413:
programme, (formerly called 'Core
Control' and then 'Music Control') (weekdays 7 pm to 10 pm) presented by Kam and Sally, (Kam was replaced by Kevin Hughes), 'Late Night Love' (Sunday to Thursday 10pm to 1am) presented by Graham Torrington (later the show was replaced by 'the wind down' presented by Cat James), and Music On Demand (1am till Breakfast, 7 days a week) presented by Tony Wright (Now Celador Radio), then James Clayton and latterly Dan Wood (now Gem) and at weekends Andy Henly. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the network splits, with most stations taking Non-Stop Party (Friday 10pm to 1am) and Party Anthems (Saturday 7pm to 10pm), while the other stations take
888:
Greater London (AM & DAB), Humberside (DAB), Kent (AM & DAB), Lancashire (DAB), Leeds (DAB), Luton & Bedford (AM), Manchester (AM & DAB), Norfolk & North
Suffolk (AM & DAB), Northamptonshire (AM), Nottingham (AM & DAB), Peterborough (AM & DAB), Plymouth (AM & DAB), Reading (AM & DAB), Reigate & Crawley (AM), Shropshire (AM), South Hampshire (AM & DAB), South Yorkshire (DAB), Suffolk (AM), Sussex (AM & DAB), Swindon & Wiltshire (AM), Teesside (DAB), Tyne & Wear (DAB), Wrexham & Chester (AM).
40:
434:
of the two combined entities by the time the merger was sealed. Many market commentators felt that the savings brought about by cost cutting and elimination of duplicated departments across the company were far outweighed by large drops in the audience and advertising revenue across the newly formed
530:
stations would also be closed if they could not be sold, as the stations were forecast to make a combined loss of £800,000 in 2008. An improved offer from Global was finally accepted by GCap shareholders, resulting in the departure of the group's senior management. Fru
Hazlitt resigned in May 2008.
489:
In
November 2007, it was announced that Ralph Bernard was leaving as the CEO of the company. This was unusual, as neither he nor the company named a successor, but announced that they would start to look for one. This uncertainty caused a massive drop in the share price of the company, and it never
429:
to commemorate the launch. For the first five months the group was run by Ralph
Bernard (ex-GWR) as Executive chairman, and David Mansfield (ex-Capital Radio Group) as CEO. David Mansfield stepped down on the afternoon of 19 September 2005 with Ralph Bernard taking over both roles. Within weeks of
476:
In April 2007, GCap Media announced that it was acquiring 18 AM and DAB 'Classic Gold' radio stations from Unique
Broadcasting Company Media Group. Many of these licences had formerly been operated by GWR Group before being sold to Unique. It was announced that the stations would be merged with
451:
In
October 2005, GCap Media announced around 100 job losses and the sale of nine non-core radio stations, as part of a restructuring initiative. By this time, over £300m had been wiped off the market capitalisation of GCap Media, and the group was frequently touted as a take-over target by City
887:
Birmingham (AM & DAB), Black
Country (AM & DAB), Bournemouth (AM & DAB), Bristol & Bath (AM & DAB), Cambridge (DAB), Cardiff & Newport (AM & DAB), Coventry (AM & DAB), Derby (AM), Essex (AM & DAB), Exeter & Torbay (DAB), Gloucester & Cheltenham (AM),
412:
By 2008, it had four main syndicated programmes: a weekday mid-morning programme which started in 2008 hosted by
Phillippa Collins (this show was only carried on a few stations, when taken over by Global radio, the show was rolled out to all stations), a week-nightly music and showbiz based
404:
GWR attempted to revolutionise local radio with its policy of branding its stations with similar phrases, initially "today's better music mix", later "today's best mix" and "the best mix of the 80s, 90s and today". This was after a landmark ruling in July 1995 by
502:(made possible by the low value of the shares), Hazlitt laid out her plans for the company's recovery to financial health on 11 February 2008. Cost-cutting lay at the heart of Hazlitt's statement, including divesting GCap of its costly involvement in
222:
Changes in the media ownership laws meant, that
Capital Radio Group was able to acquire other stations throughout the UK, becoming a powerful player in the UK's commercial radio industry; before the merger with GWR. In 1993, Capital bought
525:
The station theJazz ceased broadcasting as announced, but Planet Rock remained on air while negotiations took place with potential buyers, which were successfully concluded in June 2008. In addition, the non-London
1354:
625:
This was a network of local radio stations in various towns and cities around the UK. It comprised the local stations previously part of GWR's Mix Network and the Capital Radio Groups local stations.
