The Local Radio Company
Encyclopedia
The Local Radio Company is a British media company, originally based in High Wycombe
, Buckinghamshire
, that owns ten independent local radio
stations in the UK. After takeover talks with UTV Media, UKRD Group
and Hallwood Financial, UKRD successfully acquired the majority share of the company in June 2009.
In the past, all stations owned by the group, except Fire Radio, broadcast under a contemporary music format known as Music:fun:life. However this was generally not deemed a success so, after the departure of Group Programme Director Gordon Davidson in June 2006 to Emap
, most stations developed their own branding.
The playlist offers a mix of new and classic pop music, with some special programming such as Party Anthems or Soul on Sunday. Network
programmes broadcast by the group include The Lunchtime Gameshow which returned to the network after a break of 2 years in November 2008, hosted by John Harding and Russ Leighton broadcasting from Minster FM
in York
to the Northern TLRC stations; the hit40uk
chart show; the urban chart show Fresh 40
and the Fierce Angel Radio Show on Saturday nights.
For 6 months in 2008 there were 2 new networked shows on the group including the Saturday Afternoon show with Tim West (which not all stations took) and the Network Weekend Breakfast Show with Danny Mathews (previously on Capital Gold
, Key 103
, Century and the Magic Network). This was short-lived and, although the shows were well-received by the audience / RAJAR
, the shows' contracts were only 6-months long and, due to the selling of many stations, these shows ceased in late 2008.
Former networked shows, such as the evening music and comedy show Simon James and Hill and late-night phone-in North-South Divided (which was broadcast jointly from studios in London
and Durham
to pitch listeners in the South of England against those in the North), have been dropped in favour of more music-based shows that reflect the daytime sound of the TLRC stations. Until recently, Sunday afternoons across the network have been dedicated to a premium rate phone-in show hosted by Andy Muir, titled Money on your Mobile.
Network shows were mostly broadcast from Mix 107
in High Wycombe
, although they also sometimes came from the alternative network centres at Isle of Wight Radio
or Minster FM
in York
.
In 2005, TLRC made a large number of acquisitions including full control of east Lancashire
station 2BR
and Bath FM
. New licenses, Durham FM
and Brunel FM
, went on air in 2005 and 2006 respectively. In June 2007, TLRC launched Minster Northallerton
which was moved into Alpha 103.2
's studio outside of the stations border in Darlington
. Before selling them, the company had already moved Bath studios to neighbouring Brunel FM
in Swindon.
In 2007, TLRC station Isle of Wight Radio
won the Sony Radio Academy Award for Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000). In 2008, Silk FM won the same award, having been shortlisted the previous year.
On 30 June 2008 TLRC announced plans to sell six of its stations, 3TR, Bath, Brunel, Ivel, Pennine and Vale, after selling loss-incurring Dune FM
earlier in the month. This was followed by Central FM
in September 2008.
Since then, TLRC has made a licensing agreement with GMG Radio
for three years to run the rebranded jazzfm.com service as Jazz FM on a number of DAB multiplexes, on digital satellite and on the Internet. The station has been live since 6 October 2008, sharing studios with Mix 107
in High Wycombe
.
On 7 January 2009, TLRC placed Jazz FM up for sale following a strategic review of the company. The station was sold to former chairman of TLRC, Richard Wheatly, on 9 April 2009 for the sum of £1.
In 2009, The Local Radio Company was acquired by UKRD and closed or disposed of long-term loss-making stations, as well as re-branding Alpha Radio, Minster Northallerton
and Durham FM
Into Star Radio North East
.
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, that owns ten independent local radio
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
stations in the UK. After takeover talks with UTV Media, UKRD Group
UKRD Group
The UKRD Group Ltd is a British media company which owns 16 commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The name originates from UK Radio Developments.-History:...
and Hallwood Financial, UKRD successfully acquired the majority share of the company in June 2009.
History
TLRC was originally known as Radio Investments Limited until a takeover in 2004.In the past, all stations owned by the group, except Fire Radio, broadcast under a contemporary music format known as Music:fun:life. However this was generally not deemed a success so, after the departure of Group Programme Director Gordon Davidson in June 2006 to Emap
EMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
, most stations developed their own branding.
