to become the UK's first national commercial sports radio station called Talksport. The relaunch occurred at midnight on 17 January 2000, and was accompanied by the station moving from [[Oxford Street]] to a new studio at Hatfields on the [[South Bank]] of the [[River Thames]]. Now mainly dedicated to sport, the programming lineup was drastically altered, beginning with ''The Sports Breakfast'' show; this was followed by a mid-morning motoring show called ''The Car Guys'', with further sports programming in the afternoon and evening.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Most of the station's talk show presenters were ousted at the time, including ''The Big Boys Breakfast'' with [[David Banks (journalist)|David Banks]] and [[Nick Ferrari]], with only James Whale, Ian Collins and Mike Dickin surviving. To complement its new format, Talksport purchased the rights to broadcast [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] matches in the [[UEFA Champions League]], the [[FA Cup]], [[England national football team|England football internationals]], [[UEFA Cup]], [[England cricket team|England]]'s winter cricket tours to [[South Africa]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Pakistan]], and [[India]], [[British & Irish Lions]] tours to South Africa and New Zealand, and rights to the [[Super League]], [[Rugby League World Cup]], and world title [[boxing]] fights.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

The new line-up involved a number of presenters and commentators, including [[Alan Brazil]], [[Mark Nicholas]], [[Chris Cowdrey]], [[Geoffrey Boycott]], [[Mike Parry]], [[Peter Shilton]], [[Brian Moore (commentator)|Brian Moore]], [[Brough Scott]], [[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]], [[Gary Newbon]], [[Ian Darke]], [[Tony Banks, Baron Stratford|Tony Banks]], and [[Alvin Martin]].

Approximately 39 hours of non-sports programming still remained on the schedule as of March 2012, including an overnight show hosted by [[Mike Graham (journalist)|Mike Graham]], and [[George Galloway]]'s ''[[The Mother of All Talk Shows]]'' on Friday evenings.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oakes |first=Omar |date=8 February 2016 |title=UTV names George Galloway and Paul Ross among TalkRadio presenters |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/utv-names-george-galloway-paul-ross-among-talkradio-presenters/1382571 |accessdate=5 April 2016 |work=Campaign Live}}</ref> On 7 March, it was announced that month that Talksport would discontinue or reformat its remaining non-sport programming, considering it an "exciting yet natural next step" for the station, and citing opportunities to provide more coverage of American sport during its overnight lineup. Galloway was dropped, while Graham's show pivoted to primarily discussing sport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Plunkett |first1=John |date=7 March 2012 |title=Talksport to axe all non-sports content |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/talksport-axe-non-sports-content |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 25 June 2016, [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] announced that it was acquiring the parent Wireless Group company for $296 million.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news |last=Gallivan |first=Rory |date=25 June 2016 |title=News Corp Buys Wireless Group for $296 Million |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/news-corp-buys-wireless-groups-talksport-for-290-million-1467290471 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal}}</ref>

===Expansion of the Talk brand===
Sound Digital's successful bid for second national commercial DAB multiplex in 2016 also saw the return of [[Talkradio]], as well as [[Virgin Radio UK|Virgin Radio]] and the creation of Talksport 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/digital-two-applications-published-by-ofcom/|title=Digital Two applications published by Ofcom|date=3 February 2015|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref> On 25 June 2016, [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] announced that it was acquiring the parent Wireless Group company for $296 million.<ref name="wsj"/> Since June 2020 it has also produced sports bulletins for [[Times Radio]]. In 2022 a televised version of TalkRadio launched on [[TalkTV (British TV channel)|TV]].

==Programming history==
Talksport and Talksport 2 hold exclusive and non-exclusive rights to various sports{{which|date=February 2023}} in the UK.

* May 2001: Talksport secured rights to broadcast [[Premier League]] games for the first time. The [[Radio Authority]] granted the station permission to broadcast games involving [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on their London transmitters only.<ref>[http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/109660/MEDIA-BRIEFS-Premiership-games-live-Talksport MEDIA BRIEFS: Premiership games live on Talksport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323125721/http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/109660/MEDIA-BRIEFS-Premiership-games-live-Talksport |date=23 March 2012 }} PR Week, 4 May 2001</ref> Later, Talksport also secured similar deals with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] for their transmitters in [[Greater Manchester]], [[Merseyside]], and [[Lancashire]] following approval from the [[Radio Authority]]. The station also had the ability to split their transmitters in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] for games involving [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], but this was never utilised.
* December 2002: Talksport announced plans for the station's first ever music show. An easy listening music show entitled ''Champagne & Roses'' with [[Gerald Harper]], was broadcast each Saturday evening. The show was axed after less than six months.<ref name="talksport2">[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2003.html talkSPORT Station History – 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101210415/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2003.html |date=1 November 2010 }} talkSPORT1089.co.uk</ref>
* June 2004: Talksport broadcast their first international football tournament officially. [[Euro 2004]] from Portugal was broadcast live on Talksport with commentary of various matches, including the final, from [[Jim Proudfoot]] and [[Alvin Martin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/talksport-in-legal-row-with-bbc-over-euro-2004-rights/|title=TalkSport in legal row with BBC over Euro 2004 rights|first=Wale|last=Azeez|date=17 June 2004|website=Press Gazette}}</ref>
* June 2006: the station broadcast the 2006 World Cup, with live match commentary of all 64 matches in Germany. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], Chris Cooper, Nigel Pearson, Ian Danter, Tim White, and Geoff Peters with punditry from [[Alvin Martin]], [[Rodney Marsh (footballer)|Rodney Marsh]], [[Gary Stevens (footballer, born 1962)|Gary Stevens]], [[Jason Cundy]], and [[Micky Quinn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infrontsports.com/news/2005/03/infront-signs-2006-fifa-world-cup%E2%84%A2-radio-agreement-with-talksport-uk/|title=Infront signs 2006 FIFA World Cup radio agreement with talkSPORT UK – Infront Sports & Media AG}}</ref>
* August 2006: Former [[Sky Sports]] presenter [[Kelly Cates|Kelly Dalglish]] became the first female sports presenter on Talksport, hosting Monday's edition of ''Kick-Off'' alongside [[Gabriele Marcotti]] and [[Jason Cundy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=35234&sectioncode=1|title=Sky Sports' Kelly Dalglish joins Talksport|publisher=Press Gazette|date=11 August 2006|access-date=18 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710011208/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=35234&sectioncode=1|archive-date=10 July 2009}}</ref>
* 10 October 2006: Talksport becomes the first national commercial radio broadcaster to win Premier League commentary rights. Talksport wins a package that allows it to broadcast the second choice Saturday afternoon games that kick off at 3pm, with the BBC getting first pick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/oct/10/radio.sport|title=TalkSport wins Premiership rights|first=Julia|last=Day|date=10 October 2006|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
* April 2009: [[Russell Brand]] and [[Noel Gallagher]] were signed by Talksport to present a one-off football talk show on 19 April 2009.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8000785.stm Russell Brand returning to radio] BBC News, 15 April 2009</ref> It was only a few months after Brand resigned from [[BBC Radio 2]] in the wake of the uproar over the "[[The Russell Brand Show prank calls row|Sachsgate]]" affair.
* February 2010: Talksport gained more Premier League football in the latest radio bidding wars. Whilst relinquishing their 3pm package to football newcomers [[Absolute Radio]], they won two packages from [[BBC Radio 5 Live]]. They took over the national radio rights to broadcast the late kick-off every Saturday evening from the Premier League (usually kicking off at 5:30pm), and the early Sunday games (before 3pm). This agreement covered the 2010–11 to 2012–13 [[Premier League]] seasons<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/feb/18/bbc-football-radio-commentary BBC radio loses third of live Premier League matches] guardian.co.uk, 18 February 2010</ref>
* June 2010: Talksport broadcast the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], with live match commentary of all 64 matches in South Africa. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], Ian Danter, Nigel Pearson, [[John Rawling]], and Graham Beecroft with punditry from [[Alvin Martin]], [[Stan Collymore]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Bobby Gould]], [[Tony Cascarino]], [[Lawrie Sanchez]], and [[Micky Quinn]]
* September 2011: Talksport broadcast the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]], with exclusive commentary of all 48 matches in New Zealand. Commentary was provided by [[John Taylor (rugby union born 1945)|John Taylor]], Rupert Bell, John Anderson, Russell Hargreaves and Andrew McKenna with punditry from [[Brian Moore (rugby union)|Brian Moore]], [[Jeff Probyn]], [[David Campese]], [[Chris Sheasby]], [[Michael Owen (rugby union)|Michael Owen]], [[Scott Quinnell]], [[Gavin Hastings]], and [[Paul Wallace (rugby union)|Paul Wallace]], with presentation from [[Mark Saggers]] and Mike Bovill. Additional reporting from Roger Hughes, David Brady, and Stuart Cameron<ref>[http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/08/talksport-unveils-rugby-world-cup-plan/ talkSPORT unveil Rugby World Cup plan] Radio Today, 8 August 2011</ref>
* June 2012: Talksport broadcast [[Euro 2012]], with live commentary of all 31 matches in Poland and Ukraine. Commentary was provided by [[Sam Matterface]], John Roder, Nigel Pearson and Ian Danter, with punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Matt Holland]] and [[Andy Gray (footballer, born 1955)|Andy Gray]] with presentation from [[Adrian Durham]], [[Mark Saggers]] and [[Richard Keys]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/every-euro-2012-match-to-be-broadcast-on-talksport/|title=Every Euro 2012 match to be broadcast on talkSPORT|date=3 January 2012|website=Boyce Recruitment}}</ref>
* July 2012: Talksport secured a joint six-year deal with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] to broadcast live commentaries from the [[FA Cup]], [[FA Community Shield|Community Shield]] and [[England national football team|England]] friendly internationals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.talksport.co.uk/post/28056259796/talksport-signs-agreement-with-football-association-to|title=talkSPORT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION TO BROADCAST FA CUP WORLDWIDE UNTIL 2018|date=16 May 2013|url-status=dead|website=TalkSport PR release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516231204/http://press.talksport.co.uk/post/28056259796/talksport-signs-agreement-with-football-association-to|archive-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>
* August 2012: Talksport secure a deal to become an official broadcaster of the [[Aviva Premiership]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/|title=Premiership Rugby ||website=Premiership Rugby}}</ref> The deal enables Talksport to broadcast live commentary of selected matches throughout the season either on-air or online.
* November 2012: Talksport secured exclusive broadcast rights in the UK to the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/nov/07/talksport-lions-australia-tour |title=TalkSport snaps up radio rights to Lions' Australia tour |access-date=4 February 2013 |work=The Guardian |first=John |last=Plunkett |date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
* June 2014: Talksport broadcast the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], with live commentary of all 64 matches in Brazil. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Taphouse]], Nigel Pearson, John Anderson, Andrew McKenna and Richard Connelly with punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Stuart Pearce]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Ray Parlour]], [[Matt Holland]], [[Micky Quinn]] and [[Alan Curbishley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/talksport-wins-rights-brazil-world-cup/1221092|title=TalkSport wins rights to Brazil World Cup|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref>
* March 2016: Talksport 2 launches, a station dedicated to live sports commentaries and specialist programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-2-announces-launch-date-160129182995|title=talkSPORT 2 announces launch date|date=29 January 2016}}</ref>
* May 2016: Talksport and Talksport 2 are awarded the right to broadcast three [[Premier League]] UK live audio packages for the next three football seasons, starting with the 2016/17 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-broadcast-more-english-premier-league-coverage-ever-160520196679|title=talkSPORT to broadcast more English Premier League coverage than ever before|date=20 May 2016}}</ref>
* June 2016: Talksport and Talksport 2 broadcast [[Euro 2016]], with commentary of all 51 matches. Commentary was provided by [[Jim Proudfoot]], [[Alan Parry]], [[Gary Taphouse]], Ian Danter, Nigel Pearson, John Anderson, Ian Abrahams and Alex Crook, and punditry from [[Stan Collymore]], [[Stuart Pearce]], [[Joey Barton]], [[Matt Holland]], [[Ray Wilkins]], [[Keith Gillespie]], [[Danny Gabbidon]], [[Michael Gray (footballer)|Michael Gray]], [[Alvin Martin]], [[Danny Higginbotham]] and [[Micky Quinn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-announces-presenter-team-euro-2016-160516195987|title=talkSPORT announces presenter team for Euro 2016|date=16 May 2016}}</ref>
* May 2017: Talksport secures exclusive national radio rights to the [[English Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/efl-new-radio-rights-deals-to-maximise-broadcast-coverage-for-clubs-and-competitions/|title=EFL: New radio rights deals to maximise broadcast coverage for clubs and competitions|website=www.efl.com}}</ref> It gives them the ability to broadcast up to up 110 EFL fixtures a season for three years until the end of the 2019/2020 season.
* June 2017: Talksport and Talksport 2 broadcast exclusive commentary of the [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-names-its-squad-british-and-irish-lions-tour-170329233220|title=talkSPORT names its squad for British and Irish Lions tour|date=29 March 2017}}</ref>
* April 2018: Talksport and Talksport 2 secure exclusive broadcast rights to England's winter tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies.<ref name="bbc.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43807117|title=TalkSport take cricket rights from BBC|work=BBC News|date=18 April 2018}}</ref>
* April 2019: Talksport and Talksport 2 win three of the four Saturday UK radio rights packages for the Premier League .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/522119/talksport-live-premier-league-saturday/|title=talkSPORT becomes go-to place for live Premier League action on Saturdays|date=3 April 2019}}</ref>
* April 2020: [[Laura Woods (English presenter)|Laura Woods]] becomes the new lead presenter of ''Sports Breakfast'', taking over from Alan Brazil, who moves to two days a week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/688405/talksport-laura-woods-new-lead-breakfast-show-host-alan-brazil-new-bigger/|title=talkSPORT confirm signing of Laura Woods as new lead Breakfast Show host|date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
* May 2022: [[Mark Goldbridge]], the founder, owner and main host of the football YouTube channel ''The United Stand'' becomes presenter of a late night show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The reason why Mark Goldbridge joining hands with Talksport is surprising – Thick Accent |date=14 May 2022 |url=https://www.thickaccent.com/2022/05/14/the-reason-why-mark-goldbridge-joining-talksport-is-surprising/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* December 2023: Former [[Sky Sports]] presenter [[Jeff Stelling]] begins hosting Talksport Breakfast on Mondays and Tuesdays. Alan Brazil begins hosting the breakfast show three days a week instead of two.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.co.uk/latest-news/jeff-stelling-joins-talksport-breakfast-show-as-presenter-from-december/|title=Jeff Stelling joins talkSPORT Breakfast|first=Libby|last=Darcy|date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

==Broadcast==
Broadcast from [[London]] to the UK and Ireland, Talksport is the only British radio station broadcasting sporting discussions and commentaries 24 hours a day, having dropped 39 hours of weekly non-sports content on 2 April 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/talksport-axe-non-sports-content|title=TalkSport to axe all non-sports content|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=7 March 2012|via=The Guardian}}</ref> According to the [[RAJAR]] audience figures as of December 2022, Talksport's audience is around 2.9 million listeners per week. Talksport 2 has an audience of around 344,000 listeners per week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

The 1089 and 1053 kHz [[medium wave]] frequencies were previously used by [[BBC Radio 1]] between November 1978 and June 1994. Talksport's transmission from the high-power [[Droitwich Transmitting Station]] on 1053 kHz can also be received in parts of Europe.<ref>https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/173863-talksport---proposal-to-reduce-am-coverage/associated-documents/secondary-documents/talksport-broadcasting-licence.pdf?v=324314</ref> In December 2024, Talksport announced that seven of its 18 AM transmitters are set to close, resulting in reducing its AM coverage of the UK's population from 92% to 88.9%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/12/talksport-asks-to-turn-off-seven-of-its-18-am-radio-transmitters-across-the-uk/|title=talkSPORT asks to turn off seven of its 18 AM radio transmitters across the UK|date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

In a number of areas, particularly in areas where the signal from the main 1089 and 1053 [[kHz]] transmitters overlap with each other, Talksport operates a number of filler transmitters on different frequencies:
* 1071 kHz: [[Tyne and Wear]]
* 1107 kHz: [[Hampshire]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[Merseyside]]

Talksport is also transmitted across the UK [[Digital radio in the United Kingdom|digitally]] via [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] [[digital radio]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky]], [[Virgin Media]] and [[Freesat]]. Talksport is also streamed online and available for any [[Internet]] connected devices; however, due to rights restrictions on live coverage, some live sport commentaries are not available online.

Since August 2011, several shows on Talksport have been available on [[Sirius XM]] satellite radio in the US and Canada.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

During the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], Talksport was available on DAB digital radio in some German cities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema-8773-417362/_DAB_+Hessen+_12C__+NEU++engl_+Sport+Kanal.html|title=[DAB] Hessen (12C): NEU engl. Sport Kanal – Radioforum|work=Mysnip.de – Forenarchiv|access-date=13 March 2018|language=de|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042323/https://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema-8773-417362/_DAB_+Hessen+_12C__+NEU++engl_+Sport+Kanal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station also partnered with [[Pure (company)|Pure]] to sell a Talksport-branded Pure One digital radio receiver.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-06-13 |title=Digital talkSPORT in Germany |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2006/06/digital-talksport-in-germany/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Sister stations==
===Talksport 2===
The new station launched on 15 March 2016 as part of a Sound Digital's successful bid for second national commercial DAB multiplex. The launch date coincided with the opening day of the 2016 [[Cheltenham Festival]]. Former Talksport chief executive [[Kelvin MacKenzie]] had proposed a rival sports station as part of Listen2Digital's opposing bid for the second national commercial DAB multiplex.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/09/talksport-founder-kelvin-mackenzie-rival-sports-radio|title=TalkSport founder Kelvin MacKenzie in bid to launch rival station|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=9 February 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Talksport 2 is a 24-hour sports station which focuses on a broad range of live sporting action from the UK and around the world and includes rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, football and horse racing, plus US sport. On its first day, Talksport 2 broadcast commentary of India v New Zealand in the [[ICC World Twenty20]], [[Atlético Madrid]] v [[PSV Eindhoven]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and [[Indian Wells Masters]] tennis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Talksport 2 announce launch date|url=http://talksport.com/press/talksport-2-announces-launch-date-160129182995|website=talksport.com|date=29 January 2016|publisher=talksport|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> On 9 June 2020 talkSPORT 2 switched from DAB Mono to DAB+ Stereo to make Room for Times Radio.

In its first two years on air, Talksport 2 acquired broadcast rights to the [[Aviva Premiership]], [[Super League]], [[ATP World Tour Masters 1000]], [[French Open]], [[ICC World Twenty20]], [[NatWest t20 Blast]], [[Royal London One-Day Cup]], [[Indian Premier League]], [[WGC Match Play]], [[La Liga]], [[MotoGP]], [[ICC Champions Trophy]], Premier League, English Football League, Champions League and Europa League.

It has broadcast specialist programming dedicated to the Football League, [[La Liga]], European football, horse racing rugby league, rugby union, boxing, cricket, tennis, [[NBA]], US sport, and golf.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/|title=talkSPORT|website=talkSPORT}}</ref>

From January 2019, Talksport 2 was re-positioned as a rolling sports news and live sport station.

As of September 2023, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 376,000 listeners, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

===Talksport International===
Talksport is the global audio partner of the Premier League, which enables them to broadcast commentary of every Premier League match outside the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in several languages including English, Spanish and Mandarin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/license-talksports-content|title=Harness the power of the English Premier League|date=3 September 2013|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325225626/http://talksport.com/license-talksports-content|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Talksport International also broadcasts selected fixtures in the FA Cup, League Cup and provides commentaries for Amazon Music's [[Bundesliga]] coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/about|title=About|date=5 July 2013}}</ref>

As of December 2024, Talksport is available to stream in [[Australia]] on digital platforms run by [[NOVA Entertainment]].