267:, a year later). All in all, Capital Radio Group controlled 22 analogue and 59 digital radio licences. In July 1998, Capital Radio Group bought the financially troubled "alternative" radio station,
1359:
1344:
1314:
430:
the merger, rumours had abounded about disagreements between Bernard and Mansfield about the future direction of the company, and this was compounded by a £184m loss in the
417:(Friday 10 pm to 1 am) and Hairbrush Divas (Saturday 7 pm to 10 pm). All stations then take a Non-Stop Party show (Saturday 10 pm to 1 am).
1319:
1304:
155:
1309:
1349:
207:
Capital Radio Group was, until May 2005, a London-based British radio group. The company was originally set up to operate a General Entertainment
1329:
1324:
274:
In the early 21st century, Capital Radio Group expanded its range of FM stations, and also started broadcasting digital-only stations, such as
1339:
1051:
468:, came with a price tag of £75m. Eventually, after bids as low as £25m were placed and interest waned, GCap Media called off the sale.
443:, a stream of executives from the former Capital Radio Group side of the business left the company, including David Mansfield himself.
506:– directly turning her back on the 'digital future' policy of her predecessor. It was announced that GCap had sold its interest in
325:
1066:
187:
for £375 million. This was completed on 6 June 2008, and the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Global Radio.
1222:
1021:
972:
880:
478:
1083:
978:
543:
conducted an investigation into the take-over of GCap by Global, and cleared it in August 2008, on the condition that
515:
498:
In the late December 2007, Fru Hazlitt was appointed CEO. Under pressure from a £313m share offer to the board from
503:
938:
356:
490:
recovered from that, leaving the new CEO with a difficult task to rebuild share value for the shareholders.
295:
208:
1251:
1171:
540:
348:
298:
stations in the UK. The letters "GWR" were chosen because its launch coincided with the reopening of the
1334:
897:
652:
571:
431:
425:
The two groups officially "tied the knot" on 9 May 2005, with GCap employees being given branded 'GCap'
299:
215:
was the second legal commercial radio station to launch in the UK, a few days after London news station
176:
950:
352:
228:
1299:
1197:
406:
344:
1048:
240:
219:. In the 1980s, the station was allowed to operate separate services on the AM and FM stations.
988:
798:
705:
329:
306:
260:
248:
843:
727:
610:
560:
1055:
1001:
968:
809:
786:
757:
687:
670:
658:
647:
588:
318:
291:
290:
GWR Group was a British radio company with major assets, including the nationwide station
244:
944:
932:
833:
722:
605:
440:
426:
409:
had given GWR permission to begin programme-networking across many of its FM stations.
275:
180:
141:
1198:"FE Investegate -GCAP Media PLC Announcements - GCAP Media PLC: Strategy Presentation"
1146:
1293:
910:
821:
762:
681:
453:
333:
252:
212:
117:
956:
849:
827:
780:
676:
641:
548:
499:
465:
279:
232:
184:
146:
97:
1227:
1026:
922:
838:
739:
733:
717:
507:
457:
414:
314:
264:
154:"GWR Group" redirects here. For the current train operator with this name, see
792:
774:
751:
745:
693:
600:
461:
256:
236:
867:
768:
711:
664:
556:
552:
332:, and other small shareholders. Until the merger, the group was chaired by
392:
1999: Digital One begins broadcasting; launches Internet radio broadcasts.