The playlist offers a mix of new and classic pop music, with some special programming such as Party Anthems or Soul on Sunday. Network
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
programmes broadcast by the group include The Lunchtime Gameshow which returned to the network after a break of 2 years in November 2008, hosted by John Harding and Russ Leighton broadcasting from Minster FM
Minster FM
Minster FM is an independent commercial local radio station based in Dunnington near York, Yorkshire, England and covering the city of York and surrounding areas...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
to the Northern TLRC stations; the hit40uk
Hit40uk
Hit40UK was a networked Top 40 chart show broadcasting on around 130 UK commercial radio stations every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. It is now a TV programme shown on 4Music. The radio version was produced in house by Global Radio and Somethin' Else...
chart show; the urban chart show Fresh 40
Fresh 40
Fresh 40 was a networked dance and urban music singles chart show broadcast on a number of UK commercial radio stations every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. The show was produced by Somethin' Else. The radio show was launched on Sunday 22nd of October 2006, and counts down the top 40 R'n'B and dance songs...
and the Fierce Angel Radio Show on Saturday nights.
For 6 months in 2008 there were 2 new networked shows on the group including the Saturday Afternoon show with Tim West (which not all stations took) and the Network Weekend Breakfast Show with Danny Mathews (previously on Capital Gold
Capital Gold
Gold is a network of oldies radio stations which was formed by the merger of the Capital Gold network and the Classic Gold Network in August 2007...
, Key 103
Key 103
Key 103 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the city of Manchester and the north west of England. Its output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. Formerly owned by Trans World Communications, EMAP and now by Bauer Radio, Key 103 is part of Bauer's Place Network of...
, Century and the Magic Network). This was short-lived and, although the shows were well-received by the audience / RAJAR
RAJAR
RAJAR was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry in the United Kingdom. RAJAR is jointly owned by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the RadioCentre...
, the shows' contracts were only 6-months long and, due to the selling of many stations, these shows ceased in late 2008.
Former networked shows, such as the evening music and comedy show Simon James and Hill and late-night phone-in North-South Divided (which was broadcast jointly from studios in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
to pitch listeners in the South of England against those in the North), have been dropped in favour of more music-based shows that reflect the daytime sound of the TLRC stations. Until recently, Sunday afternoons across the network have been dedicated to a premium rate phone-in show hosted by Andy Muir, titled Money on your Mobile.
Network shows were mostly broadcast from Mix 107
Mix 107
Mix 107 was a radio station, based in High Wycombe, England . It developed from an AM licence known as Elevenseventy and its successor operation Swan FM. The brand was a result of ownership by The Local Radio Company, owners of Mix 96 in neighbouring Aylesbury...
in High Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
, although they also sometimes came from the alternative network centres at Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990...
or Minster FM
Minster FM
Minster FM is an independent commercial local radio station based in Dunnington near York, Yorkshire, England and covering the city of York and surrounding areas...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
.
In 2005, TLRC made a large number of acquisitions including full control of east Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
station 2BR
2BR
Two Boroughs Radio is a commercial radio station in East Lancashire. It broadcased from studios in the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, then in August 2010 2BR moved to Accrington based 'The Studios' with Sister Station 107 The Bee- About :The station broadcasts from the Pendle Forest...
and Bath FM
Bath FM
Bath FM was a local independent radio station based at the former Weston railway station in Bath, England. The station was launched in November 1999 and closed on 24 March 2010.The station broadcast to an area with a population of 104,000...
. New licenses, Durham FM
Durham FM
Durham FM was an Independent Local Radio station based in Durham, County Durham, England.-History:Since its launch in 2005, Durham FM has been owned and operated by TLRC....
and Brunel FM
Brunel FM
Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right....