==Other media==
* ''Soccer Bet'' was a short-lived 68-page weekly magazine which Talksport had hoped would appeal to football fans that enjoyed betting on games. It was designed in a smaller A5 format to make it easy for fans to carry and the launch was backed by a £500,000 promotional campaign. ''Soccer Bet'' lasted just two months before it was axed in October 2003 due to poor sales.<ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=24186&sectioncode=1 Own goal for Soccer Bet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412075138/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=24186&sectioncode=1 |date=12 April 2008 }} Press Gazette, 17 October 2003</ref>
* ''Talksport TV'' launched in October 2004 platform broadcasting for six hours a day on the [[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]] television platform aiming to catch listeners who had arrived home from work.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/15/citynews.radio | work=Media Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=Chris | last=Tryhorn | title=MacKenzie takes TalkSport to TV | date=15 September 2004}}</ref> The service amounted to little more than the simulcasting of TalkSport's broadcasters and pundits presenting the station's ''Drive Time'' and ''Kick Off'' programmes. The channel closed in 2005 following the takeover of Talksport by [[UTV Radio]].<ref>[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksportnews15.html talkSPORT Hand Back Television Licence to OFCOM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191207/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksportnews15.html |date=16 July 2011 }} talksport1089.com, 11 August 2006</ref>
* Talk Radio was set to return to the airwaves as a station on [[DAB digital radio]] in 2008 after [[Ofcom]] awarded a second [[DAB digital radio]] national commercial multiplex to the [[4 Digital Group]] consortium led by [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/06/channel4.radio| work=Media Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=Ben | last=Dowell | title=Channel 4 wins radio multiplex bid | date=6 July 2007}}</ref> However, the station never launched after Channel 4 announced that it was abandoning its plans for digital radio stations<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/14/radio-channel4 | work=guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian News and Media | first=John | last=Plunkett | title=4 Digital radio partners in crisis talks | date=14 October 2008}}</ref>
* ''Talksport Magazine'' launched in May 2008 as a weekly online-only digital publication to extend the station's brand beyond the radio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3389|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503235834/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3389|url-status=dead|title=Radio Today|archivedate=3 May 2012}}</ref> The magazine was integrated into the newly relaunched Talksport website in 2010<ref>[http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/sports-news/2010-07-26/talksportcouk-men-who-talk-sport talkSPORT.co.uk – For men who like to talk sport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230014037/http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/sports-news/2010-07-26/talksportcouk-men-who-talk-sport |date=30 December 2010 }} talkSPORT, 26 July 2010</ref>
* ''[[Sport (UK magazine)|Sport]]'' was targeted at the affluent male and hand distributed in locations across the country including London mainline and tube stations. It was also available at many hotels, gyms and airports<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utvpitch.co.uk/about/sport-magazine/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329122126/http://www.utvpitch.co.uk/about/sport-magazine/|url-status=dead|title=Sport Magazine|archivedate=29 March 2010}}</ref>

===Books, DVDs, and games===
* '''Talksport Road Trip''' is a [[DVD]] including exclusive footage of the English team and a host of celebrity interviews at the [[2006 World Cup]] released in 2006<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000GNOG9M talkSPORT Road Trip (DVD)] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''Talksport Legends & Anthems''' is a three-[[CD]] package, released in 2009, featuring 40 tracks by artists such as [[The Who]], [[The Cure]], [[The Killers]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Rod Stewart]], and [[Elton John]] on two of the discs as well as a bonus CD with out-takes and highlights of Talksport<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002P7HYNM talkSPORT – Legends & Anthems (CD)] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''Ten Years of Talksport''' is a book describing the station's history. Originally released in 2009, an updated version of the book including two new chapters was released in 2011
* '''The Talksport Book of World Cup Banter''' – Released in 2010, this is a book of football facts about the [[FIFA World Cup]]<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847378781 The Talksport Book of World Cup Banter: All the Ammo You Need to Settle Any Argument] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''The TalkSport Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges''' features contributions from Talksport presenters [[Darren Gough]] and [[Ronnie Irani]] among others, recounting [[Sledging (cricket)|'sledging']]. Released in 2010<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0857200925 Why Are You So Fat?: The TalkSPORT Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges] Amazon.co.uk</ref>
* '''TalkSPORT Clash Of The Titans''' is a game created by [[Mat Dickie]] (MDickie), It's not available on his download page anymore but can still be downloaded on web.archive.org<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mdickie.com/downloads.htm|title=MDickie.com|date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927050558/http://mdickie.com/downloads.htm|archive-date=27 September 2009}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{criticism section|date=January 2025}}
* June 2000: It was revealed that Talksport had been broadcasting its live commentaries of matches at [[Euro 2000]] from television monitors rather than from each of the stadia, due to the lack of available broadcast rights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/dec/05/broadcasting1 |work=The Guardian |first=Jason |last=Deans |title=TalkSport hails victory in sports row |date=5 December 2000}}</ref> Talksport's commentary team included [[Alan Parry]], [[Jim Proudfoot]], Mark Tompkins, [[Alvin Martin]] and [[Frank Stapleton]].{{cn|date=January 2025}}
* April 2002: [[Tommy Boyd]] and his production team were dismissed from Talksport after a call from someone who wanted to shoot the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Royal Family]] went through on air. Boyd went on record that he "did not share the views" of the caller.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/12/broadcasting1 |title=DJ fired after royal death threat |last=Hodgson |first=Jessica |date=12 April 2002 |access-date=16 August 2008 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* June 2002: Talksport broadcast unofficial coverage of the [[2002 World Cup]] taking place in [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]]. The station flagged up its inability to broadcast live from the stadia, taking out full page advertisements in national newspapers containing the tag line "It's unauthorised. It's unofficial. And it's brilliant." [[Jim Proudfoot]] and [[Alvin Martin]] were Talksport's main commentary team from its studios in London.<ref>[http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2002.html talkSPORT Station History – 2002] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719073624/http://www.talksport1089.com/talksporthistory2002.html |date=19 July 2015 }} talksport1089.com</ref>
* February 2003: Talksport received over 200 complaints for giving a platform to the controversial Muslim extremist cleric [[Abu Hamza al-Masri|Abu Hamza]]. Hamza and his aides were invited into the station to contribute to a religious debate on ''The [[James Whale (presenter)|James Whale]] Show'', alongside other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim delegates. On the night of the live broadcast, 24 February, a mass of protesters gather outside the station's London studios. Despite this, both Whale and head of programming Bill Ridley defended the station for having invited Hamza onto the programme.<ref name="talksport2"/>
* March 2004: [[Alan Brazil]] was dismissed by Talksport when, after spending three days at the [[Cheltenham Festival]], he subsequently failed to show up to present ''The Sports Breakfast'' on Friday 19 March. He was reinstated less than three weeks later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/06/radio?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=Jason |last=Deans |title=Brazil reinstated by TalkSport |date=6 April 2004}}</ref>
* May 2006: Alan Brazil was reportedly given three months' notice by Talksport after a bust-up with the station's management.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/may/18/radio.sport?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=John |last=Plunkett |title=Brazil out of the World Cup |date=18 May 2006}}</ref> Brazil and Talksport management held talks less than two months later, and Brazil signed a new long-term contract with the station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jul/05/radio?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |first=Ben |last=Dowell |title=Brazil back in World Cup |date=5 July 2006}}</ref>
* June 2006: Alan Brazil got in trouble with [[Ofcom]] for referring to [[Japanese (people)|Japanese]] people as "the [[nip]]s" during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in [[Germany]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/aug/07/radio1?commentpage=1|title=TalkSport rapped for 'derogatory' comment|last=Tryhorn|first=Chris|date=7 August 2006|access-date=16 August 2008|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* August 2007: [[Mike Mendoza (broadcaster)|Mike Mendoza]] and [[Garry Bushell]] made derogatory comments about [[homosexual|gay]] people, and the station was subsequently censured by regulator Ofcom.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6955065.stm |title=Talksport rapped over gay jibes |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2007 |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref>
* May 2008: James Whale was dismissed by Talksport after twice urging listeners to vote for [[Boris Johnson]] in the [[2008 London mayoral election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7385370.stm|title=Radio host James Whale is sacked |work=BBC News |date=6 May 2008 |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref> The station was subsequently fined £20,000 by Ofcom in December 2008.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
* November 2008: Presenter [[Jon Gaunt]] was dismissed for repeatedly calling a local councillor a "[[Nazi]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3416778/Radio-talk-show-host-John-Gaunt--suspending-after-Nazi-comment.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113093633/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3416778/Radio-talk-show-host-John-Gaunt--suspending-after-Nazi-comment.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2008 |title=Gaunt Suspended For "Nazi" Slur |work=The Telegraph |date=18 November 2008 |access-date=18 November 2008 |first1=Nicole |last1=Martin}}</ref> Gaunt has since sought legal action for unfair dismissal, but any potential case has yet to go to court.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/20/john-gaunt-sue-talksport Jon Gaunt still pursuing legal action against TalkSport] ''The Guardian'', 20 January 2009</ref>{{needs update|date=January 2025}}
* November 2008: Rod Lucas was dropped by Talksport, and the company stated they had "no plans to use him in the immediate future" after the membership list of the [[British National Party|BNP]] which was leaked on a [[Google]] blog named him as one of its members.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3484612/Rod-Lucas-dropped-by-TalkSPORT-after-BNP-links-emerge.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3484612/Rod-Lucas-dropped-by-TalkSPORT-after-BNP-links-emerge.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rod Lucas dropped by Talksport |work=The Telegraph |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=19 November 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The station clarified that this was not a sacking, for Lucas was only a temporary member of staff. The presenter himself said that his membership of the party was part of a covert research project.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/19/talksport DJ named on BNP member list joined to research story] ''The Guardian'', 19 November 2008</ref>
* February 2011: Talksport hired former [[Sky Sports]] commentators [[Andy Gray (footballer born 1955)|Andy Gray]] and [[Richard Keys]] (Gray had also been a pundit for the station) a fortnight after the pair were dismissed from Sky Sports for being at the centre of a [[Sian Massey#Sexism controversy|sexism controversy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12396699 |work=BBC News |title=Andy Gray and Richard Keys move to Talksport |date=8 February 2011}}</ref>
* April 2017: Ofcom upheld complaints against Mike Parry and Mike Graham for comments made on their daytime show the previous December, in which they laughed while telling anecdotes about sexual harassment by former colleagues at the ''[[Daily Express]]''. Talksport said in its statement that the two presenters were "laughing at the lack of action" against sexual harassment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Roy |title=The Two Mikes in Ofcom breach at talkSPORT |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/04/the-two-mikes-in-ofcom-breach-at-talksport/ |access-date=4 October 2017 |work=Radio Today |date=3 April 2017}}</ref>
* August 2021: A caller to ''The Sports Bar'' said that Tottenham Hotspur owner [[Daniel Levy (businessman)|Daniel Levy]] would not let [[Harry Kane]] leave for free because Levy is Jewish. The remark was not heard on the radio due to a tape delay to avoid offensive callers but was heard on a YouTube simulcast. Talksport apologised and suspended their simulcast until a delay could be enabled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Luke |title=Tottenham 'appalled' with antisemitic remark aimed at Daniel Levy on talkSPORT |url=https://theathletic.com/news/tottenham-appalled-with-antisemitic-remark-aimed-at-daniel-levy-on-talksport/GoXLzmCwYkbT |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=The Athletic |date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Radio|English football}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
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[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:News Broadcasting]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radio stations in London]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in the United Kingdom]]

Time 107.5

2025-05-25T09:32:08Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Time 107.5
| logo = File:Time107FM logo.gif
| image = Time 107.5 at The Liberty Shopping Centre.jpg
| airdate = 18 May 1998 (25 years ago)
| frequency = 107.5 MHz
| rds = TIME1075
| city = [[Romford]]
| area = East London and West Essex
| former_names = Active 107.5 FM Soul City FM
| format = [[Adult contemporary|AC]]
| owner = [[Lyca Media II Ltd]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.time1075.net/}}
}}

'''Time 107.5''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station, based in [[Romford]] and broadcasting to East London and parts of Essex.<ref>{{cite web |title=MCAs |url=http://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/mcamaps/MCAs.htm |website=static.ofcom.org.uk |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018165741/http://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/mcamaps/MCAs.htm |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref>
The station strapline is "All Time Favourites" and the station is available in FM on 107.5 MHz in the broadcast area and online via its website, Smart Speakers and via smart phone apps.

In 2024, it celebrated its 20th anniversary under the brand of Time FM.

As of September 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 14,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==
The station launched as '''Active 107.5 FM''' and, after ten years of planning, went on air on 18 May 1998, broadcasting to east London and in particular to the London Boroughs of [[London Borough of Havering|Havering]] and [[Barking & Dagenham]]. Active FM played a mix of new and old pop music with an emphasis on [[Soul music|soul]] and [[rhythm and blues]]; evening shows catered for specialist musical tastes covering genres including [[disco]], [[Garage rock|garage]] and contemporary [[Club Music|club music]]. The station had its own local news team which would broadcast from Studio 2.

The station was run out of Lambourne House, Romford and its transmitter was located on the roof.

Active FM was bought by [[UKRD Group]] which later ran the station as '''Soul City FM'''.

'''Time FM''' is the third name used by the station and was re branded along with a format change from Soul City when it then became known as Time 107.5 FM in April 2004. It was adopted when the company was acquired by the [[London Media Company]], a subdivision of the [[Sunrise Radio Group]].

Time In January 2014, Time 107.5 LTD entered [[Administration (law)|administration]], along with its sister stations, [[Time 106.6]], [[Sunrise Radio]] and [[Kismat Radio]]. On 4 February 2014 they were acquired for an estimated £2m by Lyca Media II Ltd, a subdivision of [[Lycamobile]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/administrators-confirm-sunrise-radio-sale-to-lyca-media | title=Administrators confirm Sunrise Radio sale to Lyca | publisher=bizAsia | date=4 February 2014 | first=Raj | last=Baddhan | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504213315/http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/administrators-confirm-sunrise-radio-sale-to-lyca-media | archivedate=4 May 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The station has retained its branding as 'Time 107.5FM'.

==Programming==
Time 107.5 plays a variety of music from the 1960s to the present day. News reports are live, in-house bulletins, with local stories covering the [[London boroughs|London Boroughs]] of Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.time1075.net/ Time 107.5 website]

{{London radio}}

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[[Category:Radio stations in Essex]]
[[Category:Radio stations in London]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Romford]]

{{UK-radio-station-stub}}

Smooth Scotland

2025-05-19T03:04:30Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Smooth Scotland
| logo = SMOOTH-LARGE.png
| logo_size = 190px
| city = [[Glasgow]] and [[Edinburgh]]
| area = East and West Scotland
| airdate =
| frequency = [[Digital Audio Broadcasting#DAB|DAB]]: 11C [[Glasgow]] DAB: 12D [[Edinburgh]] {{frequency|[[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 105.2|MHz [[Black Hill transmitting station|Black Hill]]}}
| coordinates =
| branding = ''Always The Best Music for Scotland''
| format = [[Middle of the road (music)|MOR]]/[[oldies]]
| network = [[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]]
| owner = [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]
| sister_stations = [[Capital Scotland]] [[Heart Scotland]]
| website = [http://www.smoothradio.com/scotland Smooth Scotland]
}}
'''Smooth Scotland''' is a Scottish [[Independent Local Radio|independent local radio]] station owned and operated by [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]] as part of the [[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth]] network. The station replaced [[Saga 105.2 FM]] in 2007.

As well as being carried on FM in the Glasgow area, the station is also broadcast on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] radio to the East of Scotland and online via a streaming service. It is also carried on FM in [[Wester Ross]] during non-local broadcast hours of [[Two Lochs Radio]] for which it forms a sustaining service.

==Overview==
===GMG Radio ownership===
The station came into being following [[GMG Radio]]'s purchase of the [[Saga Radio Group]] in December 2006, and the granting of permission from the regulator [[Ofcom]] to change the format of its [[Smooth Radio (2010)|Smooth FM]] stations in London and the North West of England. The decision was made to change both the Smooth FM and Saga stations to Smooth Radio and Saga 105.2 FM was closed at 6pm on Friday 23 March 2007. This was then followed by a preview weekend for the new Smooth Radio giving listeners the opportunity to hear the presenters and music which would be featured on the new station.

The station operated a 24-hour schedule of local programming until August 2008 when networked output from London and Manchester was introduced, leading to the firingsof six station presenters.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.heraldscotland.com/criticism-for-radio-station-that-axed-scots-djs-1.886671|title= Criticism for radio station that axed Scots DJs|publisher= Newsquest Media Ltd|work= Glasgow Herald|first= Carolyn|last= Churchill|date= 9 August 2008|accessdate= 29 May 2010}}</ref>

Following the publication of [[John Myers (radio executive)|John Myers]]' recommendations of a regulatory overhaul in commercial radio, and the passing of the [[Digital Economy Act 2010]], which allowed stations to co-locate or drop all local shows and broadcast on national [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]], Smooth Radio merged its five England-based stations into one quasi-national station, with local news feeds produced from GMG Radio's headquarters in [[Salford Quays]].<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Plunkett |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/jun/29/smooth-radio-merge-regional-stations |title=Smooth Radio to merge regional stations, with loss of up to 60 jobs |work=The Guardian |date=29 June 2010|accessdate=31 December 2011}}</ref> GMG made the announcement on 29 June 2010, that it wanted to rival [[BBC Radio 2]] by broadcasting on the [[Digital 1]] multiplex on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] Digital Radio to the whole of England and Wales, as well as [[BSkyB|Sky]], [[Freesat]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[Virgin Media]] and online. A regional flavour would be kept with split news, travel and weather bulletins broadcasting in the FM and DAB regional stations in the North East, North West, West Midlands and East Midlands. London listeners and those tuning nationally would hear national information.

===Global ownership===
Most of Smooth Radio's output was relocated to new owner [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]'s [[Leicester Square]] headquarters from 1 October 2013, a move that coincided with a major overhaul of its schedule, and the closure of Smooth 70s after 21 months on air.<ref name=RT-2013-10-03>{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/10/global-welcomes-smooth-radio-to-london-hq/ |title=Global welcomes Smooth Radio to London HQ |publisher=Radio Today |date=3 October 2013 |accessdate=3 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/10/smooth-radio-70s-to-close-after-21-months/ |title=Smooth Radio 70s to close after 21 months |publisher=Radio Today |date=3 October 2013 |accessdate=3 October 2013}}</ref>

In November 2016, Smooth Scotland and its sister station [[Heart Scotland]] moved from its former studios at [[Ballieston]] in the east end of Glasgow to Global's new Scottish headquarters at West Regent Street in the city centre.<ref>[https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/heart-scotland-smooth-fm-move-12116480 Heart Scotland and Smooth FM move into new city centre office broadcasting live from the heart of Glasgow], Glasgow Live, 12 November 2016</ref>

In September 2019, following OFCOM's decision to relax local content obligations from commercial radio, Smooth's local Drivetime and weekend shows were replaced by network programming from London.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/05/smooth-radio-poaches-angie-greaves-for-national-drive/ Smooth Radio poaches Angie Greaves for national Drive], Radio Today, 29 May 2019</ref> Local news bulletins, traffic updates and advertising were retained, alongside the station's Scottish breakfast show.

==Programming==
Local programming is produced and broadcast from Global's Glasgow studios from 6-10am on weekdays presented by John Mellis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-02 |title=Smooth Radio regional Breakfast presenters confirmed |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/09/smooth-radio-regional-breakfast-presenters-confirmed/ |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref> All networked programming originates from Global's London headquarters or studios in Birmingham and Manchester.

===News===
Global's Newsroom broadcasts hourly regional news bulletins. The Glasgow newsroom also produces bulletins for [[Capital Scotland|Capital]] and [[Heart Scotland|Heart]] in Scotland.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} National news updates air hourly from Global's London headquarters at times.<ref>[https://www.smoothradio.com/public-file/scotland/ Smooth Radio - Scotland public file]</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.smoothradio.com/scotland Smooth Scotland]
*[http://www.smoothradio.com/public-file/scotland/ Smooth Scotland - Public Profile]

{{Smooth Radio}}
{{Global Radio}}
{{Guardian Media Group}}
{{Glasgow radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smooth}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Glasgow]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 2007]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:GMG Radio]]
[[Category:Global Radio]]
[[Category:Smooth Radio|Scotland]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

LBC News

2025-05-19T03:02:06Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}

{{Infobox radio station
| name = LBC News
| logo = LBC_News_station_logo.png
| city = London
| area = United Kingdom
| airdate = {{start date and age|1994|10|05|df=y}}
| frequency = {{ubl|[[DAB+]]: 11D [[Digital One]]|[[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0155}}
| former_names = London Newstalk (1994–1996) LBC 1152 (1996–2002) LBC News 1152 (2002–2015) LBC London News (2015–2019)
| former_frequencies = [[AM band|AM]]: {{frequency|1152|kHz}} (London)
| format = [[All-news radio|News]]
| owner = [[Global Group|Global]]
| webcast = [https://www.globalplayer.com/live/lbcnews/london/ Global Player]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| sister_stations = [[LBC]]
}}
'''LBC News''' is a British digital radio station owned and operated by [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]. The sister station of [[LBC]], it broadcasts [[All-news radio|rolling news]] 24 hours a day nationwide on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] and Global Player. The station used to broadcast on analogue radio in [[Greater London]] on 1152 AM until Wednesday 30 October 2024.

==History==
The 1152 AM frequency in London has a complicated history of format and ownership. Continuous news radio in London dates from the early 1990s. In September 1993, London News Radio was awarded the AM and FM licences previously held by LBC. They proposed a continuous news service on FM and a news/talk format on AM.

By the time the licence was due to start in October 1994, London News Radio had been through several upheavals, first acquiring LBC and then itself being bought up by [[Reuters]]. At launch on 5 October 1994, the company was known as London Radio Services and it operated London News 97.3FM and London News Talk 1152AM. London News initially operated on a 20-minute wheel. The first presenters on air were [[Michael Wilson (presenter)|Michael Wilson]] and Clare Catford. The morning sequence was presented by LBC veteran Jonathan Staples with Nicky Broyd the afternoon presenter. Drivetime was in the hands of Christopher Terry and Brenda Ellison. John Terrett was the evening host.

By spring 1995, the rolling news format gave way to a more traditional schedule of news sequences and magazine programmes. The station name was shortened to News 97.3 in the summer. In 1996, Reuters sold London Radio Services to the newly formed London News Radio (unrelated to the previous LNR company), in which [[ITN]], [[DMGT]], Reuters and [[GWR Group]] held equal shares. In summer 1996, the station reverted to a rolling news format, initially with no name (the station was branded as 97.3FM). In the autumn, following a move to ITN's headquarters, the station was relaunched as News Direct 97.3FM and Chris Mann was appointed editor.

In 2000 the station was renamed ITN News Direct 97.3FM. In late 2002, following the sale of the station to [[Chrysalis Radio]], the station dropped the ITN prefix and returned to its previous name until the rebrand as LBC News 1152. During Christmas and New Year 2002/03 an LBC News-branded rolling news service was carried on both 97.3FM and 1152AM prior to the full launches of [[LBC 97.3]] and LBC News 1152, swapping the frequencies of the news and talk stations.