1120:
984:
926:
861:
803:
699:
635:
614:
567:
962:
519:
337:
39:
855:
815:
629:
511:
436:
164:
was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the
255:
in Wales, were also purchased in the 90s. Capital also acquired the
17:
1284:
263:
to acquire its radio stations (subsequently selling the station to
1121:"radio-now.co.uk: Galaxy 101 sold by Chrysalis Radio to Vibe FM"
544:
224:
1279:
883:– quasi-national network, broadcasting in the following areas:
527:
310:
268:
216:
190:
On 1 November 2008, Global Radio discontinued using the name
183:. On 31 March 2008, the company agreed on a takeover by the
175:
The merger was completed on 9 May 2005. It was listed on the
1106:
Sounds Of Our Life: The Story of Independent Radio in the UK
477:
existing Capital Gold AM licences to form a new station,
374:
1985: Wiltshire Radio merges with Radio West to form GWR.
900:– National Digital Station also on Sky and Virgin Media.
435:
group. Over the following months, amid rumours of a GWR
494:
Withdrawal from DAB and disposal of "non-core" stations
1355:
Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange
305:
Between 1996 and 1999, GWR was a major shareholder in
1067:
Global Radio/GCap Media deal is a watershed for radio
1049:
Fru Hazlitt and Richard Eyre to leave GCap Media plc
452:
commentators. The nine stations, which included the
140:
132:
111:
103:
92:
77:
62:
54:
46:
1360:Defunct mass media companies of the United Kingdom
1345:Radio broadcasting companies of the United Kingdom
1145:Wray, Richard; Plunkett, John (24 November 2007).
981:- sold to Malcolm Bluemel's 'Rock Show' consortium
328:(majority share), various asset management firms,
336:, and its head office was in the Passage Street,
563:were sold to satisfy the competition concerns.
156:Great Western Railway (train operating company)
386:1996: GWR acquires full control of Classic FM.
1285:Save Planet Rock – Listeners Campaign Website
522:, would be closing by the end of March 2008.
8:
566:On 23 September 2008, it was announced that
317:radio stations. These stations were sold to
32:
1315:Mass media companies disestablished in 2008
1172:"GCap shares continue to fall – RadioToday"
1147:"GCap boss quits after 25 years with group"
439:, and continuing dissatisfaction from the
371:1982: Wiltshire Radio begins broadcasting.
31:
1320:British companies disestablished in 2008
1305:Mass media companies established in 2005
1223:"Global to sell stations including BRMB"
1013:
570:had been sold to Folder Media, leaving
380:1988: GWR joins Classic FM partnership.
343:During its existence, GWR acquired the
1310:British companies established in 2005
383:1992: Classic FM begins broadcasting.
7:
1350:Mass media companies based in London
1252:"Folder Media buys GCap's Fun Radio"
1250:Plunkett, John (23 September 2008).
514:, and that "non-core" DAB stations,
309:, which owned and operated London's
481:, which launched on 3 August 2007.
389:1998: GWR wins Digital One license.
1022:"Global to acquire GCap for £375m"
27:British radio broadcasting company
25:
447:Restructure and the 'failed sale'
1280:Global Radio corporate home page
574:as GCap's only digital station.
326:Daily Mail and General Trust plc
38:
368:1981: Wiltshire Radio is found.
935:– sold to the KM Group in 2002
1:
1330:2008 mergers and acquisitions
1325:2005 mergers and acquisitions
1108:. John Libbey Publishing Ltd.
973:Town and Country Broadcasting
395:2000: GWR acquires DMG Radio.
259:stations in 2000, as well as
179:and was a constituent of the
1340:Daily Mail and General Trust
905:Internet television stations
377:1987: GWR Group goes public.
294:and an extensive network of
1376:
446:
153:
1054:15 September 2008 at the
421:GCap – The merged company
211:service in October 1973.
37:
953:– closed 11 January 2008
941:– closed 20 January 2006
535:Takeover by Global Radio
472:Classic Gold acquisition
357:East Anglian Radio Group
122:Steve Orchard (2005–08),
875:AM local radio stations
583:National radio stations
302:, in Bristol, in 1985.
296:independent local radio
209:Independent Local Radio
126:David Mansfield (2005),
965:– closed 31 March 2008
959:– closed 31 March 2008
541:Office of Fair Trading
349:Mid Anglia Radio Group
124:Fru Hazlitt (2007–08),
1202:www.investegate.co.uk
947:– closed 29 June 2007
892:Digital-only stations
432:market capitalisation
359:, to name but a few.