, went on air in 2005 and 2006 respectively. In June 2007, TLRC launched Minster Northallerton
Minster Northallerton
Minster Northallerton was an Independent Local Radio station based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England.-History:Prior to launch, Minster Northallerton was originally known as BTN FM, after the principal towns of the area - Bedale, Thirsk and Northallerton...
which was moved into Alpha 103.2
Alpha 103.2
103.2 Alpha Radio was an Independent Local Radio station based in Darlington, County Durham, England.-History:...
's studio outside of the stations border in Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
. Before selling them, the company had already moved Bath studios to neighbouring Brunel FM
Brunel FM
Brunel FM was a UK commercial radio station broadcasting to the town of Swindon and outside areas of close proximity.-Overview:Brunel FM was owned and operated by YMC Ltd, however it was a company in its own right....
in Swindon.
In 2007, TLRC station Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990...
won the Sony Radio Academy Award for Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000). In 2008, Silk FM won the same award, having been shortlisted the previous year.
On 30 June 2008 TLRC announced plans to sell six of its stations, 3TR, Bath, Brunel, Ivel, Pennine and Vale, after selling loss-incurring Dune FM
Dune FM
Dune 107.9 is a radio channel which broadcasts from Southport, covering the town and the surrounding borough of Sefton as well as a large part of neighbouring West Lancashire.- Origins :...
earlier in the month. This was followed by Central FM
Central fm
Central FM is by far the largest and longest serving English commercial radio station broadcasting in Southern Spain. There are now many English stations broadcasting over a similar area on the Costa del Sol, but Central FM leads the way, both in terms of their professional output and...
in September 2008.
Since then, TLRC has made a licensing agreement with GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
for three years to run the rebranded jazzfm.com service as Jazz FM on a number of DAB multiplexes, on digital satellite and on the Internet. The station has been live since 6 October 2008, sharing studios with Mix 107
Mix 107
Mix 107 was a radio station, based in High Wycombe, England . It developed from an AM licence known as Elevenseventy and its successor operation Swan FM. The brand was a result of ownership by The Local Radio Company, owners of Mix 96 in neighbouring Aylesbury...
in High Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
.
On 7 January 2009, TLRC placed Jazz FM up for sale following a strategic review of the company. The station was sold to former chairman of TLRC, Richard Wheatly, on 9 April 2009 for the sum of £1.
In 2009, The Local Radio Company was acquired by UKRD and closed or disposed of long-term loss-making stations, as well as re-branding Alpha Radio, Minster Northallerton
Minster Northallerton
Minster Northallerton was an Independent Local Radio station based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England.-History:Prior to launch, Minster Northallerton was originally known as BTN FM, after the principal towns of the area - Bedale, Thirsk and Northallerton...
and Durham FM
Durham FM
Durham FM was an Independent Local Radio station based in Durham, County Durham, England.-History:Since its launch in 2005, Durham FM has been owned and operated by TLRC....
Into Star Radio North East
Star Radio North East
Star Radio North East is a radio station serving County Durham and North Yorkshire.-History:...
.
Stations
- Star Radio North EastStar Radio North EastStar Radio North East is a radio station serving County Durham and North Yorkshire.-History:...
(County DurhamCounty DurhamCounty Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
/North YorkshireNorth YorkshireNorth Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
) - 2BR2BRTwo Boroughs Radio is a commercial radio station in East Lancashire. It broadcased from studios in the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, then in August 2010 2BR moved to Accrington based 'The Studios' with Sister Station 107 The Bee- About :The station broadcasts from the Pendle Forest...
(BurnleyBurnleyBurnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
) - Minster FMMinster FMMinster FM is an independent commercial local radio station based in Dunnington near York, Yorkshire, England and covering the city of York and surrounding areas...
(North YorkshireNorth YorkshireNorth Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
) - Mix 96Mix 96 (Aylesbury)Mix 96 is the Independent Local Radio station for the town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England.- History :First airing in 1994, it was the first radio station to gain a permanent licence to broadcast from Aylesbury...
(AylesburyAylesburyAylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
) - Spire FMSpire FMSpire FM was awarded the licence to broadcast to the City of Salisbury and surrounding areas by the former Radio Authority, now OFCOM, in 1991. The capital needed to launch the station was raised entirely from local investors....
(SalisburySalisburySalisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
) - Spirit FMSpirit FMSpirit FM broadcasts to West Sussex from studios in Dukes Court, Chichester - the place it has been since its launch more than 10 years ago. It was previously only available in the South West of the County but gained complete coverage through a transmitter near Midhurst.- History :Spirit FM began...