In Spring 2007, it was announced that the station would be replaced by [[Sky News Radio]].<ref name="Sky News">{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.1827|title=LBC News to become Sky News Radio|date=3 April 2007|access-date=3 April 2007|publisher=Radio Today|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022157/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.1827|archive-date=27 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This move came alongside [[Channel 4]]'s [[4 Digital Group]] second [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] [[DAB ensemble|multiplex]] bid. On 18 October 2007, the station's new owners [[Global Radio]] announced that they and Sky had scrapped a joint venture to turn LBC News 1152 into a 24-hour Sky News branded station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.2576|title=Sky News Radio complications|date=18 October 2007|access-date=11 June 2009|publisher=Radio Today|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330105850/http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.2576|archive-date=30 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In Summer 2008, the 1152 service was substantially cut back. The overnight automated service was abandoned and replaced with a simulcast of [[LBC 97.3]]. The daytime service became semi-automated, with much greater reliance on recorded audio from LBC's FM talk station and Sky News. LBC's five-and-a-half-year relationship with business news provider [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] was also abandoned in favour of business updates from [[CNBC]]. On 15 November 2010, LBC News 1152 was added to the Sky and Virgin Media EPGs, with the station using channel slots formerly occupied by [[Galaxy Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/4302-lbc-news-replaces-galaxy-on-digital-tv|title=LBC News replaces Galaxy on digital TV|publisher=The Airwaves|date=15 November 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724100521/http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/4302-lbc-news-replaces-galaxy-on-digital-tv|archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> This came six weeks ahead of Galaxy's rebranding to [[95.8 Capital FM|Capital FM]].

In January and February 2012, the station reverted to live presentation throughout the day with a format of headlines every 15 minutes. For the previous four years parts of the daytime schedule had been automated.

In January 2015, LBC News 1152 changed its name to LBC London News and moved to a 20-minute wheel of news, with headlines at :00, :20 and :40 minutes past each hour, and key presenters including Jim Diamond on breakfast and Chris Golds on drivetime.{{CN|date=July 2022}}

On 28 October 2019, LBC London News changed name to LBC News. While it remained on 1152AM in the London area for a further five years, it has been available since that date on DAB+ via the [[Digital One|D1]] multiplex nationwide using the space vacated by [[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]] switching to DAB+. It has reverted to a 24-hour station dropping its simulcast of LBC but otherwise keeping the same format of 20 minute bulletins but with a UK wide focus.

LBC News announced it would stop broadcasting on medium wave from the end of October 2024 as part of Global’s strategy to switch off all AM transmitters across the UK as listening moves to digital platforms, marking the end of 49 years of broadcasting (a different frequency was used from 1973-75) on the former AM frequency of the first Independent Local Radio, LBC (London Broadcasting Company).

For the last twelve days of broadcasting on AM on air, a closedown announcement was played out on the frequency at the end of the advert break before the Top of the Hour news bulletin, warning listeners that they would no longer be able to listen to LBC News on AM in London and advising them to retune to digital platforms to continue listening.

Broadcasting of regular programmes on 1152 AM ceased on Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 10:00AM and a closedown loop, being an edited version of the closedown announcement, was played out on the frequency, informing listeners that LBC News was no longer available on 1152 AM in London and redirecting them to digital platforms to continue listening.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mw |date=2024-10-30 |title=United Kingdom |url=https://mediumwave.info/2024/10/30/united-kingdom-476/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Ydun's Medium Wave Info |language=en-US}}</ref> The AM transmitter then permanently ceased broadcasting and fell silent at 3:00PM on Thursday 31 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Roy |date=18 October 2024 |title=LBC News to vacate 1152 AM frequency in London |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/lbc-news-to-vacate-1152-am-frequency-in-london/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |website=RadioToday}}</ref>

==Programming==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}
From 28 October 2019, LBC News has broadcast 24 hours a day having previously simulcasted LBC during the evening and overnight – however programming is automated between 11pm and 6am.

90-second news bulletins are updated hourly through the night from "Global's Newsroom" which provides news to all [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]] stations.

Following the decision by [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] to drop the reading of the classified football results from the start of the 2022-23 season, the station broadcasts the IRN network classified results read by Colin Besley live every Saturday afternoon at 17:10.

The station's suppliers include [[Sky News Radio]] and [[INRIX|INRIX Media]].

==Listeners==
In Q3 2019, LBC London News had a record reach of 612,000 listeners every week, who listen for around 5.3 hours a week. Since Q1 2006, the station has shown consistent growth in terms of people listening, and roughly static total hours.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

As of December 2023, LBC News and LBC London News broadcast to a combined weekly audience of 1.2 million, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref name="RAJAR">{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=Quarterly listening|publisher=RAJAR|access-date=11 January 2024}} Updated quarterly.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Global Radio}}
{{London radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lbc News 1152}}
[[Category:Radio stations in London]]
[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1994]]
[[Category:LBC]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in England]]

LBC

2025-05-19T03:01:08Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|British talk radio station based in London}}
{{About|the UK national radio station|the national rolling news station|LBC News|the Lebanese television station|LBCI|other things named LBC|LBC (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

{{Infobox radio station
| name = LBC
| logo = LBC Radio.png
| city = London
| area = United Kingdom
| airdate = {{ubl|{{start date and age|1973|10|08|df=y}}}}
| former_frequencies = [[AM band|AM]]: {{frequency|719|kHz (720 kHz)}} (London) (1973–1975) [[AM band|AM]]: {{frequency|1151|kHz (1152 kHz)}} (London) (1975–1989)
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11D/12A [[Digital One]]|[[DAB+]]: 6C DigiB (Malta) [[DAB+]]: 12A (Channel Islands)|[[FM band|FM]]: {{frequency|97.3|MHz}} [[Croydon transmitting station|London]]|[[Freesat]]: 734|[[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 732|[[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0123|[[TalkTalk TV]]: 627|[[Virgin Media]]: 919}}
| rds = LBC
| format = [[News/talk]]
| owner = [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]
| sister_stations = [[LBC News]]
| webcast = [https://www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/london/ Global Player]
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''LBC''' (originally the '''London Broadcasting Company''') is a British [[phone-in]] and [[talk radio]] station owned and operated by [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]] and based in its headquarters in London. It was the UK's first licensed [[Commercial broadcasting|commercial]] [[radio station]], and began to broadcast on Monday 8 October 1973,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/8/newsid_2530000/2530721.stm |title=On this day: 1973 – Commercial radio joins UK airwaves |website=[[BBC News]] |date=8 October 1973}}</ref> a week ahead of [[Capital London|Capital Radio]].

The launch of LBC also saw the beginning of [[Independent Radio News]] broadcasting, as LBC provided the service to independent local radio stations nationwide. LBC broadcast only to London until 2006, at which time it became available, via digital radio, in some other parts of the country. It has been available nationwide since 2014, with the letters now standing for '''Leading Britain's Conversation'''. LBC has a like-branded sister station, [[LBC News]], dedicated to rolling news, travel and weather.

==History==
===Launch and early history===
The station was originally based in studios on Gough Square, off [[Fleet Street]] in the [[City of London]].
[[David Jessel]] was LBC's original breakfast presenter; he opened the station just before 6 a.m. on Monday 8 October 1973. The original station had several presenters who became household names in the British media. These include [[Adrian Love]], [[Jon Snow (journalist)|Jon Snow]], [[Peter Allen (UK broadcaster)|Peter Allen]], [[Rosie Boycott, Baroness Boycott|Rosie Boycott]], and [[Bel Mooney]]. For 10 years from 1975 the breakfast show ''AM'' was presented by [[Bob Holness]] and [[Douglas Cameron (broadcaster)|Douglas Cameron]]. LBC's late-evening interview and phone-in programme between 9{{nbsp}}p.m. (later 10{{nbsp}}p.m.) and 1{{nbsp}}a.m. was called ''Nightline ''and at various times was hosted by Adrian Love, [[Robin Houston]], [[Montague Modlyn|Monty Modlyn]], [[Jeremy Beadle]] and [[Tommy Boyd]]. There was also a character called "Mr Nasty" (played by [[John Forrest (producer)|John Forrest]]), who argued over the telephone with children. Beadle and Forrest went on to star in the [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]] series ''Fun Factory''.{{CN|date=November 2022}}

===Changes of ownership===
Originally owned by a consortium led by the Canadian [[Selkirk Communications]] of Vancouver, British Columbia with a 47% stake, LBC was sold in 1987, beginning a turbulent commercial history. The new owners were media company Darling Downs, later renamed Crown Communications, owned by Australian entrepreneur David Haynes. Crown sold the station's original base in Gough Square near [[Fleet Street]] in the [[City of London]] and relocated to [[Hammersmith]]; and in 1989 split the station into two separate services, the news and comment station LBC Crown FM, and the phone-in London Talkback Radio on AM. The transition was not initially well received, and substantially increased costs, pushing the company into the red. In 1993, the company was sold to [[Shirley Porter]]'s Chelverton Investments, after Crown fell into financial difficulties.<ref>[http://www.amfm.org.uk/amfmnews/amfm8.html New Owners For LBC], AM/FM News, February 1993.</ref>

===London News Radio===
On the morning of Friday, 3 September 1993, the [[Radio Authority]] announced it would not renew the company's two licences, LBC Newstalk and London Talkback Radio, awarding the frequencies instead to '''London News Radio''', a consortium led by former LBC staff and backed by [[Guinness Mahon]].<ref>[http://www.amfm.org.uk/amfmnews/amfm15.html LBC To Appeal Over Licence Decision], AM/FM News, September 1993.</ref> Staff at the station were in shock, not least because while they had received a tip-off from the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that they looked set to lose one of their frequencies, they did not expect to lose both. This was one of only a handful of times the UK media regulator had declined to renew the licence of an incumbent station. The prospective loss of the franchise brought Chelverton to the brink of collapse,<ref>[http://www.amfm.org.uk/amfmnews/amfm22.html Receivers In At LBC], AM/FM News, April 1994.</ref> and London News Radio (soon itself taken over by [[Reuters]]) bought LBC to keep it on air until the official handover date of October 1994.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lynn |last=Eaton |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/lbc-signs-off-after-21-years-1440902.html |title=LBC signs off after 21 years |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=5 October 1994}}</ref>

London News Radio operated the station from LBC's former studios in Hammersmith as London News 97.3, a rolling news and travel information service on the [[Frequency modulation|FM band]], and the phone-in-driven service London News Talk 1152 on the [[mediumwave|MW band]]. These names were simplified slightly in mid-1995 to News 97.3 and News Talk 1152 respectively, but between October 1994 and July 1996 the LBC name was not used on-air at all.

===Return of LBC===
Reuters then brought in additional shareholders, and between 1996 and 2002 LBC was part of London News Radio Limited, a company owned jointly by [[ITN]], [[Daily Mail and General Trust]], Reuters, and the [[GWR Group]]. This new consortium revived the LBC name on 1152AM on 1 July 1996. At the end of 1996, the FM service was relaunched as News Direct 97.3FM. Production for the station was moved to the basement of [[ITN]]'s multimedia building in [[Gray's Inn Road]].

===Chrysalis===
In 2002, the company was bought for £23.5m by the media company [[Chrysalis Group|Chrysalis]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Damian |last=Reece |title=London News Radio for sale with £30m tag |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2001/12/16/cnrad16.xml |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=15 December 2001}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Milmo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/sep/25/broadcasting.citynews1 |title=LBC takeover imminent |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |date=25 September 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Cassy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/sep/26/broadcasting.citynews |title=GWR confirms LNR sale |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=26 September 2002}}</ref> which trumpeted its purchase with the promise that it would lift the listenership to at least one million from around 700,000 (LBC had enjoyed an audience of more than two million in the early 1980s). Production was moved to Chrysalis's base in [[North Kensington]], and the formatting of the two frequencies was swapped, the talk format moving to FM and the news format to AM.<ref>{{cite news |first=Julia |last=Day |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/dec/06/radio.commercialradio |title=LBC goes off air in relaunch gamble |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=6 December 2002}}</ref>

On 13 January 2004, then British [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] presented an hour-long phone-in show on the station, taking pre-booked calls from LBC 97.3 listeners. His appearance was part of the "Big Conversation" initiative to promote government as being more accessible and in touch with the people. During the 10{{ndash}}11{{nbsp}}a.m. show, a caller said that he had been denied access to his children for five years and asked what Blair was planning to do about other fathers in a similar situation. Blair assured the caller he would look into his case personally. It later transpired that the caller was in fact [[Fathers 4 Justice]] member Ron Davis, who in May of that year was arrested for entering Parliament and throwing a condom containing purple powder over Blair and nearby Cabinet members. Davis said the attack was in response to the Prime Minister's failure to contact him or look into the matters discussed on LBC 97.3.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Womack|first1=Sarah|title=Estranged father confronted Prime Minister during a radio phone-in|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1462323/Estranged-father-confronted-Prime-Minister-during-a-radio-phone-in.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1462323/Estranged-father-confronted-Prime-Minister-during-a-radio-phone-in.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=15 October 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 May 2004}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BBC ON THIS DAY {{!}} 19 {{!}} 2004: Angry dads hit Blair with purple flour|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/19/newsid_4516000/4516355.stm|access-date=15 October 2016|publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jackson|first1=Andy|title=May 19, 2004: Dads' group hits Tony Blair with purple flour during Prime Minister's Questions|url=http://home.bt.com/news/world-news/may-19-2004-dads-group-hits-tony-blair-with-purple-flour-during-prime-ministers-questions-11363981783027|access-date=15 October 2016|work=BT.com|date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

[[Mark Flanagan (communications)|Mark Flanagan]], the station's Managing Director, left Chrysalis in 2005 to set up a political consultancy company, and was replaced by David Lloyd.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Deans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jul/18/radio |title=Flanagan quits LBC for politics |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=18 July 2005}}</ref> He introduced a [[PODcasting|podcasting]] service called LBC Plus, and a number of premium-rate promotional opportunities to replace falling advertising revenues experienced by the radio sector.

In January 2006, LBC Plus launched as a paid subscription service providing [[podcast]]s;<ref>{{cite news |title=Paid-for podcasts boost LBC revenue |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/broadcast/paid-for-podcasts-boost-lbc-revenue/ |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=Press Gazette |date=14 May 2007}}</ref> eventually this became a free catch-up service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lbc.audioagain.com/|title=LBC Catch Up|website=lbc.audioagain.com|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330102749/http://lbc.audioagain.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2006, LBC 97.3 became available in some other parts of the country on the digital [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] platform, after Chrysalis bought out its partners and closed the [[DNN (radio)|Digital News Network]] rolling news station, which had previously been carried on the MXR multiplex. Each multiplex region − the North West, West Midlands, Yorkshire, North East, South Wales, and the West − broadcast the London LBC transmission, augmented with occasional bulletins of regional news and travel information.<ref>{{cite press release |title=LBC Radio in DAB Expansion – potential 17 million audience |url=http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=26524&hilite= |date=28 July 2006 |publisher=LBC Radio}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Julia |last=Day |title=Ofcom gives nod to LBC news hub |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/aug/01/ofcom.commercialradio |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 August 2006}}</ref>

===Global Radio===
In February 2007, Chrysalis confirmed media speculation that it was reviewing the entire radio operation at its investors' request.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Tryhorn |title=Chrysalis joins consolidation race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/feb/12/mediabusiness.citynews |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=12 February 2007}}</ref> Further media speculation from ''[[The Guardian]]'' suggested that the group had little option, due to shareholder pressure, to sell its radio arm, including LBC, raising up to £200 million for new acquisitions, while ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' suggested that it could be the subject of a management buyout. Subsequently, it was announced on 25 June 2007 that LBC along with its sister stations [[The Arrow (radio)|The Arrow]], [[Heart Network|Heart]], and [[Galaxy Radio|Galaxy]] network were to be sold for £170 million to [[Global Radio]] by the [[Chrysalis Group]], whose Chrysalis Radio operation closed down.<ref>{{cite news |first=Emma |last=Thelwell |title=Chrysalis sells three radio stations |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/06/25/bcnchrys125.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108152234/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/06/25/bcnchrys125.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 January 2008 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=26 June 2007}}</ref> In December 2008 the station moved to the [[Capital London]] studios in Leicester Square.

In April 2007, a new marketing slogan for (what was then called) LBC 97.3 was introduced − "London's Biggest Conversation", a play on the station's initials.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joanne |last=Oatts |title=LBC becomes 'London's Biggest Conversation' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/radio/a44804/lbc-becomes-londons-biggest-conversation.html |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=3 April 2007}}</ref>

The radio station became involved in the [[MMR vaccine controversy]] after a broadcast by [[Jeni Barnett]] on 7 January 2009 in which she debated the alleged dangers of MMR vaccine with callers. It became the subject of media controversy, first because her views were criticised as irresponsible by medical journalist Dr [[Ben Goldacre]], and then because LBC and Global Radio threatened legal action against Goldacre for copyright infringement after he refused to remove the audio of the show from his blog, which resulted in its being made available at Wikileaks and elsewhere and the preparation of transcripts of the broadcast. [[David Aaronovitch]] in ''[[The Times]]'' argued for "a class action against LBC for permitting a presenter to inflict her preposterous prejudices on her listeners, to the detriment of someone else's kids."<ref>{{cite news | title = The preposterous prejudice of the anti-MMR lobby | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/david_aaronovitch/article5696902.ece | newspaper = The Times | location = London | first = David | last = Aaronovitch | date = 10 February 2009 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Norman Lamb]] MP tabled an [[Early Day Motion]] criticising Barnett and LBC for the likely effect of the broadcast on public health.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37811&SESSION=899 | title = Early Day Motion 754: MMR vaccine and the media | publisher = UK Parliament | date = 10 February 2009 | access-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-date = 15 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024515/http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37811&SESSION=899 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Towards the end of October 2012, the station ceased DAB broadcasts to some parts of the country as regional DAB multiplexes in England and Wales were shut down.

Since 2013 LBC has broadcast a consumer law show, called ''The Consumer Hour'' that focused on providing information, advice, and support to listeners on various consumer-related topics, such as personal finance, product safety, and consumer rights. The show was initially hosted by [[Clive Bull]] with listeners' questions answered by guest consumer lawyer [[Dean Dunham]]; since 2020 Dunham has solely presented the show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dean Dunham - Presenters - Radio - LBC |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/dean-dunham/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=LBC |language=en}}</ref>

On 30 January 2014, LBC announced its intention to begin broadcasting nationally on DAB at 7{{nbsp}}a.m. on 11 February 2014 under a new slogan, "Leading Britain's Conversation", with new jingles composed by [[David Arnold (conductor)|David Arnold]] and performed by the [[City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacob |first1=Jonathan |title=LBC goes national – new jingle package |url=https://earshotcreative.com/2014/02/lbc-goes-national-new-jingle-package/ |website=Earshot |access-date=14 February 2023 |date=11 February 2014}}</ref> LBC took up the slot previously occupied by [[Jazz FM (UK)|Jazz FM]] (and briefly [[Birdsong (radio channel)|Birdsong]]), and dropped the "97.3" from the station name to reinforce the notion that it now had national coverage.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Sweney |title=LBC to go national on DAB digital radio |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jan/30/lbc-national-dab-digitaal-radio |work=The Guardian |date=30 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Burrell |title=LBC to take on Radio 5 Live with national expansion |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/lbc-to-take-on-radio-5-live-with-national-expansion-9095430.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=30 January 2014}}</ref>

In a 2023 poll by [[YouGov]], 14% of respondents ranked LBC as a trusted news brand. A further 14% of respondents did not trust LBC. The remaining respondents were either neutral or did not answer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Majid |first1=Aisha |title=UK newsbrand trust rankings: The Sun is least-trusted and BBC and FT lead the way |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/uk-newsbrand-trust-rankings-sun-least-trusted-bbc-ft-most/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=Press Gazette |date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

As of September 2024, LBC and LBC London broadcast to a combined weekly audience of 4.1 million, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref name="RAJAR">{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=Quarterly listening|publisher=RAJAR|access-date=11 January 2024}} Updated quarterly.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{LBC radio}}
{{Global Radio}}
{{London radio}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:LBC| ]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1973]]
[[Category:British radio networks]]
[[Category:Radio stations in London]]
[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Conservative media in the United Kingdom]]

Heart London

2025-05-19T02:57:28Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|Radio station in London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = The Heart Network logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| airdate = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1995|9|5}}
| name = Heart London
| branding = ''London's Heart''
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 106.2 [[megahertz|MHz]] [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: CE Digital ([[London]]), Block 12C, 128 kbit/s [[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0111 [[TalkTalk TV]]: 612 [[Virgin Media]]: 918 [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] 728 [[Freesat]] 733
| rds = HEART
| format = [[Hot AC]]
| network = [[Heart (radio network)|Heart]]
| owner = [[Global Group|Global]]
| sister_stations = [[Capital London]] [[LBC]] [[LBC News]] [[Smooth London]] [[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]] [[Gold (British radio network)|Gold]]
| website = {{URL|www.heart.co.uk/london}}
}}
'''Heart London''' is a regional [[radio broadcasting|radio station]] owned and operated by [[Global Group|Global Radio]] as part of the [[Heart (radio network)|Heart]] network. Across [[London]] and its neighbouring counties, it can be heard on 106.2 [[Hertz|MHz]].

==History==
In 1994 Chrysalis Radio was awarded a London-wide licence to broadcast "soft AC" music, winning the licence as "Crystal FM".