300:Great Western Railway
177:London Stock Exchange
485:Ralph Bernard leaves
353:Chiltern Radio Group
229:Southern Radio Group
1125:www.radio-now.co.uk
561:Heart East Midlands
407:The Radio Authority
345:Marcher Radio Group
251:in Oxfordshire and
227:, and in 1994, the
203:Capital Radio Group
166:Capital Radio Group
128:Ashley Tabor (2008)
34:
1178:. 23 November 2007
989:HIT Entertainment
330:Sir Peter Michael
324:GWR was owned by
307:London News Radio
261:Border Television
152:
151:
16:(Redirected from
1367:
1267:
1266:
1264:
1262:
1247:
1241:
1240:
1238:
1236:
1231:. 11 August 2008
1219:
1213:
1212:
1210:
1208:
1194:
1188:
1187:
1185:
1183:
1176:radiotoday.co.uk
1168:
1162:
1161:
1159:
1157:
1142:
1136:
1135:
1133:
1131:
1116:
1110:
1109:
1101:
1095:
1094:
1092:
1090:
1084:"History of GWR"
1080:
1074:
1064:
1058:
1046:
1040:
1039:
1037:
1035:
1018:
844:South Hams Radio
728:GWR FM Wiltshire
688:97.6 Chiltern FM
682:96.9 Chiltern FM
88:
86:
73:
71:
42:
35:
21:
1375:
1374:
1370:
1369:
1368:
1366:
1365:
1364:
1290:
1289:
1276:
1271:
1270:
1260:
1258:
1249:
1248:
1244:
1234:
1232:
1221:
1220:
1216:
1206:
1204:
1196:
1195:
1191:
1181:
1179:
1170:
1169:
1165:
1155:
1153:
1144:
1143:
1139:
1129:
1127:
1118:
1117:
1113:
1104:Stoller, Tony.
1103:
1102:
1098:
1088:
1086:
1082:
1081:
1077:
1069:Chris Tryhorn,
1065:
1061:
1056:Wayback Machine
1047:
1043:
1033:
1031:
1030:. 31 March 2008
1020:
1019:
1015:
1010:
1002:The One Network
998:
969:Xfm South Wales
919:
917:Former stations
907:
894:
877:
858:(Harlow, Essex)
758:Leicester Sound
742:(Milton Keynes)
671:95.8 Capital FM
659:Radio Broadland
644:(Wolverhampton)
623:
621:The One Network
597:
585:
580:
537:
496:
487:
474:
449:
423:
402:
365:
319:Chrysalis Radio
288:
205:
200:
159:
127:
125:
123:
121:
114:
84:
82:
69:
67:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1373:
1371:
1363:
1362:
1357:
1352:
1347:
1342:
1337:
1332:
1327:
1322:
1317:
1312:
1307:
1302:
1292:
1291:
1288:
1287:
1282:
1275:
1274:External links
1272:
1269:
1268:
1242:
1214:
1189:
1163:
1137:
1111:
1096:
1075:
1073:. 1 April 2008
1059:
1041:
1012:
1011:
1009:
1006:
1005:
1004:
997:
994:
993:
992:
982:
976:
975:on 31 May 2008
966:
960:
954:
948:
945:Capital Disney
942:
936:
933:KMFM West Kent
930:
925:– sold to the
918:
915:
914:
913:
906:
903:
902:
901:
893:
890:
885:
884:
876:
873:
872:
871:
865:
859:
853:
847:
841:
836:
834:SGR Colchester
831:
825:
819:
813:
807:
801:
799:Plymouth Sound
796:
790:
784:
778:
772:
766:
760:
755:
749:
743:
737:
736:(Peterborough)
731:
725:
723:GWR FM Bristol
720:
715:
709:
703:
697:
691:
685:
679:
674:
668:
662:
656:
650:
645:
639:
633:
622:
619:
618:
617:
608:
606:Xfm Manchester
603:
596:
593:
592:
591:
584:
581:
579:
578:Stations owned
576:
536:
533:
495:
492:
486:
483:
473:
