Summer on Radio 1

[Jono]

Global Radio is to scrap the Galaxy Network, Red Dragon FM, Trent FM, Leicester Sound and Ram FM as rebrand all stations as Capital FM.

The new eight-station “Capital Network” will launch on January 3rd 2011 when all programmes with the exception of breakfast and drive will originate from Leicester Square, London.

Founder and Global Group CEO, Ashley Tabor told RadioToday.co.uk that only a “handful” of presenters will lose their jobs as a result of this move, which he describes as one of the biggest events to happen in UK commercial radio.

He said: “Since Global was created we have prided ourselves on being an industry innovator. The formation of the new Capital Network represents another huge innovation from Global Radio, taking an established, trusted and loved brand and extending it across the UK to create a true national network of stations reaching 6.3m with a clear hit music proposition.”

Local presenters on Trent, Ram, Red Dragon and Leicester Sound, plus some Galaxy presenters are affected by the changes. Global Radio is offering positions in London for staff affected at the network hub in Leeds. Split links will be used by all London presenters outside of breakfast and drivetime to keep local content on the regional and local stations.

Capital FM will replace the six Galaxy stations operating in Scotland, South Coast, Birmingham, and Manchester, Yorkshire and North East as well as the current Hit Music Network stations Red Dragon, Trent, RAM and Leicester Sound.

It means former Capital FM sister stations such as BRMB will now compete directly with the new network, and Bauer's Big City Network faces stiffer competition in markets such as Leeds and Manchester.

From 2011 the network will be known as “95 – 106 Capital FM, The UK’s No.1 Hit Music Station” but the stations will ID locally as [freq] Capital FM but local news hours will be extended and local advertising will remain locally sold.

Global Radio has only just completed a similar programme of creating Heart as a national brand, closing 20 locations and merging them with nearby stations to create larger single stations.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6265.2

[MrDoovdeHaxorz]

I guess they figure they might as well since they play all the same music at all the same times... not like Nottingham and Derby really lose anything if Trent/Ram FM goes, they're crap.

[hobbs]

Capital need someone strong to compete with Greg James on the network slot.

They'll need a high profile presenter for this, they've announced that Roberto and Dave Kelly are 100% safe...but not The Bassman. This suggests that they are looking for a new dj for the 1 - 4 slot...

Scott and Chris' contracts end next year...there could, perhaps, be a snatch of either scott or chris (probably scott) for the new capital line up.

Just a thought.

[fathomer90]

I have quite strong contacts at Galaxy Yorkshire, and there does seem some strong concensus that they want to poach a big name Radio 1 star to help with the relaunch. Makes sense in them being a compeitor to R1.

Can't think of who bar Moyles is worth the money. JK and Joel are obvious choices but there star has obviously faded. Maybe it would be a good move for Scott if he knows he won't be getting breakfast.

[MrDoovdeHaxorz]

Maybe they'll take Coxy... *fingers crossed*

[The Stig]

Such a shame quality British Commercial Radio doesn't exist anymore. This move is going to make it a damn site more difficult for me to get a job in three years time.

[R94N]

Such a shame quality British Commercial Radio doesn't exist anymore. This move is going to make it a damn site more difficult for me to get a job in three years time.

Yeah, most of it is just playlists of chart music, and ads, at least on Trent FM and Leicester Sound. Heart is a bit better I suppose, but Oak FM is terrible.

Scott and Chris' contracts end next year...there could, perhaps, be a snatch of either scott or chris (probably scott) for the new capital line up.

Just a thought.

I would probably go with them if they did, and then probably listen to Zane and Huw only on R1.

[Tyler1994]

Yeah, most of it is just playlists of chart music, and ads, at least on Trent FM and Leicester Sound. Heart is a bit better I suppose, but Oak FM is terrible.

Heart Has Taken Over The South.

[R94N]

Heart Has Taken Over The South.

Really? :/

[MrDoovdeHaxorz]

Yeah, most of it is just playlists of chart music, and ads, at least on Trent FM and Leicester Sound. Heart is a bit better I suppose, but Oak FM is terrible.

I have wondered at times why they even bother with DJs, the music is usually played on all stations of the network simulataneously so might as well have same DJ too. I suspect some of these stations may even start losing out to web radio stations anyways if they're not careful.

[Tyler1994]

Really? :/

Yeah, They took over some local stations owned by Global Radio.

[R94N]

I have wondered at times why they even bother with DJs, the music is usually played on all stations of the network simulataneously so might as well have same DJ too. I suspect some of these stations may even start losing out to web radio stations anyways if they're not careful.