The name was changed to Heart 106.2 which began test transmissions in August 1995, prior to the station launch on 5 September. This included live broadcasts of [[WPLJ]] from [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=497467 |title=wplj before Heart 106.2 |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref>

In 1996 the Heart programming format saw the "soft AC" music replaced with a generally more neutral Hot AC playlist.{{CN|date=March 2025}}

On 25 June 2007, [[Chrysalis Records]] announced that [[Heart Digital|Heart]] along with its [[sister station]]s [[The Arrow (radio)|The Arrow]], [[Sky News Radio]], [[LBC]] and [[Galaxy Radio|Galaxy]] were to be sold for £170 million to [[Global Group|Global Radio]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080108152234/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/06/25/bcnchrys125.xml Chrysalis sells three radio stations]</ref>

On 28 April 2008, Heart London began simulcasting most of its programmes on [[Heart West Midlands]], thereby beginning a roll-out of Heart London to other stations and by 2010, local programming was reduced to seven hours on weekdays and four hours on Saturday and Sunday. By 2019, that output was reduced to the OFCOM minimum 3 hours per weekday, with no local content on weekends.

==Current notable presenters==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2024}}
*[[Lindsey Russell]]
*[[Amanda Holden]]
*[[Jamie Theakston]]
*[[Ashley Roberts]]
*[[Kelly Brook]]
*[[Jason King (presenter)|Jason King]]
*[[Dev (DJ)|Dev Griffin]]
*[[Toby Anstis]]
*[[Zoe Hardman]]
*[[Mark Wright (TV personality)|Mark Wright]]
*[[Yasmin Evans]]
*[[Emma Bunton]]
*[[Lucy Horobin]]
*[[Vicky Pattison]]
*[[Scarlette Douglas]]
*[[Davina Mccall]]
*[[Olly Murs]]

==Availability==
In addition to [[FM radio|FM]], the station is available on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] digital radio in London, and across the [[Heart UK|UK]] on [[Freesat]], [[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky]], [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[TalkTalk TV]] and [[Virgin Media]]. The station is also available on MXR regional DAB [[multiplexes]] in the North West, North East, the Severn Estuary and Yorkshire, as well as on Switch Digital in central Scotland, having replaced [[Heart Digital]]. Until April 2006, the station could also be listened to worldwide through its Internet stream. However, according to the website, the station has withdrawn this facility outside the UK due to licensing laws.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heart1062.co.uk/article.asp?id=66804|title = Heart}}</ref>

==News==
Global's London headquarters broadcasts hourly news bulletins 24 hours a day, including local news bulletins from 0500 to 1900 on weekdays and 0600 to noon at weekends.<ref name=public>[https://www.heart.co.uk/public-file/london/ Public File – London], heart.co.uk, 1 June 2019</ref>{{bsn|date=January 2024}}

== See also ==
* [[Heart East]]
* [[Heart South]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.heart.co.uk/london/}}

{{Heart (radio network)}}
{{Global Radio}}
{{London radio}}
{{Freeview}}

{{coords|51.5102|-0.1286|display=title}}

[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radio stations in London]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Heart (radio network) stations|London]]

Capital Anglesey & Gwynedd

2025-05-19T02:51:35Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|Former Welsh-language radio station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Capital Anglesey & Gwynedd
| logo = File:Capital Cymru 2022.png
| logo_size = 250px
| area = [[Anglesey]] and [[Gwynedd]]
| coordinates = {{coord|53.0199|-4.2732|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| airdate = {{ubl|{{start date|1998|12|11|df=y}} {{small|(as Champion 103}}|March 2009 {{small|(as Heart Cymru)}}|6 May 2014 {{small|(as Capital Cymru)}}}}
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12D North Wales |[[FM broadcasting|FM]]: {{frequency|103.0|MHz}} [[Arfon transmitting station|Gwynedd]]}}
| branding = ''North Wales' No.1 Hit Music Station''
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR]] ([[Welsh language|Welsh]])
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[Capital North West and North Wales]]|[[Capital South Wales]]}}
| owner = [[Global Group|Global]]
| network = {{ubl|[[Heart (radio network)|Heart]] {{small|(2009–2014)}}|[[Capital (radio network)|Capital]] {{small|(2014–present)}}}}
| webcast = [https://www.globalplayer.com/live/capital/cymru/ Global Player]
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Capital Anglesey & Gwynedd''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capital Anglesey & Gwynedd - The UK's No.1 Hit Music Station |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/cymru/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Capital |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Public File - Anglesey & Gwynedd |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/public-file/anglesey-gwynedd/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Capital |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Capital {{!}} Radio Advertising {{!}} Global |url=https://global.com/radio/capital/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250220100853/https://global.com/radio/capital/ |archive-date=2025-02-20 |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=Global |language=en-GB}}</ref> formerly known as '''Capital Cymru''', is a local radio station owned and operated by [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]. The station broadcasts to [[Anglesey]] and [[Gwynedd]] via the [[Arfon transmitting station]].

Previously, the station formed part of the [[Heart (radio network)|Heart]] network, and earlier, the [[Marcher Radio Group]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nine more Hearts makes 33|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2009/04/nine-more-hearts-makes-33/|date=2009-04-28|website=[[Radio Today (website)|Radio Today]]|quote=Nine more radio stations will be re-branded as Heart on June 22nd, including the former Marcher Group stations in North Wales and North West England.}}</ref> It switched to the [[Capital (radio network)|Capital network]] on 6 May 2014. [[Heart North and Mid Wales]] now covers the region as part of the Heart network.

==Overview==
Although the official transmission area takes in most of the Isle of Anglesey and a large part of Gwynedd (as far south as [[Harlech]]), the location of its transmitter means the signal carries across [[Cardigan Bay]] and can be heard in parts of [[Pembrokeshire]] and even in [[Ireland]]. Capital Cymru is also available on the North West Wales local DAB [[digital radio]] multiplex—broadcasting alongside the North Wales Coast feed of [[Capital North West and Wales]].

Up until 21 February 2025, the station aired local programming in the Welsh language with the Capital network's playlist tweaked to include contemporary Welsh language music.

==History==
When it launched in December 1998 as '''Champion 103''', it was the first commercial radio station to serve [[Anglesey]] and [[Gwynedd]] as a whole, although Marcher [[Coast 96.3]] had been broadcasting to a small part of the area for some time from its Colwyn Bay studios.

Originally owned and operated by the [[Marcher Radio Group]], Champion 103 broadcast from studios at Parc Menai in [[Bangor, Gwynedd]] - later sharing its facilities with Coast 96.3. In 2000, the four Marcher stations - including Champion - were brought by the [[GWR Group]] and became part of [[The One Network]].

In March 2009, following Global Radio's takeover of GCap Media, Champion was rebranded as Heart Cymru as part of a rollout of the Heart network across 29 local radio stations owned by Global. By this point, local programming had been reduced to ten hours on weekdays and seven hours at weekends.

In July 2010, Global closed the Bangor studios and moved Heart Cymru's operations to the former Marcher headquarters in [[Gwersyllt]], near [[Wrexham]]. By this point, the three Heart stations serving [[Heart North Wales Coast|North Wales Coast]], [[Heart Cheshire and North East Wales|Cheshire & North East Wales]] and [[Heart Wirral|the Wirral]] were merged into one regional station, [[Heart North West and Wales]]. Heart Cymru was not affected by the network restructuring.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/heart-radio-moves-bangor-wrexham-2752073|title=Heart Radio moves from Bangor to Wrexham|newspaper=[[Daily Post (North Wales)|Daily Post]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|location=Colwyn Bay|date=2010-07-29|quote=Heart has gone out of Bangor after the popular radio station decided to close its doors and move to Wrexham. It will shift North Wales operations from its Parc Menai base to the east of the region.}}</ref>

On 6 February 2014, Global announced that Heart Cymru would be rebranded as Capital, with the North Wales licence of Real Radio Wales being sold to [[Communicorp]] and relaunched as a new separate [[Heart North Wales|Heart station for North and Mid Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/communicorp-buys-8-global-radio-stations/ |title=Communicorp buys 8 Global stations |website=[[Radio Today (website)|Radio Today]] |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=6 February 2014|quote=Heart will become region-wide in the North West when the former Marcher stations switch to Capital and Heart appears on the Real Radio North Wales and North West frequencies.}}</ref>

Capital Cymru was launched on 6 May 2014. All local output, including extended Welsh language shows, news bulletins and network opt-outs were retained.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global confirms Heart expansion details|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/04/global-confirms-heart-expansion-details/ |website=[[Radio Today (website)|Radio Today]]|date=14 April 2014}}</ref>

On 23 May 2019, Capital Cymru dropped all of Capital's networked programming and introduced a full schedule of local output, including an additional Welsh-language daytime show.<ref name="extra">{{cite web |date=22 May 2019 |title=schedule |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/cymru/radio/schedule/ |website=capitalfm.com |quote=Capital Cymru}}</ref> The station retained both the Capital branding and the tweaked [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR]] music playlist.

''[[The Official Big Top 40]]'', simulcast on [[Heart North Wales]], continued to air on Sunday afternoons. Outside programming hours, the station broadcast automated output, including a full hour of Welsh language music at 5am on weekday mornings.<ref name=extra />

In January 2025, it was reported that Capital Cymru would lose all of its Welsh language programming following the broadcast regulator Ofcom's decision to relax local content obligations for commercial radio, apart from news.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/erthyglau/cr4r473k931o Gorsaf radio Capital Cymru i ddod â rhaglenni Cymraeg i ben], BBC Cymru Fyw, 9 January 2025</ref>

The station ended local programming in Welsh at 7pm on 21 February 2025 before resuming network programming from London two days later, effectively becoming a relay of [[Capital North West and North Wales]]. It now simulcasts a national drivetime show for Wales on weekdays, presented by Josh Andrews and Kally Davies and broadcast from Global's Cardiff Bay studios.<ref>[https://global.com/global-confirms-programming-changes-february-2025/ Global confirms new nationwide radio shows for Heart, Capital & Smooth], Global, 5 February 2025</ref> Local news and traffic bulletins were retained.

==Programming==
Most networked programming originates from Global's London headquarters.<ref name=publicfile>{{cite web|title=Public File - Anglesey & Gwynedd|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/public-file/anglesey-gwynedd/|website=Capital FM|publisher=[[Global Radio]]}}</ref>

National programming for Wales is produced and broadcast from Global's Cardiff Bay studios on weekdays from 4–7pm, presented by Josh Andrews and Kally Davies.<ref>[https://global.com/global-confirms-programming-changes-february-2025/ Global confirms new nationwide radio shows for Heart, Capital & Smooth], Global, 5 February 2025</ref>

===News===
Global’s Cardiff Bay newsroom broadcasts hourly localized news updates from 6{{nbsp}}am–6{{nbsp}}pm on weekdays and 8{{nbsp}}am–12{{nbsp}}pm at weekends.

== See also ==
*[[List of Celtic-language media]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Capital (radio network)}}
{{Radio in Wales}}{{Welsh language}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Wales]]
[[Category:Marcher Radio Group]]
[[Category:Welsh-language mass media]]
[[Category:Bangor, Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Capital (radio network)|Cymru]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Wales]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

Silk Radio

2025-05-19T02:47:45Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Cheshire's Silk Radio 2023.png
| logo_size = 200px
| name = Cheshire's Silk Radio
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1998|05|26|df=yes}}
| former_names = Silk FM Cheshire's Silk 106.9
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 106.9 MHz [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 7D ([[Crewe]] and [[Nantwich]]) 9A ([[Congleton]] and [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]])
| rds = SILK1069
| city = [[Macclesfield]]
| area = [[Cheshire East|East Cheshire]]
| format = [[Adult contemporary|AC]]
| coordinates = {{coord|53.2061|-2.1007|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| owner = Dee Radio Group
| sister_stations = [[Dee Radio|Chester's Dee Radio]]
| website = [http://www.silk1069.com/ Silk Radio]
}}

'''Cheshire's Silk Radio''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] serving [[Macclesfield]] and parts of [[Cheshire East|East Cheshire]], owned and operated by neighbouring station [[Dee 106.3|Chester's Dee Radio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4835|title="Radio Today" article: Silk FM sold to Dee 106.3|date=2009-06-11|publisher=Radio Today|accessdate=2009-10-03|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723234449/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4835|archivedate=2009-07-23}}</ref>

It broadcasts a mix of current and classic hits alongside local news and sport.

As of March 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 7,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=RAJAR }}</ref>

== History ==
Silk FM launched on 25 May 1998 with special guest [[Sammy McIlroy]], then manager of [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]] Football Club. Past presenters have included Nick Wright, Jeff Cooper, Guy Morris, Paul Allen and Trevor Thomas.

The station was previously owned by [[The Local Radio Company]] before being sold to the owners of Dee 106.3 in June 2009. In January 2017 the station moved into a new studio complex at Adelaide House, Adelaide Street in Macclesfield.

In November 2012, the station was granted a significant transmitter power increase, partly to combat co-channel interference from the [[Heart North and Mid Wales]] transmitter at the [[Moel-y-Parc transmitting station]], also broadcasting on 106.9 MHz FM. The transmitter site at [[Sutton Common BT Tower]] offers a line of sight across the [[Cheshire Plain|Cheshire plain]], meaning the signal can be heard into Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

On 25 May 2023, the station celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching on DAB on the [[South Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Cheshire]] Multiplex. With the transmitter being located on the roof of [[South Cheshire College]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins |first=Steve |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/05/cheshires-silk-radio-celebrates-25-years-on-air-with-dab-launch/ |title=Cheshire’s Silk Radio celebrates 25 years on-air with DAB launch |publisher=Radio Today |date=25 May 2023 |accessdate=25 May 2023}}</ref>

==Community==
The station awards the title School of the Week to schools within its broadcast area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/education-crewe/crewe-education-news/2008/12/10/pupils-raise-voices-and-cash-96135-22440258/|title=Pupils raise voices – and cash|date=10 December 2008|publisher=Crewe Chronicle|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> Perhaps the most important awards it gives are the "Local Hero awards" which have been awarded since the stations inception.<ref name=public>{{cite web|url=http://www.silk1069.com/public_file.html|title=Public File|publisher=Silk FM|accessdate=2010-12-12}}</ref>

The annual [[Cheshire Show]] is one of the highlights in the Silk calendar, of which the station offers extensive coverage.<ref name=public />

==Awards==
In 2008, having been short-listed for the award in the previous year, Silk won Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000) at the [[Sony Radio Awards]].<ref name="howdofruitful">{{cite web|url=http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/fruitful-night-for-north-west-stations-at-sony%92s-200805142574/|title=Fruitful night for North West stations at Sony's|date=14 May 2008|publisher=how-do.co.uk|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> It was again short-listed for the 2009 award.<ref name=howdo>{{cite web|url=http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/silk-fm-gets-another-award-200811264115/|title=Silk FM gets another award|date=26 November 2008 |publisher=how-do.co.uk|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref>

In 2006, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioacademy.org.uk/record.jsp?ID=39&type=optionalPage|title=Nations & Regions Awards 2007|publisher=The Radio Academy |accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> and 2008, Silk was named [[Radio Academy]] North West Station of the Year.<ref name=howdo/>

==Programming==
Some of Silk Radio's programming is produced and broadcast from its [[Macclesfield]] studios. Live programming airs from 6am-7pm on weekdays, 8am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-8pm on Sundays. Other output is automated or networked from Riverside Innovation Centre in [[Chester]] - Chester's Dee Radio.<ref name="Silk 106.9 public file">[http://www.silk1069.com/public-file/ Silk 106.9 public file]</ref>

Silk Radio broadcasts hourly local, and national news bulletins from [[Radio News Hub]].

The station also airs weekly sports programming and Saturday afternoons, including regular coverage of [[Macclesfield FC]] and [[Congleton Town F.C.|Congleton Town]].

==Current Presenters==
Andy Clewes - Weekday Breakfast

Daz Antrobus - Afternoon Show

Sam Walton - Saturday Daytime Show

Mike Peters - Weekend Breakfast

Dave Phillips - Sunday Brunch

Mike Wain - Silk Sport

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.silk1069.com/ Silk Radio Official Website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Silk FM}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

Dee Radio

2025-05-19T02:46:30Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Chester's Dee Radio
| logo = Chester's Dee Radio 2020.png
| city = [[Chester]]
| area = [[Chester]] and [[Flintshire]]
| branding = Chester's Dee Radio
| airdate = 1 March 2003 (20 years ago)
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 106.3 MHz [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 10D
| rds = DEERADIO
| coordinates = {{coord|53.1935|-2.8799|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| format = [[Adult contemporary|AC]]
| owner = Dee Radio Group
| sister_stations = [[Silk 106.9|Cheshire's Silk Radio]]
| website = [https://www.dee1063.com/ dee1063.com]
}}

'''Chester's Dee Radio''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station serving the city of [[Chester]] and surrounding areas.

The station is independent and locally owned and broadcasts from studios at Riverside Innovation Centre.

As of March 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 12,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=RAJAR }}</ref>

== History ==
The station launched, as '''Dee 106.3''', on 1 March 2003 from its original studio premises at Chantry Court, Chester.

In June 2009, the station's owners purchased a neighbouring local radio station, [[Silk 106.9]], based in Macclesfield.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-11 |title=Dee buys Silk FM |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/dee-buys-silk-fm-921507 |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2013, Dee 106.3 launched a second station, '''Dee on DAB''', on the [[MuxCo]] DAB Digital Radio multiplex serving North East Wales and West Cheshire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DAB Ensembles WorldWide {{!}} UK Local & Small-Scale |url=https://www.wohnort.org/dab/ukloc.html#Chester |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=www.wohnort.org}}</ref> This service is now a full-time simulcast of the main Dee Radio service.

In January 2020, the station rebranded as Dee Radio, de-emphasising its FM frequency and reflecting its position on both FM and digital radio platforms.

==Programming==
All of Dee Radio's programming is produced and broadcast from its Chester studios. Live programming airs from 6am to 7pm during weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 10am to 2pm on Sundays. Other output is [[Voice-tracking|voice tracked]] or automated.<ref>[http://www.dee1063.com/public-file/ Dee 106.3 public file]</ref>

The station's presenters include Gavin Matthews, Dave Phillips, Steve Lord, Ruth Anne Pollard, Darren Antrobus and Shane Pinnington.

===News and sport===
Dee Radio broadcasts hourly local news bulletins produced by Radio News Hub from 6am-6pm on weekdays and 10am-2pm at weekends. National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried every hour at all other times.<ref>[http://www.dee1063.com/public-file/ Dee 106.3 public file]</ref>

The station also airs weekly sports programming on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, including regular coverage of [[Chester FC]].

== Transmission ==
Dee Radio broadcasts on a frequency of 106.3 MHz from a transmission site atop the Steam Mill building in Chester city centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=mb21 - The Transmission Gallery |url=https://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=1399 |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=tx.mb21.co.uk}}</ref> The station is also available on DAB Digital Radio via the MuxCo North East Wales and West Cheshire multiplex, which is part-owned by Dee Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-22 |title=Wrexham, Chester and Liverpool {{!}} MuxCo.com - DAB Digital Radio Multiplexes |url=http://www.muxco.com/multiplexes/wrexham-chester-and-liverpool/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Chester]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Cheshire|Dee]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 2003]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

{{UK-radio-station-stub}}

Tay FM

2025-05-19T02:45:51Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Tay FM
| logo = Tay FM logo 2015.png
| logo_size = 200px
| image =
| image_size = 80px
| city = [[Dundee]] and [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]
| area = [[Tayside]] and [[Fife]]
| branding = ''Across Tayside and Fife''
| airdate = 9 January 1995 (30 years ago)
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 102.8 MHz (Dundee) 96.4 MHz (Perth) [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11B
| rds = TAYFM
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| power =
| erp =
| class =
| callsign_meaning =
| network = [[Hits Radio]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| operator =
| sister_stations = [[Greatest Hits Radio Tayside & Fife]]
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/tay/play/ Rayo]
| website = [http://hellorayo.co.uk/tay/ Tay FM]
| coordinates =
}}
'''Tay FM''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station serving [[Dundee]], [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] and [[Tayside]] in [[Scotland]]. The station is owned by and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] and forms part of the [[Hits Radio]] network.

As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 116,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php|title=RAJAR }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Tay FM 2013 Logo.png|thumb|200px|Tay FM logo used from 2010 to 2015.]]
[[Radio Tay]] commenced broadcasting on 17 October 1980 in Dundee and 14 November 1980 in Perth from studios at 6 North Isla Street in Dundee, near the city's Tannadice & Dens Park football stadia. The station originally broadcast each day from 6am to 8pm.

On 9 January 1995, the station split its frequencies into two to become Tay FM and Tay AM.

Both stations now also broadcast on DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting – i.e. Digital Radio) and via their respective websites.

Tay FM broadcasts on a main transmitter in Angus on 102.8 MHz, with relays on 96.4 MHz in Perth and on the same frequency at the Tay Bridge. It is the more contemporary of the two stations.

==Programming==
Networked programming is produced and broadcast from [[Clyde 1]] in [[Clydebank]], [[Forth 1]] in [[Edinburgh]] and [[Hits Radio]] in London & Manchester.

The remaining local programming which consisted of just weekday breakfast was axed in December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=MFR, Tay FM and Northsound 1 breakfast shows to end |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6k9w5wpe1o |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/11/forth-1-northsound-1-mfr-and-tay-fm-to-share-breakfast-as-boogie-in-the-morning-expands/ Forth 1, Northsound 1, MFR and Tay FM to share breakfast as Boogie in the Morning expands], Roy Martin, Radio Today, 13 November 2024</ref>

===News===
Tay FM broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm at weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside sport and traffic bulletins.