470:
448:
445:
427:digital radios
422:
419:
401:
398:
397:
396:
393:
390:
387:
384:
381:
378:
375:
372:
369:
364:
361:
287:
284:
276:Capital Disney
204:
201:
199:
196:
181:FTSE 250 Index
150:
149:
144:
138:
137:
134:
130:
129:
115:
112:
109:
108:
105:
101:
100:
94:
90:
89:
79:
75:
74:
64:
60:
59:
56:
52:
51:
48:
44:
43:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1372:
1361:
1358:
1356:
1353:
1351:
1348:
1346:
1343:
1341:
1338:
1336:
1333:
1331:
1328:
1326:
1323:
1321:
1318:
1316:
1313:
1311:
1308:
1306:
1303:
1301:
1298:
1297:
1295:
1286:
1283:
1281:
1278:
1277:
1273:
1257:
1253:
1246:
1243:
1230:
1229:
1224:
1218:
1215:
1203:
1199:
1193:
1190:
1177:
1173:
1167:
1164:
1152:
1148:
1141:
1138:
1126:
1122:
1115:
1112:
1107:
1100:
1097:
1085:
1079:
1076:
1072:
1068:
1063:
1060:
1057:
1053:
1050:
1045:
1042:
1029:
1028:
1023:
1017:
1014:
1007:
1003:
1000:
999:
995:
990:
986:
983:
980:
977:
974:
970:
967:
964:
961:
958:
955:
952:
949:
946:
943:
940:
937:
934:
931:
928:
924:
921:
920:
916:
912:
911:Classic FM TV
909:
908:
904:
899:
896:
895:
891:
889:
882:
879:
878:
874:
869:
866:
863:
860:
857:
854:
851:
848:
846:(Kingsbridge)
845:
842:
840:
837:
835:
832:
829:
826:
823:
822:Red Dragon FM
820:
817:
814:
811:
808:
805:
802:
800:
797:
794:
791:
788:
785:
783:(Northampton)
782:
779:
776:
773:
770:
767:
764:
763:Marcher Sound
761:
759:
756:
753:
750:
747:
744:
741:
740:Horizon Radio
738:
735:
732:
729:
726:
724:
721:
719:
716:
713:
710:
707:
704:
701:
698:
695:
692:
689:
686:
683:
680:
678:
675:
672:
669:
666:
663:
660:
657:
654:
651:
649:
646:
643:
640:
637:
634:
632:(Bournemouth)
631:
628:
627:
626:
620:
616:
613:– previously
612:
609:
607:
604:
602:
599:
598:
594:
590:
587:
586:
582:
577:
575:
573:
569:
564:
562:
558:
554:
550:
546:
542:
534:
532:
529:
523:
521:
517:
513:
509:
505:
501:
493:
491:
484:
482:
480:
471:
469:
467:
463:
459:
455:
454:Marcher Group
444:
442:
438:
433:
428:
420:
418:
416:
410:
408:
399:
394:
391:
388:
385:
382:
379:
376:
373:
370:
367:
366:
362:
360:
358:
354:
350:
346:
341:
339:
335:
334:Ralph Bernard
331:
327:
322:
320:
316:
312:
308:
303:
301:
297:
293:
285:
283:
281:
277:
272:
270:
266:
262:
258:
254:
253:Red Dragon FM
250:
246:
242:
238:
234:
230:
226:
220:
218:
214:
213:Capital Radio
210:
202:
197:
195:
193:
188:
186:
182:
178:
173:
171:
167:
163:
157:
148:
145:
143:
139:
135:
131:
119:
118:Ralph Bernard
116:
110:
106:
102:
99:
95:
91:
80:
76:
65:
61:
57:
53:
49:
45:
41:
36:
30:
19:
1335:Global Radio
1259:. Retrieved
1256:The Guardian
1255:
1245:
1233:. Retrieved
1226:
1217:
1205:. Retrieved
1201:
1192:
1180:. Retrieved
1175:
1166:
1154:. Retrieved
1151:The Guardian
1150:
1140:
1128:. Retrieved
1124:
1114:
1105:
1099:
1087:. Retrieved
1078:
1071:The Guardian
1070:
1062:
1044:
1032:. Retrieved