Definitely. There is a lot more choice on the web in terms of genres - local FM/DAB radio tends to just play similar music. I think all the DJs do on stations like Leicester Sound is read out the track names and the school that are closed in the winter

[MrDoovdeHaxorz]

Definitely. There is a lot more choice on the web in terms of genres - local FM/DAB radio tends to just play similar music.

From what I understand, radio stations in the US are a bit like this, stations focussing on one genre (not just music, but types of show in general like music, studio debate, phone-in, etc) and a few different genres on offer in each area.

[japitts]

This doesn't surprise me, but a few things just don't add up..

Neither Capital nor Heart have complete national coverage like the BBC, so to say that they're "taking on R1" does sound a little like a cheap marketing ploy to me. Which brings me neatly onto daytime DJs...

Really can't see Moyles going, didn't he work at Capital enroute to R1, and has always said that it's not just about money but the profile of Radio 1 too. Mills.. hmmm.. ex-Heart unless I'm much mistaken and he's already (rightly or wrongly) the main breakfast stand-in and also has one of the flagship slots himself.

I'm only a listener, but surely part of it is also the profile of working for Radio 1, not just the money - I'm sure some of the daytime DJs could earn more in the commercial sector...

Dunno, just thinking out loud.

[Tyler1994]

We Can't even get Capital down in the south east I Dont think so I Cant see it working that well.

[R94N]

We Can't even get Capital down in the south east I Dont think so I Cant see it working that well.

Neither can I. I also find the content on the BBC stations to be of a much, much higher quality than of 'local' commercial stations.

[franzi]

Neither can I. I also find the content on the BBC stations to be of a much, much higher quality than of 'local' commercial stations.

You really can't compare them. When I started listening to R1, I suddenly realized how boring our local commercial station is. The DJs aren't funny at all. Only childish jokes, uninteresting stories; I always wondered how they get a target audience of 15-49 years olds.

[DC]

hopefully they'll take on fearne or edith, then they'll be destroyed from the inside.

[kyle_y]

What Global should do if they wanna take on R1 is network weekday breakfast, drive and maybe 10-1 (and maybe some higher profile weekend daytime slots) across the all the new Capital stations so that they can provide a nationwide alternative to Moyles, Fearne and Mills while providing local programming throughout the rest of the day. If done properly it could dent R1's listening figures (not something I wish to see personally) and minimise job losses at the same time.

[E*F*4L]

BRMB is wank, but with Galaxy going what are all the chavs going to do with out their R 'n' B choons ?

seems rather stupid to have two of their own stations competing with each other, why not just change BRMB, right bunch of knobs running Craptial, i cannot get it here where i am, but does Johnny Yawn still do the breakie show ?

[-sophie-]

We Can't even get Capital down in the south east I Dont think so I Cant see it working that well.

But it's based in London, isn't it? How can they take on the country when their signals don't reach beyond the city?

Oh, I forgot. Everyone lives in London according to the southern media...

what are all the chavs going to do with out their R 'n' B choons ?

Throw heavy objects down the stairs? That would have a similar effect in my opinion.

[Hammer]

I think some of you are missing the point talking about how you can't get Capital outside of London at the moment. That's obviously because they're currently operating as a single radio station in the London area. What they're planning to do is use other stations across the former Galaxy network to transmit their content. They'll get pretty widespread national coverage I would imagine.

[Guest]

I first got into radio when i was 11. the first station i ever listened to was Galaxy fm. (Dave Kelly 7-10pm on weekdays). But then Dave left for Capital fm and the replacement, James Barr, was shit (until he started fakebook which was hilarious) but then i got bored and went to see what else was on (James Barr also done Sundays) and found Annie and Nick on Switch. and i fell in love.... lool. i never did listen to galaxy again. i guess id didnt know that there were stations out there that didnt a) just play the oldies or have an endless repeated playlist of crap commercial music. Radio 1 do repeats aswell but not as much as Galaxy./ The DJs are far more entertaining and the variety of music and specialist shows are fantastic. Global radio dont stand a chance.

[MrDoovdeHaxorz]

Yeah they do have a LOT of repeats. APlaylist songs are probably once hourly plays, so can get played twice in same show, anytime Radio1 does that it's usually ironic or by text demand (like Fearne's first play of KOL - Radioactive).

[japitts]

Well Capital's relaunch has gone down like a lead balloon in certain parts - FB pages for Capital & Radio Today making a very interesting read. Ex-listeners from Leicester Sound, Ram & Red Dragon particularly unhappy, surprise surprise! I would assume those stations are ones that stood out from the bland ILR crowd and had a bit more of a loyal following, not unlike GWR in Bristol. Even now in Bristol - people either love (well, don't know any better) or hate (or have realised there is life elsewhere on the dial) Heart.

Although I'm (pleasantly) surprised we've not seen more talk about the "taking on Radio 1" angle.. that would have made for a real giggle.