National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried overnight with bespoke networked Scottish bulletins at weekends, produced from [[Radio Clyde]]'s newsroom in Clydebank.

== See also ==
* [[Tay 2]]
* [[Radio Tay]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://planetradio.co.uk/tay/
}}

{{Hits Radio}}
{{Dundee}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

{{coord |56|28|24|N|2|58|16|W|type:landmark_region:GB-DND|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tay Fm}}
[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Hits Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Dundee]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1995]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

{{Scotland-radio-station-stub}}

Planet Rock (radio station)

2025-05-19T02:45:15Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Planet Rock
| logo = Planet Rock Logo UK.svg
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11A [[Sound Digital]] 12A (Switch London) }}
| former_frequencies = 105.2 FM (West Midlands only)
| city = London
| area = United Kingdom
| airdate = {{start date and age|1999|11|15|df=y}}
| format = [[Classic rock|Classic]]/[[hard rock|heavy rock]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| sister_stations = [[Absolute Radio Classic Rock]] [[Kerrang Radio|Kerrang! Radio]]
| coordinates =
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/play/ Rayo]
| website = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/ Planet Rock]
}}

'''Planet Rock''' is a British digital radio station and network owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]. The station broadcasts [[classic rock]] music.

As of December 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 956,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==Overview==
The station was established in 1999, initially run by the [[GWR Group]] as part of the launch lineup of [[Digital One]] stations. Ahead of GCap's purchase by [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]], the station was sold to Malcolm Bluemel's 'Rock Show' consortium in 2008, and from there was sold on to become part of [[Bauer Radio]]’s portfolio of brands in 2013.

Planet Rock is a digital-only service, transmitting on the DAB network (and through digital TV and online platforms). It is available nationally Online, and to some locations via [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]].

On 1 March 2016, Planet Rock ceased on national DAB, transferring to the part-national [[Sound Digital]] multiplex, losing transmission in [[Devon]], [[Cornwall]], parts of Scotland, Wales, [[East Anglia]] and other areas of the UK. Some of these areas regained access to the station with the introduction of additional transmitters to the SDL network in autumn 2018.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/10/new-dab-transmitters-now-up-and-running-for-sdl/ RadioToday, 29 Oct 2018]</ref>

==History==
Planet Rock was founded in 1999 as the only [[classic rock]] radio station in the UK at that time.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

On 11 February 2008, the previous owner [[GCap Media]] (now [[Global Group|Global Radio]]), announced that the station would close by 31 March 2008, along with sister station [[theJazz]], unless a buyer was found. According to a statement by former presenter [[Fish (singer)|Fish]], this was not due to the profitability of Planet Rock itself, which had been reported to be good, but rather to GCap's overall financial state. The station's relative popularity on digital radio brought controversy to the closure threat.<ref name="ListeningFigures">{{cite web|url=http://www.planetrock.co.uk/Article.asp?id=565330|title=Planet Rock Rocks Louder Than Ever|access-date=11 February 2008|date=31 January 2008|publisher=Planet Rock}}</ref><ref name="PlannedClosure">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7238444.stm|title=Two GCap digital stations closed|access-date=11 February 2008|date=11 February 2008|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]}}</ref> Although theJazz ceased broadcasting on schedule, a campaign by listeners meant that a number of buyers expressed interest in Planet Rock, including a consortium publicly headed by [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist [[Brian May]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a95482/brian-may-on-mission-to-save-planet-rock.html|title=Brian May on mission to save Planet Rock|date=8 May 2008|access-date=8 May 2008|work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>

On 4 June 2008, the station was sold to a consortium led by [[Malcolm Bluemel]] and supported by [[Tony Iommi]], [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]], [[Gary Moore]], and [[Fish (singer)|Fish]]. There was no break in transmission and the programming remained unchanged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetrock.co.uk/article.asp?id=731764 |title=PLANET ROCK SOLD |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=4 June 2008 |work=Planet Rock Online}}{{dead link |date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 25 September 2012, it was reported that Malcolm Bluemel was looking for a buyer for the station.<ref name="station">{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/09/loss-making-station-planet-rock-for-sale/|title=Loss-making station Planet Rock for sale|access-date=25 September 2012|date=25 September 2012|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref>

On 6 February 2013, the station was sold to [[Bauer Media Group|Bauer Media]] for a deal worth between £1 million and £2 million.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/press/news/article/bauer-media-uk-acquires-planet-rock|title=Bauer Media UK Acquires Planet Rock|publisher=Bauer Media Group|date=6 February 2013|access-date=6 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323110030/http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/press/news/article/bauer-media-uk-acquires-planet-rock|archive-date=23 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 23 May 2013, Bauer Media announced that the output of Planet Rock would become available on FM in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]] on the frequency used by [[Kerrang Radio|Kerrang! Radio]] in Birmingham from 14 June 2013. All programming now comes from London with the Birmingham studios closed and Kerrang! continuing in a different form on digital platforms.

From 8{{nbsp}}am on 7 September 2015, the 105.2 FM frequency was taken over by [[Absolute Radio]].

From 1 March 2016, Planet Rock moved from the Digital One DAB multiplex to the Sound Digital DAB multiplex. [[Devon]], [[Cornwall]], parts of Scotland and Wales and some other areas could not receive Planet Rock on the new multiplex. In late 2017/early 2018, new transmitters started at Pontop Pike and Ely, which widened the listening area of stations broadcasting via the Sound Digital ensemble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tx.mb21.co.uk/mapsys/google/stationmap-new.php?stid=651&svtid=8|title=mb21 - Transmitter Information - Sound Digital|website=tx.mb21.co.uk}}</ref> On 16 October 2023, Planet Rock converted to the DAB+ format, along with several other Bauer stations on SDL; this allowed Planet Rock to broadcast in stereo on digital radio again after a decade in mono, and freed up capacity which allowed sibling stations including [[Absolute Classic Rock]] and [[Kerrang! Radio]] to join the national lineup. A mono broadcast of Planet Rock was added to local DAB in certain areas at the same time, for the benefit of users of older receivers not compatible with DAB+.

It promotes and runs its own events, notably 'Rockstock', an indoor rock festival. In 2017, Planet Rock launched its own magazine, also called ''Planet Rock'', as a replacement for ''[[Kerrang!]]'' in Bauer's portfolio of music magazines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planet Rock to launch magazine |url=https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/planet-rock-to-launch-magazine/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Q magazine could close as result of COVID-19 prompted review at Bauer Media |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/q-magazine-could-close-as-result-of-covid-19-prompted-review-at-bauer-media/}}</ref> The magazine was edited by Paul Brannigan and was published once every two months until 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/planet-rock-magazine-to-close-q-could-survive-under-new-ownership/|title = Planet Rock magazine to close, Q could survive under new ownership | Complete Music Update}}</ref> when it was decided that a number of titles (such as ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'') would be sold on to other publishers, with ''Planet Rock'' magazine closing so the brand could be kept by Bauer for the radio station.

On 13 December 2023, Planet Rock was removed from [[Freesat]], [[Sky UK|Sky]] and [[Virgin Media]], along with every other radio station owned by Bauer Media on either of the three platforms, including [[Absolute Radio]], [[Absolute Radio 80s]], [[Absolute Radio 90s]], [[Absolute Radio Classic Rock]], [[Hits Radio]], [[Greatest Hits Radio]], [[Kiss (UK radio station)|Kiss]], [[Magic (UK radio station)|Magic]] and [[Jazz FM (UK)|Jazz FM]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/11/bauer-to-remove-all-radio-stations-from-satellite-and-cable-tv-platforms/|title = Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms|date = 28 November 2023}}</ref>

==Notable presenters==
Since 2006 Planet Rock has featured a number of rock star presenters, who have either fronted limited-run series or hosted long running weekly or monthly shows.

The syndicated [[Alice Cooper]] radio show was edited in the UK for a breakfast audience as the ''Breakfast With Alice Cooper'' show, which ran in the 6{{snd}}9{{nbsp}}am slot until 17 January 2011 when his show became ''Nights With Alice Cooper''. With the cessation of the syndicated Alice Cooper programme in September 2023, Planet Rock replaced it with UK-produced shows hosted by Ian Danter and Jen Thomas.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/09/jen-thomas-and-ian-danter-get-shows-on-planet-rock/ RadioToday, 2023-09-25]</ref>

Presenters include [[Def Leppard]] singer [[Joe Elliott]], who has presented a weekly Saturday evening show at 5{{nbsp}}pm since June 2010; [[Thunder (band)|Thunder]] singer [[Danny Bowes]] presents a weekly show every Sunday from 10{{nbsp}}am - 12{{nbsp}}pm; [[Duff McKagan]] of [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Susan Holmes|Susan Holmes McKagan]], who present a weekly show on Saturdays at 7{{nbsp}}pm; and former [[Little Angels]] and current [[Wayward Sons (band)|Wayward Sons]] frontman [[Toby Jepson]] on Sunday afternoons from 5 - 7{{nbsp}}pm.<ref>{{cite web| title= Toby Jepson: Presenter Biography| url=
https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/presenters/toby-jepson/ |website= Planet Radio }}</ref>

Other presenters who have hosted shows on Planet Rock include: [[Rick Wakeman]] hosted a Saturday morning show for five years until December 2010; [[Gary Moore]] hosted the ''Blues Power'' series in 2008; [[Black Sabbath]]'s [[Tony Iommi]] presented two series of ''Black Sunday'' for the station; [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] singer [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]] presented a series called ''Under The Influence''; [[Roxy Music]] guitarist [[Phil Manzanera]] presented two series for the station in 2007 and 2009 which looked at influential guitar players and guitar playing styles; Former [[Marillion]] frontman [[Fish (singer)|Fish]] hosted two series of ''Fish On Fridays''; [[Thin Lizzy]] guitarist [[Scott Gorham]] hosted one series which aired in 2010; [[Europe (band)|Europe]] singer [[Joey Tempest]] hosted a series on Sunday evenings until early 2011; [[Francis Rossi]] of [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] hosted a thirteen-part series until June 2011; [[Al Murray]] hosted on Sunday mornings until 2015; and the [[Hairy Bikers]]' ''Hairy Rock Show'' ran on Sundays from 2015 - 2020.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Rock music|Blues|Radio}}
* {{official website|https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/}}
{{Coord|51.512248|-0.136937|display=title}}
{{Bauer Media Group}}
{{Bauer Radio}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
{{West Midlands radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Planet Rock (Radio Station)}}
[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rock radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1999]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Digital-only radio stations]]

Northsound 1

2025-05-19T02:44:12Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|Radio station in Aberdeen, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Northsound 1
| logo = Northsound 1 logo 2015.png
| logo_size = 200px
| image =
| image_size = 80px
| city = [[Aberdeen]]
| area = [[Aberdeenshire]]
| branding = ''Across North East Scotland''
| airdate = {{plainlist|
*{{Start date and age|1981|7|27|df=y}} (as Northsound Radio)
*{{Start date and age|1995|1|9|df=y}} (as Northsound 1)}}
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 96.9 MHz 97.6 MHz 103.0 MHz [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11C
| former_frequencies = 1035 MW
| rds = N'Sound1
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| network = [[Hits Radio]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| sister_stations = [[Northsound 2|Greatest Hits Radio North East Scotland]]
| webcast = [https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/play/ Rayo]
| website = [https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/ Northsound 1]
| coordinates =
}}

'''Northsound 1''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Aberdeen]], Scotland, owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] network. It broadcasts to [[Aberdeenshire]] and [[North East Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|North East Scotland]].

As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 117,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].

==History==
[[File:Northsound 1 Logo.png|thumb|Northsound 1 logo used from 2003 to 2015.]]
Until Northsound Radio's establishment, the only local radio output available to listeners in the North East of Scotland was a regional opt-out from the [[BBC]] at Beechgrove, which broadcast specialist music programmes for a couple of hours a week along with some opt-out regional news coverage. When a commercial radio franchise for Aberdeen, Peterhead and the surrounding areas was advertised by the then-regulator, the [[Independent Broadcasting Authority]], a group of local businessmen applied under the consortium of ''North of Scotland Radio Ltd'' and won the franchise.

After a change of name, ''Northsound Radio'' commenced broadcasting at 6{{nbsp}}am on 27 July 1981 from its original studios in an old schoolhouse on Kings Gate, near Anderson Drive in the city. Originally, the station was broadcast from 6{{nbsp}}am to 8{{nbsp}}pm each day on 1035 kHz (290 metres) and 96.9 FM (VHF).

For a two-year period from 1994, the station was the main sponsor of [[Aberdeen Football Club]], with the logo appearing on the players' shirts.<ref>[https://www.afc.co.uk/2017/06/26/the-history-of-the-blue-kit/ The history of the blue kit], [[Aberdeen Football Club]], 27 June 2017 </ref>

On 9 January 1995,<ref>{{Cite news |work=Scotland on Sunday |date=8 January 1995 |title=Radio Preview}}</ref> Northsound Radio was renamed Northsound 1 and [[Northsound 2]] was established as a [[classic hits]] station using the station's AM frequency. Both stations have since started broadcasting on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB radio]] and online.

=== Free concerts ===
From 1997 until 2007, Northsound held free music concerts in [[Aberdeen]] almost bi-annually. Northsound delivered its first major outdoor event when the Tall Ships arrived in Aberdeen, which called ''Free at the Quay''. Following its success, ''Free 2000'' was staged at the [[Queens Links|Queen’s Links]] at Aberdeen Beach followed by ''Free at the Dee'' at [[Duthie Park]].

Due to the numbers attending, Northsound decided to move the event to [[Hazlehead Park]] and the event was renamed to simply ''Free 2007''. More than 30,000 people attended ''Free 2007'' which saw [[Beverley Knight]], [[McFly]], [[Shayne Ward]], [[Booty Luv]], [[The MacDonald Brothers|MacDonald Brothers]], [[Ali Love]], [[Unklejam]] and others perform free.

Northsound has also been sponsors and organisers of Aberdeen's free Hogmanay street party when they were staged in the city, where performers such as [[Sandi Thom]], [[Travis (band)|Travis]] and [[Amy MacDonald (singer)|Amy MacDonald]] have played to large crowds.

==Ownership==
Northsound Radio was bought over by [[Radio Clyde]] in 1988, which changed the name of its parent company to [[Scottish Radio Holdings]] (SRH) in 1994.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1079487.stm] SRH was bought by [[Ascential|Emap]] in 2005, which then sold its radio stations to [[Bauer Media Audio UK|Bauer Media Group]] in 2007.

==Programming==
The entirety of the station's programming, apart from one weekend show, is networked; produced and broadcast from [[Clyde 1]] in [[Clydebank]], [[Forth 1]] in [[Edinburgh]] and [[Hits Radio]] in London & Manchester.

The last remaining local programming strand which consisted of just weekday breakfast was axed in December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=MFR, Tay FM and Northsound 1 breakfast shows to end |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6k9w5wpe1o |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/11/forth-1-northsound-1-mfr-and-tay-fm-to-share-breakfast-as-boogie-in-the-morning-expands/ Forth 1, Northsound 1, MFR and Tay FM to share breakfast as Boogie in the Morning expands], Roy Martin, Radio Today, 13 November 2024</ref>

===News and sport===
Northsound 1 broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm at weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside sport, traffic and business bulletins.

National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried overnight with networked Scottish bulletins at weekends, produced from [[Radio Clyde]]'s newsroom in Clydebank.

Extended sports coverage airs under the ''Superscoreboard'' banner on Saturday afternoons.

==Notable DJs ==

*[[Nicky Campbell]] - now a [[BBC]] journalist and television presenter.<ref>{{citation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/nowyouretalking/3529311.stm |title=BBC NEWS, programmes, now you're talking, Nicky Campbell |publisher=BBC |work=BBC News|accessdate=17 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/14/nicky-campbell-5-live-25-years |title=Nicky Campbell interview: 'Up north? For me, this is down south' |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |accessdate=17 February 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 October 2012}}</ref><ref name=Herald>
{{citation |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/ken-smiths-diary/point-of-law-the-diary-8-april-2010-1.1019113 |title=Point of law - The Diary, 8 April 2010 |newspaper=The Herald Scotland |accessdate=17 February 2015 |date=8 April 2010}}
</ref>
*[[Alan_Fisher_(broadcast_journalist)|Alan Fisher]] - worked at the station as a reporter/newsreader and is now a senior correspondent with the global news channel, Al Jazeera English based in the United States.{{r|Herald}}
*[[Robin Galloway]] - later became a continuity announcer and newsreader for [[Grampian Television]]. He would later present the breakfast show on Pure Radio in Glasgow & Tayside.

== See also ==
* [[Greatest Hits Radio North East Scotland]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/ Northsound 1]

{{Hits Radio}}
{{Aberdeen radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

{{coord|57.1249|-2.0993|region:GB|display=title}}

[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Hits Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Aberdeen]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1981]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

MFR (radio station)

2025-05-19T02:43:30Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|British radio station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = MFR
| logo = MFR_logo_2015.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_alt = Your MFR logo (circa 2015)
| image_size = 80px
| city = [[Inverness]]
| country = UK
| area = [[Moray]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], north-west [[Aberdeenshire]]
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: {{Frequency|96.6|[[MHz]]}} (Speyside) {{Frequency|96.7|[[MHz]]}} (Fraserburgh) {{Frequency|96.7|[[MHz]]}} (Wick) 
{{Frequency|97.4|[[MHz]]}} (Inverness) {{Frequency|102.5|[[MHz]]}} (Caithness) {{Frequency|102.8|[[MHz]]}} (Keith) [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11B
| rds = MFR
| branding = ''Across The North of Scotland''
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| network = [[Hits Radio]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| sister_stations = [[MFR 2|Greatest Hits Radio The North of Scotland]]
| airdate = {{start date|1982|02|23|df=y}} (42 years ago)
| former_frequencies = 1107 [[kHz]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/mfr/play/ Rayo]
| website = {{URL|https://hellorayo.co.uk/mfr/}}
}}
'''MFR''' ('''Moray Firth Radio'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Licensing: Moray Firth Radio FM |url=https://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/html/radio-stations/analogue/al000057ba5morayfirthradiofm.htm?lang=cy |website=Ofcom |date=2024}}</ref>) is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Inverness]], owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] Network. It broadcasts to [[Moray]], [[Scottish Highlands]] and [[Aberdeenshire|North West Aberdeenshire]].

As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 91,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==Station information==
[[File:MFR Logo 2013.png|thumb|200px|MFR/Moray Firth Radio logo used from 2001 to 2015.]]
MFR operates 97.4 FM (from the [[Mounteagle transmitting station|Mounteagle]] transmitter). The first voice heard on MFR, shortly after 6:30am on 23 February 1982, was Dave Cochrane. The longest serving presenter on MFR of 33 years was Tich McCooey, leaving on 29 May 2015.

MFR on FM largely broadcasts contemporary and chart music-led programming alongside hourly news bulletins and peak-time traffic updates. The majority of the station's output is produced and broadcast from its Inverness studios. In recent years, MFR opted out on Saturday evenings for a weekly bilingual music programme in English and Scots Gaelic,<ref>[http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/09/moray-firth-radio-takes-gaelic-chart-show/ Moray Firth Radio takes Gaelic Chart Show], Radio Today, 20 September 2011</ref> which also aired on Argyll FM, [[Cuillin FM]], [[Isles FM]], [[Nevis Radio]] and [[Two Lochs Radio]].

==History==
{{Missing information|section|the station's history|date=December 2024}}
The station began broadcasting on 23 February 1982.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tbdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yaUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6477%2C3861603 |title=Highland radio station goes live |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |date=22 February 1982 |page=5 |accessdate=4 July 2016}}</ref> A year later, the station was making a profit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2sNAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8KUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5522%2C4826463 |title=Profit in the air for local radio |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=23 February 1983 |page=6 |accessdate=28 January 2017}}</ref>

MFR 2 on AM and DAB aired specialist programming until August 2014{{Clarify timeframe|date=December 2024}} on Sunday - Friday evenings with automated music broadcast at all other times. In September 2014, the station axed its specialist output and began carrying programming from Bauer's 'Greatest Hits Network' of Scottish AM stations, switching to the Bauer City 2 network in January 2015. Since January 2019 it is part of the [[Greatest Hits Radio]] network and changed its name to the network name in April 2023.

MFR 3 launched on Monday 19 January 2015, broadcasting on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] and online as a locally branded relay of The Hits aimed at 15-25-year-olds, with opt-outs for advertising.<ref>[http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/2015/01/bauer-city-network-3-launches-on-local-dab/ Bauer City Network 3 launches on local DAB] Radio Today, 19 January 2015</ref> MFR 3 ceased broadcasting on 31 August 2017 and was replaced with a single national feed of The Hits, which was replaced ten months later with [[Hits Radio]].

In addition to the main services, there is a local community station which opts into MFR during the daytime, broadcasting local programming produced by a non-profit community group during the evenings.

* Caithness FM ([[Caithness]]), used to use 102.5 FM from MFR but now broadcasts under its own licence on 106.5 FM.