1025:
1016:
957:Capital Life
886:
864:(Nottingham)
830:(Gloucester)
828:Severn Sound
781:Northants 96
754:(Barnstaple)
748:(Whitstable)
702:(Chelmsford)
677:Champion 103
655:(Birmingham)
642:Beacon Radio
624:
611:Xfm Scotland
595:XFM stations
565:
549:Beacon Radio
538:
524:
500:Global Radio
497:
488:
475:
466:West Country
456:stations in
450:
424:
411:
403:
342:
323:
304:
289:
280:Capital Life
273:
231:which owned
221:
206:
191:
189:
185:Global Radio
174:
169:
165:
161:
160:
147:Global Radio
136:Broadcasting
104:Headquarters
98:Global Radio
47:Company type
29:
1228:Digital Spy
1027:Digital Spy
979:Planet Rock
923:KMFM Medway
870:(Worcester)
852:(Portslade)
850:Southern FM
839:SGR Ipswich
812:(Cambridge)
734:Hereward FM
718:GWR FM Bath
690:(Dunstable)
516:Planet Rock
508:Digital One
458:North Wales
415:School Daze
400:Programming
315:News Direct
265:Granada plc
233:Southern FM
1300:GCap Media
1294:Categories
1119:radionow.
1008:References
971:– sold to
793:Orchard FM
775:Mercury FM
771:(Coventry)
752:Lantern FM
746:Invicta FM
694:Coast 96.3
601:Xfm London
589:Classic FM
462:Orchard FM
292:Classic FM
257:Century FM
237:Invicta FM
198:Pre-merger
192:GCap Media
162:GCap Media
120:(2005–07),
113:Key people
96:Bought by
33:GCap Media
985:Fun Radio
939:The Storm
868:Wyvern FM
824:(Cardiff)
806:(Fareham)
789:(Fareham)
777:(Crawley)
769:Mercia FM
765:(Wrexham)
730:(Swindon)
712:Gemini FM
684:(Bedford)
667:(Wrexham)
665:Buzz 97.1
661:(Norwich)
638:(Reading)
568:Fun Radio
557:Wyvern FM
553:Mercia FM
363:Key dates
321:in 2002.
286:GWR Group
170:GWR Group
1261:10 March
1235:10 March
1207:10 March
1182:10 March
1156:10 March
1130:10 March
1089:10 March
1052:Archived
1034:10 March
996:See also
927:KM Group
862:Trent FM
804:Power FM
795:(Yeovil)
787:Ocean FM
714:(Exeter)
708:(Cowley)
700:Essex FM
696:(Bangor)
673:(London)
648:Beat 106
636:2-Ten FM
615:Beat 106
245:Ocean FM
241:Power FM
133:Products
55:Industry
963:theJazz
929:in 2002
818:(Derby)
520:theJazz
464:in the
338:Bristol
83: (
78:Defunct
68: (
63:Founded
50:Defunct
987:(with
856:Ten 17
816:RAM FM
706:Fox FM
630:2CR FM
559:, and
512:Arqiva
437:putsch
249:Fox FM
142:Parent
107:London
898:Chill
572:Chill
58:Media
1263:2018
1237:2018
1209:2018
1184:2018
1158:2018
1132:2018
1091:2018
1036:2018
951:Core
881:Gold
810:Q103
653:BRMB
545:BRMB
539:The
518:and
479:Gold
460:and
441:City
355:and
313:and
278:and
225:BRMB
168:and
93:Fate
85:2008
81:2008
70:2005
66:2005
18:GCap
528:XFM
510:to
504:DAB
311:LBC
269:Xfm
217:LBC
172:.
1296::
1254:.
1225:.
1200:.
1174:.
1149:.
1123:.
1024:.
555:,
551:,
547:,
351:,
347:,
340:.
282:.
271:.
247:,
243:,
239:,
235:,
194:.
1265:.
1239:.
1211:.
1186:.
1160:.
1134:.
1093:.
1038:.
991:)
158:.
87:)
72:)
20:)
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