There also used to be five other community stations taking MFR:

* KCR 107.7FM ([[Keith, Moray|Keith]], Moray), formerly known as Keith Community Radio, used to use 102.8 FM from MFR during evenings but now broadcasts under its own licence 24/7 on 107.7 FM.
* SpeySound Radio ([[Aviemore]]), used to use 96.6 FM from MFR during evenings but now broadcasts under its own licence 24/7 on 107.1 FM.
* Kinnaird Radio ([[Fraserburgh]]), used to use 96.7 FM from MFR during evenings but has now ceased broadcasting.
* Oban FM ([[Oban]]) used to use 101.2 FM from MFR during their [[Restricted Service Licence|RSL]] period in October 1992<ref>{{Cite web |title=news archive (subscription required) |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19921106/903/0047 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> where MFR was broadcast on 101.2 FM in [[Oban]] in the early morning, afternoon and overnight hours, where both MFR and Oban FM carried London-based sustaining service [[Supergold]] concurrently through the night, From August 1994, [[Oban]]'s community radio station no longer relayed MFR as a sustaining service, instead they opt to broadcast [[Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West]] from [[Glasgow]] during their non-broadcasting hours from this point onwards until the station ceased broadcasting on 6th July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oban-org.co.uk/obanfm/obanfm.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990508053244/http://www.oban-org.co.uk/obanfm/obanfm.htm|archive-date=8 May 1999|title=Oban FM - community Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=newspaper archive (subscription required) |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005085/19921001/334/0009 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref>
* Nevis Radio ([[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]]) used to carry MFR as their sustaining service up until mid 2000's providing news & overnight service. MFR was broadcast over Nevis Radio's 4 frequencies, 96.6, 97.0, 102.3 & 102.4 FM
AM transmissions on 1107 kHz ceased on 11th December 2023, greatly reducing the broadcast coverage area, from the whole of the North of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, down to just the vicinity of Inverness.

==Programming==
Networked programming originates from [[Clyde 1]] in [[Clydebank]], [[Forth 1]] in [[Edinburgh]] and [[Hits Radio]] in [[London]] and [[Manchester]].

The station's last regular local programme - the weekday breakfast show with Jodie McCluskey - ended on Friday 29 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=MFR legend Tich McCooey signs off with thanks to listeners and no bitterness over changes to station owner Bauer |url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/mfr-legend-tich-mccooey-signs-off-with-thanks-to-listeners-a-367599/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Inverness Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref>

From 6 January 2025, MFR will simulcast ''Boogie in the Morning'' from Forth 1, along with Northsound 1 and Tay FM. Local news, travel updates and advertising are not affected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=MFR, Tay FM and Northsound 1 breakfast shows to end |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6k9w5wpe1o |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===News ===
MFR broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Headlines are broadcast on the half hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside sport and traffic bulletins.

National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried overnight with bespoke networked Scottish bulletins at weekends, produced from [[Radio Clyde]]'s newsroom in Clydebank.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://planetradio.co.uk/mfr/ MFR]

{{Greatest Hits Radio}}
{{Hits Radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

{{Coord|57.4803|N|4.2550|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Hits Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland|Moray]]
[[Category:Mass media in Inverness]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1982]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

Forth 1

2025-05-19T02:33:30Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Radio station in Edinburgh, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Forth 1 logo 2015.png
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2015.
| image =
| city = Edinburgh
| country = UK
| area = [[Edinburgh]], [[Lothian]], [[Fife]] and [[Falkirk]]
| branding = ''Across Edinburgh, The Lothians, Fife and Falkirk''
| airdate = {{start date|1975|1|22|df=yes}} (50 years ago)
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 102.2 MHz FM: 97.3 MHz FM: 97.6 MHz [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12D
| rds = FORTH1
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| network = [[Hits Radio]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| operator =
| sister_stations = [[Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife]]
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/forth/play/ Rayo]
| website = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/forth/ Forth 1]
| name = Forth 1
| coordinates =
}}

'''Forth 1''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in Edinburgh, Scotland, owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] network. It broadcasts to [[Edinburgh]], [[Lothian]], [[Fife]] and [[Falkirk]].

As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 383,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Forth_One_Logo_2013.png|thumb|200px|Forth 1 logo used from 2013 to 2015.]]
[[Radio Forth]] was launched on 22 January 1975 by current chairman Richard Findlay. His opening speech included "This, for the very first time is Radio Forth". Steve Hamilton was the first on-air presenter, hosting the breakfast show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/radio-mogul-findlay-adds-loss-making-original-106-to-his-stable-1-774310|title=Radio mogul Findlay adds loss-making Original 106 to his stable|work=scotsman.com|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>

In 1990, Forth was forced to create a new station on its AM frequency. Before this, Radio Forth was broadcast as a single station on both FM and AM frequencies. The FM station was renamed Radio Forth RFM (later simplified to Forth FM) with Donny Hughes broadcasting the first Breakfast Show from the newly revamped Studio F in Forth House. The new AM station became "Max AM" which was later renamed ''Forth AM'' to match its sister station.

In 2000, both stations were relaunched as ''97.3 Forth One'' and ''[[Forth 2|1548 Forth 2]]''. Forth 2 was redesigned as an adult contemporary music station while Forth One continued to play Top 40 songs for the 35s and under.

Radio Forth was owned by Scottish Radio Holdings until 3 June 2005 when British media group [[EMAP]] took over. In January 2008, EMAP Radio was sold to Bauer and the radio division was renamed [[Bauer Radio]]. Ownership changes have led to more networked programming on the station.

On Friday 17 June 2022, Forth 1 broadcast from their studios at Forth House for the final time. During the breakfast show at 7.45 the station played a farewell montage before walking to their new studios at [[St James Quarter]] where the first link was broadcast just after 8am.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-18 |title=Forth 1 breakfast show team walk to their new Edinburgh radio home |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/06/forth-1-breakfast-show-team-walk-to-their-new-edinburgh-radio-home/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref> The first song played from the new studios was 'New Emotion' by [[The Time Frequency]].

On 6 January 2025, Forth 1’s breakfast show expanded, replacing MFR, Northsound 1 and Tay FM’s separate local breakfast shows.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/11/forth-1-northsound-1-mfr-and-tay-fm-to-share-breakfast-as-boogie-in-the-morning-expands/ Forth 1, Northsound 1, MFR and Tay FM to share breakfast as Boogie in the Morning expands], Roy Martin, Radio Today, 13 November 2024</ref>

==Programming==
Local programming 'Boogie in the Morning' is produced and broadcast from Radio Forth's Edinburgh studios based within [[St James Quarter]] shopping centre from 6am-10am Monday-Friday. The station also produces networked programming on Saturday mornings - ''Boogie and Arlene, also The Big Saturday Football Show with Steven Mill & Ewen Cameron''

Forth 1 also airs networked programming from [[Clyde 1]] in [[Glasgow]] and [[Hits Radio]] in London & Manchester.
[[File:StJamesQuarterInterior.jpg|thumb|Forth 1 and sister station Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife, broadcast from studios in [[St James Quarter]] in Edinburgh city centre, since 2022]]

===News ===
Forth 1 broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm at weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside sport and traffic bulletins.

National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried overnight with bespoke networked Scottish bulletins at weekends, produced from [[Radio Clyde]]'s newsroom in Clydebank.

==See also==
* [[Radio Forth]]
* [[Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://planetradio.co.uk/forth/ Forth 1]

{{coord|55|57|28|N|3|11|12|W|region:GB|display=title}}
{{Hits Radio}}
{{Edinburgh radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Hits Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1975]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

Cool FM

2025-05-19T02:32:22Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|Radio station in Belfast, Northern Ireland}}
{{for multi|the Winnipeg radio station|CJZZ-FM|the Nigerian station|Cool FM Nigeria}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Cool FM
| logo = Cool FM Logo 2013.png
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[Newtownards]]
| area = [[Northern Ireland]]
| airdate = {{start date and age|1990|02|07|df=y}}
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12D [[Bauer Radio|Bauer]] Northern Ireland|[[FM broadcasting|FM]]: {{frequency|97.4|MHz}} [[Black Mountain transmitting station|Greater Belfast]]}}
| rds = COOL FM
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| network = [[Hits Radio]] (for sales purposes)
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[Downtown Radio]]|Downtown Country}}
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/cool-fm/play/ Rayo]
| website = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/cool-fm/ Cool FM]
}}

'''Cool FM''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Newtownards]], Northern Ireland. The station is owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK|Bauer]] and forms part of Bauer's [[Hits Radio Network]].

The station began broadcasting in 1990 when its parent station [[Downtown Radio]] ceased [[simulcasting]] and split its [[AM broadcasting|AM]] and [[FM broadcasting|FM]] frequencies into two separate services. [[Downtown Radio]] continued on {{frequency|1026|kHz}} AM and FM frequencies outside Belfast{{endash}}and Cool FM was created to broadcast on {{frequency|97.4|MHz}}. Initially broadcasting to the [[Greater Belfast]] area only, Cool FM can now be received across Northern Ireland on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]].

As of December 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 471,000, according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php | title=RAJAR }}</ref>

==Programming==
Cool FM plays a broad mix of popular, youth-orientated pop and dance music. Some of the stations most popular shows are ''[[Pete Snodden]] in the Morning'' with Pete, Paulo and Rebeeca and the ''Cool Saturday Show'' with [[Stuart Robinson (broadcaster)|Stuart Robinson]] and Deputy Dave. Cool FM features some specialised music such as ''Cool of Rock'' on weekday mornings, classic hits in ''The Cool Years'' on Sunday afternoons and ''Cool Goes Quiet'', love songs on Sunday{{endash}}Thursday nights.

Although station owner, [[Bauer Radio]], packages Cool FM as part of the [[Hits Radio Network]] for selling advertising, Cool FM does not broadcast any Hits Radio networked programmes. All of Cool FM shows are locally presented and produced from its Newtownards studios.

Local news bulletins air on the hour between 06:00 and 22:00 every day. On weekdays, there are extended bulletins at 13:00 and 17:00 and headlines on the half hour during breakfast and drivetime.

==Presenters==

*Paul Kennedy (1995–present)
*[[Pete Snodden]] (2000–present)
*[[DJ Hix]] (2007–present)
*[[Stuart Robinson (broadcaster)|Stuart Robinson]] (2010–present)
*Paulo Ross (2014–present)
*John Kearns (1990–1995, 2014-present)
*Owen Beers (2014–present)
*Rebecca McKinney (2015–present)
*Deputy Dave (2015–present)
*Melissa Riddell (2016–present)
*Curtis McCosh (2016–present)
*Katharine Walker (2019–present)
*Evanna Maxted (2021–present)
*Ryan A (2010–2014, 2022-present)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Bauer}}
{{Northern Ireland radio|97.4}}
{{Radio in Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord missing|County Down}}

[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Mass media in County Down]]
[[Category:Newtownards]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1990]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

{{UK-radio-station-stub}}
{{NorthernIreland-media-stub}}

Clyde 1

2025-05-19T02:31:50Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Scottish independent local radio station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Clyde 1
| logo = Clyde 1 logo 2015.png
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2015.
| image =
| image_size = 80px
| city = [[Glasgow]]
| country = UK
| area = Glasgow, West Central Scotland and Ayrshire (Clyde 1 Ayrshire)
| branding = ''Across Glasgow & The West''
"The Biggest Hits, The Biggest Throwbacks"
| airdate = {{start date and age|31 December 1973}}
| former_frequencies = FM: 95.1 MHz [[AM broadcasting|AM]]: 1152 kHz
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]:
 97.0MHz 102.3MHz 102.5MHz 103.3MHz [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11C
| rds = Clyde 1
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/pop]]
| operator =
| sister_stations = [[Clyde 1 (Ayrshire)]] [[Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West]]
| network = [[Hits Radio]]
| owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/clyde/play/ Rayo]
| website = [http://hellorayo.co.uk/clyde/ Clyde 1]
}}

'''Clyde 1''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Glasgow]], Scotland, owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] network. It broadcasts to Glasgow and [[West Central Scotland]].

As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 747,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

== History ==
{{For|the station's history prior to taking its current form|Radio Clyde}}

Clyde 1 was born out of the compulsory transmission splitting enforced by the UK regulators in the 1990s, developing the FM frequency into Radio Clyde into a Top-40 format radio station.

The development of live-streaming and digital radio led to a widening of the station's potential audience through carriage on the [https://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/ station's website] and [[Bauer Radio]]'s DAB multiplex in Glasgow.

The station's Freeview carriage came as a consequence of the closure of stable-mate [[3C (radio)|3C]] by the station's then-owners, and resulted in UK-wide coverage until it was removed on 30 October 2008.

==Events==
Clyde 1 used to hold an event called ''Clyde 1 Live'' at the [[SEC Centre|SECC]] in [[Glasgow]].
The event included some of the many artists which are broadcast on the station, past events have featured [[Calvin Harris]], [[Labrinth]], [[Jessie J]], [[Olly Murs]], [[The Sugababes]], [[Amelia Lily]], [[Pixie Lott]], [[Mcfly]], [[Lawson (band)|Lawson]], [[Cover Drive]], [[Matt Cardle]], [[Gary Barlow]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Gary Barlow joins the line-up for Clyde 1 Live in Glasgow|url=http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/245862-gary-barlow-joins-the-line-up-for-clyde-1-live-in-glasgow/|publisher=STV News}}</ref> [[John Newman (singer)|John Newman]], [[The Vamps (British band)|The Vamps]] and also [[Dappy]].

On 5 February 2024, it was announced that ''Clyde 1 Live'' would return to celebrate the station's 50th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glasgowworld.com/whats-on/music/ovo-hydro-set-to-host-huge-clyde-1-50th-anniversary-celebrations-this-year-4504858|title=OVO Hydro set to host huge Clyde 1 50th anniversary celebrations this year|date=5 February 2024|website=GlasgowWorld}}</ref> This event took place on 31 May 2024 at the [[OVO Hydro]], with 12,500 people in attendance. Clyde 1 presenter George Bowie performed one of his GBX sets, with fellow presenters Cassi Gillespie and Callum Gallacher performing DJ sets as well. Acts included [[Texas (band)|Texas]], [[Tom Walker (singer)|Tom Walker]], [[Amy Macdonald]], [[Emeli Sandé]], [[Callum Beattie]] and [[Nathan Evans (singer)|Nathan Evans]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/clyde/local/feature/clyde-1-celebrates-first-50-years/|title=CLYDE 1 CELEBRATED FIRST 50 YEARS! | Feature - Clyde 1}}</ref>

==Programming==
The majority of programming - local and networked - is produced and broadcast from Radio Clyde's studios in [[Clydebank]], however some networked output originates from [[Forth 1]] in Edinburgh, [[Tay FM]] in Dundee and sister station [[Hits Radio]] in Manchester. The station also opts out of some networked output to broadcast additional local programming, including sports coverage and specialist music shows.

The station's local presenters include George Bowie (''Bowie at Breakfast''/''The GB Xperience''), Garry Spence, Grant Thomson, Steven Mill and Cassi Gillespie (''Bowie at Breakfast'').<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/presenters/|title=Clyde 1 Presenters | A-Z of Presenter Biographies - Clyde 1}}</ref>

===News and sport===
Clyde 1 broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6a.m. to 7p.m. on weekdays and from 7a.m. to 1p.m. at weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside sport and traffic bulletins.

The Clydebank newsroom also produces bespoke national Scottish bulletins at weekends with [[Sky News Radio]] bulletins carried overnight. Radio Clyde's head of news and sport is Lorraine Herbison, who is also Bauer's head of news for its Scottish stations.

Sports coverage airs under the ''Superscoreboard'' banner and includes live match reports during the season and a magazine show on weekday evenings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clyde1.com/superscoreboard/|title=Clyde 1 Superscoreboard with William Hill|website=Clyde 1}}</ref> It is presented by Gordon Duncan and features regular panellists [[Hugh Keevins]] and [[Gordon Dalziel]].

==See also==
* [[Radio Clyde]]
* [[Clyde 2|Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/ Clyde 1]

{{Hits Radio}}
{{Glasgow radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}

{{Coord|55.9040|-4.4077|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}

[[Category:Bauer Radio]]
[[Category:Hits Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Glasgow]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1973]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

Absolute Radio 80s

2025-05-19T02:26:58Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2016}}
{{Coord|51.512248|-0.136937|display=title}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Absolute Radio 80s
| logo = AbsoluteRadio80s.png
| area = United Kingdom
| branding = ''Absolute 80s''
| airdate = {{start date|2009|12|06|df=y}}
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB+]]: 11A [[Sound Digital]] (UK)}}
| format = [[1980s in music|1980s rock/pop]]
| network = [[Absolute Radio Network]]
| owner = [[Bauer Radio]]
| sister_stations = {{ubl|[[Absolute Radio]]|[[Absolute Radio 60s]]|[[Absolute Radio 70s]]|[[Absolute Radio 90s]]|[[Absolute Radio 00s]]|[[Absolute Radio 10s]]|[[Absolute Radio 20s]]|[[Absolute Radio Classic Rock]]|[[Absolute Radio Country]]}}
| webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/absolute-80s/play/ Rayo]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| city = London
| coordinates =
}}{{Redirect|Virgin Radio Xtreme|the older station from 2005 to 2008|Absolute Xtreme}}
'''Absolute Radio 80s''' (known on-air as '''Absolute 80s''') is a national digital radio station, owned and operated by [[Bauer Radio|Bauer]] as part of the [[Absolute Radio Network]]. Its main output is non-stop 1980s hits.

==History==
Absolute Radio 80s launched at 7.00{{nbsp}}pm on 4 December 2009, replacing [[Absolute Xtreme]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/3990-absolute-80s-to-launch-tomorrow|title=Absolute 80s to launch tomorrow|publisher=The Airwaves|date=2009-12-03|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724095912/http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/3990-absolute-80s-to-launch-tomorrow|archivedate=2011-07-24}}</ref>

The marketing plan for Absolute 80s started with targeted sampling at 80s events such as [[Madness (band)|Madness]], [[Pet Shop Boys]] and [[Depeche Mode]] at the [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]], [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]] at the [[National Exhibition Centre|NEC Birmingham]] and [[Simple Minds]] at the [[Wembley Arena]]. The first track to play on the station was "[[(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)]]" by the [[Beastie Boys]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5432 |title=Absolute 80s ready to launch |publisher=Radio Today |date=2009-12-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313161334/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5432 |archivedate=13 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/absolute-readies-80s-push/3007428.article|title=Absolute readies 80s push|publisher=Marketing Week|date=2009-12-02}}</ref>

On 14 May 2010, Absolute 80s began broadcasting in mono at 64 kbps on [[Digital One]] national DAB digital radio.

On 29 February 2016, the station switched to the newly launched [[Sound Digital]] multiplex (an "upgrade" to 80 kbps in mono) although it continued to broadcast on Digital One until the end of April 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a516digital.com/2016/04/absolute-80s-planet-rock-heat-and.html|title=Absolute 80s, Planet Rock, Heat and Kisstory to end dual DAB transmission|publisher=a516digital.com|date=2016-04-15}}</ref>

On 16 October 2023, Absolute 80s switched to DAB+ broadcasting in stereo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colothan |first=Scott |date=2023-10-06 |title=Absolute Radio Country and Absolute Classic Rock go national with DAB+ |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/competitions/win/roberts-radio-competition-ar/}}</ref>

On 12 December 2023, Absolute Radio 80s was removed from [[Freesat]], followed by [[Sky UK|Sky]] and [[Virgin Media]] on 13 December, along with every other radio station owned by Bauer Media on either of the three TV platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/11/bauer-to-remove-all-radio-stations-from-satellite-and-cable-tv-platforms/|title = Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms|date = 28 November 2023}}</ref>

==DJs==
The station's DJs include [[Leona Graham]], [[Sarah Champion (presenter)|Sarah Champion]], Richie Firth and Chris Martin. Claire Sturgess hosts a live 80s show every Friday on sister station [[Absolute Radio]] that is also simulcast live on Absolute 80s called Friday Night 80s. The [[Dave Berry (presenter)|Dave Berry]] Breakfast Show is also simulcast live on Absolute 80s.

Weekend programming saw [[Tony Hadley]], the former lead singer of [[Spandau Ballet]], used to host the two-hour ''80s Party'' on Saturdays from 6pm, that ended in December 2019.

On Sundays, Sarah Champion looks back on the chart hits of the decade on the 80s Chart Show. It airs during the same timeslot - 4pm to 7pm - that the singles chart programme used to air on both [[BBC Radio 1]] and commercial radio. This is followed by a follow-up programme in which Chris Martin looks at the album charts of the two years featured on the 80s Chart Show. At 9pm [[Matthew Rudd]] presenting Forgotten 80s, featuring lesser-played hits of the decade.

From 23 September 2019, Absolute Radio's ''Hometime with Bush and Richie'' is simulcast on weekdays, with the same "split playlist" system as used at breakfast allowing relevant music to be played on each station.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Absolute Radio}}
{{Bauer}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
{{Decades themed radio stations}}

[[Category:Absolute Radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 2009]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1980s-themed radio stations]]
[[Category:Bauer Radio]]

{{UK-radio-station-stub}}

BBC Radio Ulster

2025-05-18T21:14:33Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Radio station in Belfast, Northern Ireland}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Update|date=June 2014}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2021}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = BBC Radio Ulster
| logo = [[File:BBC Radio Ulster 2022.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2022
| city = [[Belfast]]
| area = [[Northern Ireland]]{{efn|Northern Ireland only on FM, DAB and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], available on [[BBC Sounds]] and satellite/cable television for rest of the UK and Ireland}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1975|01|01|df=y}}
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 92–95 [[megahertz|MHz]] [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12D [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 711
([[Northern Ireland|NI]] only) [[Freesat]]: 716 [[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky]] (UK only): 0118 [[Virgin Media]]: 932 [[Virgin Media Ireland]]: 906 Online: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlive/bbc_radio_ulster]
| rds = BBC Ulst
| format = [[Freeform radio|Freeform]]
| former_frequencies = 873 [[medium wave|MW]] 1341 MW
| owner = [[BBC]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| operator = [[BBC Northern Ireland]]
| sister_stations = {{unbulleted list|[[BBC Radio Foyle]]|}}
| website = {{URL|www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster}}
}}

'''BBC Radio Ulster''' is a [[Northern Ireland|Northern Irish]] national radio station owned and operated by [[BBC Northern Ireland]], a division of the [[BBC]]. It was established on New Year's Day 1975, replacing what had been an opt-out of [[BBC Radio 4]].

According to [[RAJAR]], the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 462,000 with a listening share of 16.2% as of March 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |title=RAJAR }}</ref>

==Overview==
[[File:BBC Radio Ulster logo.svg|200px|thumb|left|Previous BBC Radio Ulster logo from 2007 till 2022.]]
It is the most widely listened to radio station in Northern Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/104925/northern-ireland-radio-audio.pdf|title=Radio and audio content|website=Ofcom.org.uk|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> with a diverse range of programmes, including news, talk, features, music and sport. In the Q3 2021 RAJAR survey, the station had 517,000 weekly listeners, with total weekly listening hours of 5.5 million, beating its main local rivals (Cool FM, Downtown Radio, Downtown Country, U105, and Q Radio) on both of these metrics and, logically therefore, average weekly hours per listener (10.64). When taken together, the Bauer-owned stations (both Downtown stations and Cool FM) had higher total audience and listening hours per week, but lower average weekly hours per listener. The station had 135,000 more weekly listeners than its equivalent in Wales, BBC Radio Wales, despite serving a RAJAR population 1.1 million smaller. The station had the highest percentage reach and listening share, per corresponding survey area, of any BBC local, nations or national radio station, at 34% and 19.9% respectively.

It is broadcast from BBC Northern Ireland's [[Broadcasting House, Belfast|Broadcasting House]] in [[Belfast]]. News bulletins are broadcast usually on the hour seven days a week from 6:30 am until midnight (on weekdays), from 6:45 am until midnight (on Saturdays) and from 7:00 am to midnight (on weekends, Christmas holidays, and Bank Holidays). It is available on 92-95 FM, [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] in Northern Ireland and across the UK on [[BBC Sounds]] and satellite/cable television. It is also available in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] via BBC Sounds, [[Virgin Media Ireland|Virgin Media]], on smart speakers or on FM in counties bordering Northern Ireland. The station was available on medium wave on 1341 kHz and 873 kHz until 6 May 2021.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/04/ten-more-stations-turn-off-medium-wave-services/ Ten more stations turn of MW services]</ref>

An opt-out of the station exists in [[Derry]], [[BBC Radio Foyle]], carrying alternative programming and news between 8:00am and 4:00pm weekdays. The station is also broadcast on DAB Digital Radio, digital television and on the Internet. During the station's downtime, BBC Radio Ulster simulcasts [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] programming.

==Funding==
The BBC reported in the Annual Report for 2017/18 that Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle operated on a budget of £17.6 million with a 38% reach of the population and that the cost per hour of output was 5.8p.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc_annualreport_201718.pdf|title=BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2017/18|website=Downloads.bbc.co.uk|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>

==Programmes==
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
*''[[Good Morning Ulster]]''
*''[[The Nolan Show]]''
*''[[Talkback (radio programme)|Talkback]]''
*''[[Evening Extra]]''
*''[[Blas (Radio Ulster)|Blas]]''
*''[[Country Afternoon with Hugo Duncan]]''
*''Gardener's Corner''
*''Countryside''
*''Vinny & Cate''
*''Connor Philips Show''
*''The Lynette Fay Show''
*''Assume Nothing''
*''[[Across the Line (radio show)|Across the Line]]''
*''Jazz Club''
*''[[On Your Behalf]]''
*''[[Sounds Classical]]''
*''[[Sunday Sequence]]''
*''Radio Ulster Folk Club''
*''Ralph McLean'' (BBC Radio Ulster)
*''The John Toal Show''
*''The Foodie'' (BBC Radio Ulster)
*''Kerry McLean''
*''[[Your Place and Mine]]''
*''[[The Blame Game (BBC)|The Blame Game]]''
''Thought for the Day''<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cpyslp Thought for the Day from Radio Ulster]</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==Notable presenters==

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* Joel Taggart
* Chris Buckler
*[[Sarah Brett]]
*[[Stephen Nolan]]
*Connor Philips
*[[William Crawley]]
*[[Hugo Duncan]]
*Lynette Fay
*Nicola Weir
* [[Declan Harvey]]
* Tara Mills
* Richard Morgan
*[[Sean Coyle]]
*Sara Neil (business reporter)
*[[Linda McAuley]]
*[[Tim McGarry]]
*Vinny Hurrell
*[[Kerry McLean]]
*Cate Conway
*[[Brian D'Arcy]]
* Stephen McCauley
*[[Ralph McLean (broadcaster)|Ralph McLean]]
*[[Rigsy]]
*[[John Toal (broadcaster)|John Toal]]
* Anne-Marie Wallace
*[[Michael Bradley (musician)|Mickey Bradley]]
{{div col end}}

===Previous presenters===
{{Div col}}
*[[Gerry Anderson (broadcaster)|Gerry Anderson]]
*[[Seamus McKee]]
*[[Stephen Clements]]
*[[Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)|Gerry Kelly]]
*[[Wendy Austin]]
*Karen Patterson
*Conor Bradford
*[[Sean Rafferty]]
*[[Noel Thompson]]
*[[Kim Lenaghan]] (died in 2022)
{{Div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{bbc.co.uk|id=radioulster|title=BBC Radio Ulster}}

{{Northern Ireland radio|92–95}}
{{Radio in Ireland}}
{{BBC Radio}}
{{Freeview}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
{{Authority control}}

{{coord|54.594|-5.930|display=title|region:GB_scale:5000}}

[[Category:BBC regional radio stations|Ulster]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Mass media in Belfast]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1975]]
[[Category:Podcasting companies]]
[[Category:BBC Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Music in Belfast]]

BBC Asian Network

2025-05-18T21:12:15Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Short description|British radio network serving the South Asian community}}
{{Redirect|Asian Network|the lists of Asian radio stations|List of radio stations in Asia}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = BBC Asian Network
| logo = [[File:BBC Asian Network 2022.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2022
| caption = BBC Asian Network logo
| city = [[London]] and [[Birmingham]]
| area = [[United Kingdom]]
| airdate = {{ubl|{{start date and age|1996|11|04|df=y}} (on [[AM broadcasting|AM]] in the [[Midlands]]) |{{start date and age|2002|10|28|df=y}} (nationally on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]])}}
| frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 12B [[BBC National DAB]]||[[AM broadcasting|AM]]: {{frequency|828|kHz}} ([[Wolverhampton]])|AM: {{frequency|837|kHz}} ([[Leicester]])|AM: {{frequency|1449|kHz}} ([[Peterborough]])|AM: {{frequency|1458|kHz}} ([[Birmingham]])|[[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 709|[[Freesat]]: 709|[[Sky UK|Sky]]: 0119|[[Virgin Media]]: 912}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/info/frequencies.shtml|title=BBC - Radio - Radio Frequencies|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
| format = [[Music of South Asia|South Asian music]]/[[talk radio|talk]]
| owner = [[BBC]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| coordinates =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
{{BBC Radio sidebar}}
'''BBC Asian Network''' is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the [[BBC]]. The station's target audience is people "with an interest in [[British Asian]] lifestyles",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/543Gyq9NSZ7JPMt3Z7S0fcW/about-asian-network|title=BBC - About Asian Network|website=BBC}}</ref> especially those between the ages of 18 and 34.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4vl5rRQhWJyvNsQPxBZQ3Wk/bbc-asian-network|title=BBC Radio - Information for suppliers to Radio - BBC Asian Network}}</ref> The station has production centres at [[Broadcasting House]] in [[London]] and [[The Mailbox]] in [[Birmingham]].

The station broadcasts mainly in [[English language|English]], but has retained Sunday evening shows in South Asian languages.

Despite the name, BBC Asian Network covers only the [[Indian subcontinent]], with the rest of the continent – such as [[Japan]] and [[China]] – not covered by the station.

The station's output consists largely of music and talk programmes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_asian_network|title=Asian Network - Listen Live - BBC Sounds|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On Fridays at 4:00 pm, the station broadcasts ''The Official Asian Music Chart'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rx75x|title=BBC Asian Network - The Official Asian Music Chart|website=BBC}}</ref> compiled by the [[Official Charts Company]] and based on sales and streams across a seven-day period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/asian-download-chart/|title=Official Charts|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>

According to [[RAJAR]], the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 542,000 with a listening share of 0.2% as of March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php|title=RAJAR|website=www.rajar.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==

===Origins as a regional programme / station===
[[File:BBC Asian Network.svg|thumb|250px|BBC Asian Network logo (2012–2022)]]
[[File:BBC Asian Network Studio The Mailbox Birmingham 20041228.jpg|thumb|250px|BBC Asian Network studio at [[The Mailbox]] shopping centre, [[Birmingham]].]]
By 1949, the BBC had introduced their first weekly [[Bengali language]] programme, ''Anjuman'', through the efforts of [[Nazir Ahmed (filmmaker)|Nazir Ahmed]] and [[Nurul Momen]]. Momen also conducted a children's programme titled ''Kakoli''. The BBC was later joined by more [[Bengalis]] such as [[Fateh Lohani]] and [[Fazle Lohani]].<ref name=bpedia>{{cite Banglapedia|author=Hayat, Anupam|article=Ahmed, Nazir}}</ref> BBC television had also broadcast an Asian news programme, ''[[Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan]]'', since 1968 from its studios in Birmingham; this series followed a traditional news and current affairs format.

In 1976, [[BBC Radio Leicester]], responding to the growth of the size of the South Asian population and rising racial tension in [[Leicester]], introduced a daily community show called ''Six Fifteen'', aimed primarily at that community in the city. By 1977, CRE research showed that the programme regularly reached 67% of the South Asian community in Leicester. BBC Radio Leicester dominated the provision of Asian programming on BBC local radio and by 1990 was producing one third of the output.<ref>{{cite thesis|last1=McCarthy|first1=Liam|title=Dr.|url=https://doi.org/10.25392/leicester.data.11798622|website=Connecting with new Asian communities: BBC Local Radio 1967-1990|year=2020|publisher=University of Leicester|doi=10.25392/leicester.data.11798622|access-date=16 June 2021|type=thesis}}</ref> In 1989, [[BBC Radio WM|BBC WM]], the BBC radio station for the Midlands, followed Radio Leicester's lead and introduced a similar daily show as part of a new Midlands Asian Network.

On 30 October 1989, '''The Asian Network''' was launched on the [[medium wave]] transmitters of BBC WM and BBC Radio Leicester, with a combined output of 57 hours per week. This was extended to 86 hours a week in 1995 and on 4 November 1996 the station became a full-time service, on air for eighteen hours a day in Leicester and Birmingham, and was relaunched as the '''BBC Asian Network''' with programming also broadcast on the MW transmitters of stations with large Asian communities (with the exception of [[BBC Radio London|BBC GLR]] which was an [[FM broadcasting|FM]]-only station).

===Station goes national===
In November 1999, as part of the addition of a suite of BBC and commercial radio services to the [[Sky UK|Sky Digital]] [[satellite television]] platform, BBC Asian Network was made available to Sky viewers alongside [[BBC Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2]], [[BBC Radio 3]], [[BBC Radio 4]], [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], [[BBC World Service]], [[BBC Radio Scotland]], [[BBC Radio Wales]] and [[BBC Radio Ulster]].

On Monday 28 October 2002, it was relaunched for the [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] Digital Radio system, now broadcasting nationwide.

In January 2006, the BBC announced that they were investing an extra £1m in the BBC Asian Network, and increasing the number of full-time staff by 30% in a bid to make British South Asian interests "a mainstream part of the corporation's output".

===2006 branding and schedule changes===
In April 2006, the first wave of schedule changes were introduced with further changes coming into effect on 14 May and 21 May, with weekend changes occurring from 17 June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/03/asiannetwork.shtml|title=BBC - Press Office - New era for BBC Asian Network starts here|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In August 2007, the Asian Network received a new logo as part of a general re-brand of all national BBC stations. In 2009, this was rebranded again to add prominence to the Asian aspect of the logo.

===Drama output until 2010===
One of the most significant programmes in the Asian Network line-up was an ongoing Asian soap opera ''[[Silver Street]]'', which was first broadcast in 2004. Storylines focused on the lives of a British South Asian community in an unnamed English town, with themes that generally related to issues that affect the daily lives of British South Asians and their neighbours.

Following the reduction of episode lengths to five minutes per day and continued falling listenership, on 16 November 2009 the BBC announced they would be cancelling ''Silver Street''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-25 |title=Image Dissectors - Asian Network's Soap Cancelled |url=http://www.imagedissectors.com/article/33 |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181649/http://www.imagedissectors.com/article/33 |archive-date=25 September 2017 }}</ref> The last episode was broadcast in March 2010. The cancellation grew out of many criticisms of the Asian Network in the BBC Trust's Annual Report.<ref name=":0">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/11_november/16/asian.shtml Changes to drama on BBC Asian Network BBC Press Release], 16 November 2009.</ref>

''Silver Street'' was replaced by monthly half-hour dramas and in August 2010, BBC Asian Network announced it would be launching a new drama season from 1 September 2010.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/08_august/13/asian.shtml Press Release], 8 August 2010</ref>

===2020s===
In March 2022, ''BBC Introducing on Asian Network'' with Jasmine Takhar was nominated for Best Radio Show at the Music Week Awards. It was the first Asian Network show with a Music Week Award nomination since the awards were launched. The show would be nominated again in 2023. The show also celebrated International Women’s Day broadcasting from [[Maida Vale Studios]].

In February 2023, the network launched their first tour with Nikita Kanda's breakfast show visiting Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.

BBC Asian Network were part of the BBC Introducing Showcase at the [[The Great Escape Festival|Great Escape Festival]] on Friday 12 May at the Paganini Ballroom in Brighton.

Breakfast show host Nikita Kanda took part in [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 21)|21st series]] of [[Strictly Come Dancing]] where she was the second person voted out of the show.

In February 2024, BBC Introducing on Asian Network with Jasmine Takhar was nominated for best radio show at the Music Week Awards.

In February 2025, The Official British Asian Music Chart with Jasmine Takhar is nominated for best radio show at the Music Week Awards 10 months after the show launching.

==Threat of closure and controversies==

===Threat of closure===
On 26 February 2010 ''[[The Times]]'' reported that [[Mark Thompson (television executive)|Mark Thompson]], Director General of the BBC, proposed closing the station in a bid to scale back BBC operations and allow commercial rivals more room.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100423170054/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article7041944.ece "BBC signals an end to era of expansion"] 2010-02-26 Retrieved 2010-02-260</ref> The proposal of closure – along with [[BBC Radio 6 Music]] – was later confirmed on 2 March.<ref>John Plunkett [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/02/bbc-6-music-asian-network "BBC confirms plans to axe 6 Music and Asian Network"], ''The Guardian'' 2 March 2010</ref>

Listeners writing on the official Asian Network message boards advocated keeping their station at the expense of 6 Music,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbasiannetwork/F4154526?thread=7339903 BBC – Asian Network closure: BBC consultation]</ref> and letter was written to the BBC Trust and had been signed by people, with the actual number of signatories was artificially boosted with some signing their name more than once (as both a single name and as part of different collectives).<ref>"BBC Asian Network is a vital platform", [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/06/asian-network-a-vital-platform], ''The Guardian'' 6 March 2010</ref> The BBC Trust rejected plans to close 6 Music and later in 2011 rejected plans to close the Asian Network in favour of reducing its budget by 50%.<ref>BBC Trust rejects 6 Music closure plan [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10507286] BBC News, 5 July 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=14 March 2011 |title=BBC considers Asian Network U-turn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12735433 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Sliding audiences and increasing costs ===
In July 2009 it was revealed that the Asian Network had lost over 20% of its listeners in a single year and, per listener, was the most costly and expensive BBC radio station to operate.<ref name=":0" />

In 2011, the BBC ruled there would be a 46% reduction in the Asian Network's budget and a declared target of 600,000 listeners a week; with actual audience numbers only peaking at 507,000.<ref>RadioCentre's response to the BBC Trust's service licence review of Asian Network [http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/our_work/asian_network/radio_centre.pdf]</ref> In 2012, audience numbers fell even further; peaking at only 453,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR: BBC Asian Network loses 130k listeners |url=http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/rajar-bbc-asian-network-loses-130k-listeners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205081527/http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/rajar-bbc-asian-network-loses-130k-listeners |archive-date=2013-02-05 |access-date=2013-01-31}}</ref> Even with the budget reductions, in 2013 the Asian Network had the largest budget of the BBC's digital-only radio stations at £13m; despite having the lowest audience figures by far.<ref>[http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/2012-13/bbc-full-financial-statements-2012-13.pdf BBC full financial statements 2012–2013]</ref>

[[RAJAR]]'s figures in 2014 showed that the Asian Network had at last briefly met the target set four years earlier, finally peaking at 619,000 listeners in Q4.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAJAR |url=http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php}}</ref> However, the Asian Network was noted as being the BBC's only station – across both television and radio – whose [[Appreciation Index]] measurably fell in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 July 2014 |title=BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/2013-14/bbc_annualreport_201314.pdf |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

By May 2015, the Asian Network had once again lost a substantial number of listeners, with the RAJAR reporting a peak of just 562,000 listeners – a loss of 57,000 from the previous quarter.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 May 2015 |title=Radio 4 Extra breaks record to become UK's biggest digital-only station |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/rajars |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

In 2016–17, the Asian Network had the second highest cost-per-user of all the BBC's radio stations, at 3.4p per hour,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Annual Report 2016–17 |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc-annualreport-201617.pdf}}</ref> the second highest budget of the BBC's digital-only radio stations at £7.5m<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asian Network Service Licence April 2016 |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/radio/2016/asian_network_apr16.pdf}}</ref> and by far the lowest audience figures of all the BBC's stations.

In 2017/18, it was noted the station not only remained as having the highest cost-per-user of all the BBC radio output, but whose costs also increased – rising from 3.4p per hour the previous year to 3.7p per hour. The audience Appreciation Index figure did not increase, remaining at 80.3; and the average length of time spent on the channel dramatically fell from 06:11 to 05:19 – the biggest fall of all of the BBC's radio stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Annual Report 2017/18 |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/reports/pdf/bbc_annualreport_201718.pdf |access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref>

In 2018/19, the Asian Network's annual budget increased from £7m to £8m, but the station continued to perform poorly: population reach was down again to 1.1%, time spent on the channel per week fell again to 5:12 and an increase in cost per user per hour (up to 5p).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Annual Report 2018/19 |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/annualreport/2018-19.pdf |access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref>

The station's poor performance continued into 2019/20, where it was noted time spent on the channel fell dramatically again by 20% to just 4:07, while the cost per use per hour had increased up to 6p, remaining the BBC's most expensive-per-listener station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Group Annual Report and Accounts |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/annualreport/2019-20.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919050915/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/annualreport/2019-20.pdf |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> Peak audience figures plunged down to 519,000 listeners, losing 13.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-06 |title=RAJAR: BBC Asian Network loses over 80k listeners in Q4/19 |url=https://www.bizasialive.com/rajar-bbc-asian-network-loses-over-80k-listeners-in-q4-19/ |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=BizAsia {{!}} Media, Entertainment, Showbiz, Brit, Events and Music |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2021/22, the stations audience reach fell to just 1%<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Group Annual Report and Accounts 2021/22 |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/annualreport/ara-2021-22.pdf#page=187}}</ref> – the station continues to have by far the lowest audience figures and highest cost-per-user figures of all the BBC's stations.

In 2022/23, Asian Network's audience reach remained at just 1%.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2023 |title=BBC Group Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/ara-2022-23.pdf |journal=BBC Group}}</ref>

===Rotherham sex abuse scandal controversy===
In 2018, the station's Head of News Arif Ansari was charged under the [[Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992]] after a reporter was thought to have named a victim of the [[Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]] during a live news bulletin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-grooming-gangs-victims-named-bbc-journalist-arif-ansari-asian-network-anonymity-a8579476.html|title=BBC journalist Arif Ansari to go on trial accused of naming Rotherham grooming victim|date=2018-10-11|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-45827413|title=BBC editor denies naming abuse victim|date=2018-10-11|work=BBC News|access-date=2019-01-09|language=en-GB}}</ref> In January 2019, he was cleared when a judge ruled that Ansari was not at fault and had been incorrectly told the name of the victim was a pseudonym. He was the first BBC editor to be tried under the legislation.<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC Asian Network editor found not guilty of 'honest mistake'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46920537|access-date=11 August 2021|publisher=BBC News|date=18 January 2019}}</ref>

==Presenters==
===Current presenters===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Islah Abdur-Rahman]]
*[[Jassa Ahluwalia]]
*Nayha Ahmad
*[[Nadia Ali (broadcaster)|Nadia Ali]]
*[[Mehreen Baig]]
*Kan D Man
*Ankur Desai
*[[Bobby Friction]]
*[[Panjabi Hit Squad]]
*[[Nikita Kanda]]
*Noreen Khan
*DJ Limelight
*Pritt
*Haroon Rashid
*Amber Sandhu
*Keisha Sethi
*Jasmine Takhar
{{div col end}}

===Former presenters===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Guz Khan]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Guz |title=Guz Khan's BBC Landing Page |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06qbjsq |website=BBC |access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>
*[[Nihal Arthanayake]]
*[[Nikki Bedi]]
*[[Ameet Chana]]
*[[Sonia Deol]]
*[[Preeya Kalidas]]
*Harpz Kaur
*[[Kayper|DJ Kayper]]
*[[Aasmah Mir]]
*[[Murtz]]
*Nerm
*Ashanti Omkar
*Raj and Pablo
*Pathaan
*[[Anita Rani]]
*[[Adil Ray]]
*[[Tommy Sandhu]]
*Nikesh Rughani
*[[Sunny and Shay]]
*Rozina Sini
*Yasser
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{bbc.co.uk|id=asiannetwork|title=BBC Asian Network}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110518181033/http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/radio/654 Origins of BBC Asian Network]}}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2366531.stm BBC Asian Network relaunched on DAB] at [[bbc.co.uk]]

{{BBC Asian Network}}
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[[Category:BBC Asian Network]]
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KODJ

2025-05-11T15:57:17Z

173.52.65.78:

{{short description|Radio station in Salt Lake City}}
{{for|the [[Noongar]] hafted axe|kodj}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KODJ
| logo = KODJ_94.1_Logo.png
| city = [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]]
| country = US
| area = [[Salt Lake City metropolitan area]]
| branding = ''94.1 KODJ''
| frequency = {{Frequency|94.1|MHz}} {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = {{start date|1968|12|1}}
| format = [[Classic hits]]
| subchannels = HD2: "Magic" (bilingual [[adult contemporary]])
| erp = 21,500 watts
| haat = {{Convert|1219|meters}}
| class = C
| facility_id = 48916
| coordinates = {{coord|40|39|34.8|N|112|12|7.8|W|region:US-UT_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = [[Oldies]]; inherited from the former callsign of [[KCBS-FM]] in Los Angeles
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KALL-FM (1968–1984, 1991-1993)|KLCY-FM (1984–1991)}}
| affiliations = [[Premiere Networks]]
| owner = [[iHeartMedia]]
| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[KAAZ-FM]]|[[KJMY]]|[[KNRS (AM)|KNRS]]|[[KNRS-FM]]|[[KZHT]]}}
| webcast = {{iHeartRadio|941-kodj-2393}} HD2: {{iHeartRadio|magic-10085}}
| website = {{URL|http://941kodj.iheart.com/}}
}}

'''KODJ''' (94.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[commercial radio]] station in [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]]. The station airs a [[classic hits]] [[radio format]] and is owned by [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]] The station's studios and offices are located in [[West Valley City, Utah|West Valley City]].

KODJ has an [[effective radiated power]] of 21,500 watts. The [[transmitter]] site is located in [[Erda, Utah]], on [[Farnsworth Peak]] in the [[Oquirrh Mountains]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=kodj&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/KODJ]</ref> KODJ is also heard on about a dozen [[FM translator]] stations in small communities around Utah and [[Wyoming]].

==History==
=== KALL-FM (1968–1984) ===
On December 1, 1968, the station [[sign-on|signed on]] as KALL-FM.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1969/B%20All%20Radio%201969%20BC%20YB.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1969 page B-175]</ref> It was the FM counterpart to [[KWDZ|KALL (910 AM)]] (not related the current incarnation on [[KALL|700 AM]]). KALL-AM-FM were owned by the Salt Lake City Broadcasting Company, which was also the partial owner of [[KUTV]]. At first, KALL-FM [[simulcast]] the AM station, carrying its [[full service radio|full service]], [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of popular music and [[ABC Radio News]].

In the 1970s, the simulcast ended and the FM station switched to an [[broadcast automation|automated]] [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40]] format, while still keeping the KALL-FM [[call sign]].

=== Adult contemporary (1984–1991) ===
In May 1984, KALL-FM switched its call letters to KLCY-FM, and changed format to [[soft adult contemporary]] music as "Classy 94.1".<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/B-Radio-All-BC-YB-1985.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1985 page B-276]</ref> Over the next few years, the format moved a bit more uptempo to mainstream [[adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]].

=== Oldies/classic hits (1991–present) ===
On September 30, 1991, the station's format was changed from AC to [[oldies]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224957/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/185478/KLCY-BECOMES-KALL-FM.html?pg=all KLCY Becomes KALL-FM]", ''[[Deseret News]]'', September 27, 1991. Accessed August 20, 2015</ref> The call letters were changed back to KALL-FM on July 10. Management wanted to recapture some of the listeners who had grown up on KALL-FM when it was a contemporary hits station.

On December 3, 1993, the call sign switched to the current KODJ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=48916&Callsign=KODJ |title=KODJ Call Sign History |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division }}</ref> The original KODJ call letters were originally found on [[KCBS-FM|a radio station]] in Los Angeles.<ref>[http://www.mgkelly.com/archive-23.asp M.G. Kelly Career Archives]</ref>

The station used the branding name "Oldies 94.1" through the 1990s. In 1999, the station was acquired by [[Clear Channel Communications]], based in [[San Antonio]].<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2005/Radio-All-2005-BC-YB.pdf Information] from the [[Broadcasting & Cable]] Yearbook 2005 page D-526</ref> (The corporate name changed to the current [[iHeartMedia]] in 2014.) Clear Channel rebranded the station as "94.1 KODJ" in 2001.

Through this time, the station had a longtime staff line-up. Dickie Shannon became the morning [[drive time]] host in 1994 and was joined by co-host Angel Deville in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/434325/KODJ-SMOOTHER-THAN-EVER-WITH-NEW-STAFF.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808113401/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/434325/KODJ-SMOOTHER-THAN-EVER-WITH-NEW-STAFF.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=KODJ SMOOTHER THAN EVER WITH NEW STAFF|date=1995-08-18|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}</ref> The pair married in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://davisclipper.com/bookmark/151900-Making-marriage-work-at-work|title=The Davis Clipper - Making marriage work at work|access-date=2017-08-08}}</ref> Their show was re-branded "Married with Microphones." Clear Channel dropped the pair in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660219456/KODJ-drops-Dickie-and-Angel.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704090305/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660219456/KODJ-drops-Dickie-and-Angel.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2010|title=Radio dial: KODJ drops Dickie and Angel|last=Arave|first=Lynn|date=2007-05-11|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}</ref> They were replaced with "Steve Harmon and the Breakfast Club."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695207766/KODJ-launches-Breakfast-Club.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808113533/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695207766/KODJ-launches-Breakfast-Club.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=Radio dial: KODJ launches 'Breakfast Club'|last=Arave|first=Lynn|date=2007-09-07|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}</ref>

Other past staff members include Rob Boshard, a former [[KZHT|KISN]] DJ who was told early in his career that he did not have a voice for radio.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/992935/Rockin-Rob-ignored-the-critics.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028023746/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/992935/Rockin-Rob-ignored-the-critics.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2013|title='Rockin' Rob' ignored the critics|date=2003-06-27|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}</ref> Boshard's "Rockin' Rob in the Afternoon" show ended in 2009. Ed Wright hosted the night shift as "The Music Professor." He left the station in 2004 following a bout of cancer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595083640/Evenings-on-FM-radio-are-alive-and-thriving-in-Salt-Lake.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808074954/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595083640/Evenings-on-FM-radio-are-alive-and-thriving-in-Salt-Lake.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=Radio dial: Evenings on FM radio are alive and thriving in Salt Lake|last=Arave|first=Lynn|date=2004-08-13|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}</ref>

In the early 2000s, the station returned to the name "Oldies 94.1". On January 15, 2015, KODJ rebranded back to "94.1 KODJ, Salt Lake's Greatest Hits". The station also launched a new logo, and once again, removed the "oldies" wording from the station's branding.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://941kodj.iheart.com/ KODJ Website]
{{FM station data|48916|KODJ}}

{{Salt Lake City Radio}}
{{IHeartMedia}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Utah|ODJ]]
[[Category:Classic hits radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Mass media in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1968]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Utah]]

KRMD (AM)

2025-05-09T03:34:22Z

173.52.65.78:

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KRMD
| above = Currently [[silent (broadcasting)|silent]]
| logo =
| city = [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]
| country = US
| area = [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]-[[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]]
| branding = Lite Rock 100.7
| frequency = 1340 [[kilohertz|kHz]]
| languages = [[American English|English]]
| translator = [[#Translators|See § Translators]]
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1926|11|3|p=fy}} (as KRAC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/assemble?docno=2611 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160304114653/https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/assemble?docno=2611 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Radio Service Bulletin No. 116 |access-date=August 21, 2008 |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]] |date=November 30, 1926 }}</ref>
| format = [[Adult contemporary music|Adult contemporary]]
| power = 400 watts
| class = C
| facility_id = 1305
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| coordinates = {{coord|32|29|36.5|N|93|45|55.6|W|type:landmark_region:US-LA|display=inline,ttile}}
| callsign_meaning = Robert M. Dean (original owner)
| former_callsigns = KRAC (1926–1928)
| affiliations =
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Cumulus Licensing LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[KMJJ-FM]]|[[KQHN]]|[[KRMD-FM]]|[[KVMA-FM]]}}
| webcast =
| website =
}}

'''KRMD''' (1340 [[AM broadcasting|AM]], "Lite Rock 100.7") is an [[adult contemporary]] formatted radio station licensed to [[Shreveport, Louisiana]] and serving the [[Ark-La-Tex]] region. The station is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and based at the [[Louisiana Boardwalk]] in [[Bossier City, Louisiana]]. The station's transmitter is just southwest of the [[Interstate 20|I-20]]/[[Interstate 49|I-49]] interchange in Shreveport, coincidentally across the street from a separate transmitter housing its sister stations, its [[KRMD-FM|FM partner]], [[KMJJ-FM]], [[KVMA-FM]] and [[KQHN]].

==Programming==
The station plays [[Christmas music]] every November and December. In 2022, it was the first station to change to Christmas music for the season, after it unceremoniously flipped to Christmas music on October 28 and other stations who traditionally flipped earlier declined to do so in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christmas Music Season Starts In Shreveport |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/244470/christmas-music-season-starts-in-shreveport/ |access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
KRMD was originally licensed and put on the air by R. M. Dean; the call sign was derived from his initials. The original license was issued in May 1928 with original power of 50 and 100 watts.<ref>[http://jeff560.tripod.com/am14.html (See Early history of KWKH and other Shreveport radio stations)]</ref> The station was founded by T. B. Lanford of Shreveport. In 1959, Thomas Austin Gresham (1921–2015), a 1946 graduate of [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]] who was born in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]], came to Shreveport to manage KRMD. He was thereafter the executor of the Lanford estate from 1978 until his retirement a decade later. While in Shreveport, Gresham served for a year on the Caddo Parish Selective Service Board and was active in [[Rotary International]] and the [[American Contract Bridge League]]. Earlier, he had opened radio station KLOU and was the manager and part owner of [[KAOK]], both in [[Lake Charles, Louisiana]]. He was a decorated [[first lieutenant]] with the [[8th Air Force]] of the [[United States Army Air Corps]] in England during [[World War II]]. He flew twenty combat missions in [[B-17 bomber]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-gresham&pid=175410399&fhid=10218#sthash.eXicDbKj.dpuf|title=Thomas Gresham|newspaper=[[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]]|date=August 1, 2015|access-date=January 2, 2016}}</ref>

Until 2005, KRMD was "1340 The Zone" and was the only [[sports radio|all-sports]] station in the "[[Ark-La-Tex]]". In 2005, KRMD changed its format to [[Talk radio|news/talk]], branded as "SuperTalk 1340". Former programming was a mixture of [[politics|political talk]] with syndicated hosts [[Neal Boortz]], [[G. Gordon Liddy]], and [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] and sports talk with [[Tim Brando]]. As of the [[2006 NFL season]], KRMD is the local affiliate for the [[Dallas Cowboys]].

On December 17, 2012, KRMD returned to a sports format, branded as "Sports Talk 100.7", using the frequency of its FM translator (K264AS) in its branding. The change was part of Cumulus' rollout of the [[CBS Sports Radio]] network on its sports stations.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/80087/cumulus-begins-cbs-sports-radio-transitions/ Cumulus Begins CBS Sports Radio Transitions] RadioInsight - December 17, 2012</ref> In 2016, KRMD rebranded as "100.7 FM & 1340 AM The Ticket".

On March 9, 2020, Cumulus Media flipped KRMD and K264AS from sports to [[Soft Adult Contemporary|soft AC]], as "Lite Rock 100.7".<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 9, 2020|title=Cumulus Brings Lite Rock To Shreveport|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185038/cumulus-brings-lite-rock-to-shreveport/|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}</ref>

KRMD went [[silent (broadcasting)|silent]] in March 2025. It was one of 11 Cumulus stations to close the weekend of March 14, as part of a larger shutdown of underperforming Cumulus stations.<ref name="ri-krmdclosure">{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Twenty Cumulus & Townsquare Media Stations Cease Operations With More To Come |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/296690/twenty-cumulus-townsquare-media-stations-cease-operations-with-more-to-come/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |work=RadioInsight |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Translators==

{{RadioTranslators
| callsign = KRMD
| width =

| call1 = K264AS
| freq1 = 100.7
| city1 = Mooringsport, Louisiana
| fid1 = 141176
| watts1 = 250
| haat1 = 148.9
| class1 = D
| coord1 = {{Coord|32|29|36|N|93|45|55|W|type:landmark_region:US-LA_source:FCC|name=K264AS}}
| notes1 = Info located here:<ref>{{Cite web|title=FCCdata.org - powered by REC|url=https://fccdata.org/?lang=en&facid=141176|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=fccdata.org}}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{AM station data|1305|KRMD}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|141176|K264AS}}
*{{FXL|K264AS}}

{{Shreveport Radio}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Louisiana}}
{{Cumulus Media}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1926]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Mass media in Shreveport, Louisiana]]

WBBO

2025-05-09T03:26:39Z

173.52.65.78:

{{for|other radio stations that have held the WBBO call sign|WBBO (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WBBO
| logo = B985newlogo2010.png
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[Ocean Acres, New Jersey]]
| area = [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]], [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] County, New Jersey
| branding = B98.5
| frequency = 98.5 [[MHz]]
| airdate = March 10, [[1993 in radio|1993]]
| format = [[Contemporary Hit Radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]
| erp = 3,400 [[watt]]s
| haat = 136 meters
| class = A
| facility_id = 59495
| coordinates = {{coord|39|42|56|N|74|17|32|W}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = WQNJ (1990–1997) WBBO (1997–July 5, 2006) WKOE ( July 5,-24 2006) WKMK ( July 24, 2006– September 15, 2010) WHTG-FM (September 15,–December 8, 2010)<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=59495&Callsign=WBBO FCC Call Sign History</ref>
| affiliations =
| owner = [[Press Communications]], LLC
| licensee =
| sister_stations = [[WHTG (AM)|WHTG]], [[WKMK|WKMK/WTHJ]], [[WWZY|WWZY/WBHX]]
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://www.b985radio.com}}
| website = [https://www.b985radio.com/ b985radio.com]
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}

'''WBBO''' (98.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "B98-5") is a [[radio station]] broadcasting a [[contemporary hit radio]] format. Licensed to [[Ocean Acres, New Jersey]], it serves [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] & [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] counties in New Jersey. It first started broadcasting on March 10, 1993, under the [[callsign (radio)|call sign]] '''WQNJ''', but more recently operated under WKMK. The station is currently owned by Press Communications.<ref>http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WKMK FCC FM Query</ref>

==Coverage Area==
98.5's signal blankets [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] and [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] in New Jersey as well as the New Jersey suburbs of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]. The station can be heard from [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]] to the South, [[Belmar, New Jersey|Belmar]] to the North, and [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] to the West.

The WBBO antenna is co-located with [[WVBH (FM)|WVBH]] and [[W265CS]] on a tower located near the intersection of [[New Jersey Route 72|Route 72]] and the [[Garden State Parkway]] in [[Manahawkin, New Jersey|Manahawkin]].

==Early history==
98.5 was granted the '''WQNJ''' calls on February 7, 1990. Even before this station hit the air, it had extensive coverage in the local newspapers, because it was to be the first commercial station to hit the air in Ocean County since WJRZ signed on in 1976. FM 98.5 was originally owned by Seaira, Inc., a local company that was headed by Pat Parson, a former WCBS/880 news anchor from 1970 to 1990 and a former alumnus of WERA in [[Plainfield, New Jersey|Planfield]].

Parson originally planned 98.5 to be a live and local Smooth Jazz station, using the slogan "Cloud Nine," with an original sign-on date of Spring 1991. However, that sign-on date changed many times, due mostly because of antenna clearances that had to be taken care of prior to signing on. In late 1992, with Seaira not having enough financial backing to sign on themselves with a local format, 98.5 entered into an agreement with D&K Broadcasting (the owners of WJLK at the time.)

On February 11, 1993, WQNJ began on-air testing and on March 10, 1993, officially signed on with a simulcast of 94.3 WJLK. It was pretty much a 100% simulcast, with the exception of local commercial cut-ins and on weekday mornings at 6, 7, 8 and 9 o’clock, Pat Parson would do a 5-minute newscast.
This basic format lasted until 1996 when it was announced that Nassau Broadcasting had purchased the station (and others in the Jersey Shore area.)

==B98.5==
[[File:Wbbologo.jpg|thumb|left|The original B98.5 logo]]
Pat Parson's newscasts were soon discontinued. The simulcast continued with WJLK until Memorial Day weekend in 1997 when Nassau launched "B-98.5 – The Jersey Shore's Hit Music Station."
The first song played on "B-98.5" was the [[Spice Girls]] "Wannabe".
On July 11, 1997, the calls were changed to WBBO.

In 2001, Nassau sold WBBO (along with [[WOBM-FM]] and WJLK) to Millennium Radio Group. in march of 2002 WCHR 105.7 simulcast was on the air but on April 15, 2002 105.7 WCHR ends it Simulcast and WCHR changes it format to Classic Rock. In April 2003, it was announced that Millennium was selling WBBO to Press Communications, who ironically enough, was the original applicant for 98.5 in the late 1980s. In August 2004, Press officially took over WBBO.

===Alumni===
Original Staff * Neil Sullivan, Program Director 1997–1999 * Fox Feltman (aka. Alan Fox), Assistant Program Director/Music Director, Afternoons 1997–1999 * Jessica Taylor, Midday host, 1999 * Andy Chase, Promotions and Swing jock 1997–2003, morning host 2003–2004 * Mike and Diane, Mornings 1998–1999 * JC, then Scotty Valentino Nights 1997–1999 * Ed Bishop, Imaging Director * General Manager Don Dalesio 1997–2002; 2016–2019

==G Rock Radio==
On February 18, 2005, 98.5 started simulcasting sister station WHTG-FM "G-106.3" from [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]] and became [[GRock Radio]]. On July 5, 2006, 98.5 changed calls to WKOE as part of a switch with new move-in 106.5 in Bass River Township. WKOE was formerly located at 106.3 in [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] On July 24, 2006 at midnight, the simulcast on 98.5 ceased.

==Real Jersey Kountry K98.5==
[[Image:k985logo.jpg|200px|thumb|WKMK logo from 2006 to 2009]]
Later on July 24, 2006, after "stunting" with playing The Eagles "New Kid In Town" over and over for 12 hours, 98.5 debuted as "K-98.5: Real Jersey Kountry" and new call letters of WKOE, were assigned at 10 a.m. that day (switching from WBBO which had been re-instated). The WKOE call letters were quickly replaced with WKMK to avoid a legal situation after it was noted that using WKOE on a country formatted station violated a usage agreement that Press Broadcasting signed regarding the WKOE calls.
The first song played was Alan Jackson's "Gone Country." Past staffers of K98.5 include Jim Radler, Leeann Taylor and Brian Moore.

==Ocean County's Country Thunder 98.5==
[[File:WKMK logo.png|thumb|200px|WKMK logo from February 16, 2009 until September 12, 2010]]
On February 16, 2009, "K98.5" under the direction of longtime Country Music PD Captain Jack Aponte, switched its name to "Thunder 98.5". Along with the name change, Captain Jack changed the station's format to an edgier "Rockin Country" sound, playing some classic southern rock along with country music; similar southern rock/country "hybrid" formats were used unsuccessfully on various U.S. country outlets in the 1990s, most even used the same "Thunder Country" moniker also.

==B 98.5 returns==
The station swapped its "Thunder" country format with co-owned WHTG and WBBO on September 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.<ref name="app">{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com/article/20100908/BUSINESS/100908074/Monmouth-radio-station-106-3-FM-changes-to-country-music|publisher=app.com|title=Monmouth radio station 106.3 FM changes to country music," Asbury Park Press, September 8, 2010 |access-date=2017-03-12}}</ref> At that time, the station resumed its former identity of "B 98.5", and at that time also swapped call signals, assuming the WHTG-FM identity long associated with 106.3 FM in Eatontown, which became WKMK at that time. some of the staff were a carry-over from [[WKMK#Hit 106|Hit 106]]. In the weeks leading up to the station change, commercials continuously announced "Hit 106 is moving down the dial". On December 8, 2010, 98.5 Went back to The WBBO Calls.

==Airstaff==
The current lineup (as of October 30, 2024) is as follows

'''[https://instagram.com/b985morningshow B98.5 Morning Show] (6–10 am):''' TJ Mateo & [https://lenoreluca.com Lenore (Lenny) Luca]

'''Middays (10 am – 2pm):''' Liv Rescigno

'''Afternoon (2–6 pm)''': Rashaud Thomas

'''Nights (6 pm-midnight):''' E

'''Program Director/Music Director:''' Rashaud Thomas

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{FM station data|59495|WBBO}}

{{Monmouth-Ocean Radio}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in New Jersey}}

[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations in New Jersey|BBO]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1993]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in New Jersey]]