(West SussexWest SussexWest Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
) - 97.2 Stray FM97.2 Stray FM97.2 Stray FM is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the towns of Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Wetherby and Boroughbridge as well as a large number of other areas in North and West Yorkshire, England...
(HarrogateHarrogateHarrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
) - Sun FMSun FMSun FM is a radio station serving the City of Sunderland and also available in Tyne and Wear, northern parts of County Durham in England. It broadcasts on the frequency 103.4 MHz and plays a mix of contemporary and classic popular music alongside local news, travel and covered ground breaking...
(SunderlandCity of SunderlandThe City of Sunderland is a local government district of Tyne and Wear, in North East England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough...
) - Wessex FMWessex FMWessex FM is a local radio station for the Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport areas of Dorset. All content is broadcast from its studios in Dorchester, however the Big Top 40 Show is a network program...
(DorsetDorsetDorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
) - Yorkshire Coast RadioYorkshire Coast RadioYorkshire Coast Radio is an Independent Local Radio station based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. YCR is officially two Ofcom licenses, one for Scarborough and Whitby in North Yorkshire and one for Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire.-History:For many years several...
(BridlingtonBridlingtonBridlington is a seaside resort, minor sea fishing port and civil parish on the Holderness Coast of the North Sea, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It has a static population of over 33,000, which rises considerably during the tourist season...
/Scarborough)
Sold and closed stations
- 107.3 Abbey FM107.3 Abbey FMAbbey FM was a local radio station for Barrow-in-Furness and the Furness Peninsula. The station ceased transmission at 3pm on 30 January 2009 and was placed into administration with the loss of seven jobs. This followed one of the station's main backers, The Local Radio Company, withdrawing their...
(35%) - ceased broadcasting. - Central 103.1 FMCentral 103.1 FMCentral 103.1 FM is a radio station in the United Kingdom broadcasting to Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire from studios in Falkirk High Street.- Station history :...
- sold to John Quinn. - Pennine FM - sold to Adam Smith and Steve Buck.
- Silk FM (Macclesfield) - sold to Dee 106.3Dee 106.3Dee 106.3 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the city of Chester. It has its studios at 2 Chantry Court in Chester. The transmitter is on top of the Steam Mill building in Chester city centre, next to the Shropshire Union Canal and reaches much of Flintshire.It was the first...
in Cheshire. - Arrow FM (Hastings) - sold to Media Sound Holdings.
- Sovereign Radio (Eastbourne) - sold to Media Sound Holdings.
- Mix 107Mix 107Mix 107 was a radio station, based in High Wycombe, England . It developed from an AM licence known as Elevenseventy and its successor operation Swan FM. The brand was a result of ownership by The Local Radio Company, owners of Mix 96 in neighbouring Aylesbury...
(High Wycombe) - ceased broadcasting. - Isle of Wight RadioIsle of Wight RadioIsle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990...
- sold to its management. - 107.4 The Quay107.4 The QuayThe Breeze is a United Kingdom radio station, broadcasting to the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. The station is operated by Celador and is part of The Breeze network of stations...
(Portsmouth) - Sold to Portsmouth Football Club. - KMFM Shepway and White Cliffs CountryKMFM Shepway and White Cliffs CountryKMFM Shepway and White Cliffs Country is an Independent Local Radio serving the districts of Dover and Shepway and the surrounding areas in Kent, South East England. It is part of the KMFM group of radio stations in the county, which are part of the KM Group....
(formerly Neptune Radio) - sold to the KM GroupKM GroupThe KM Group, formerly known as the Kent Messenger Group until 2008, is a multimedia company based in the county of Kent in South East England...
in 2002. - Dune FMDune FMDune 107.9 is a radio channel which broadcasts from Southport, covering the town and the surrounding borough of Sefton as well as a large part of neighbouring West Lancashire.- Origins :...
- sold to NIOCOMNIOCOMNIOCOM is a company which operates radio stations in the North West of England.-History:NIOCOM's founder, David Duffy, started in broadcasting with Essex Radio in the mid 1980s. In 1990s he joined forces with Phil Houltby to bring together a consortium to secure the commercial radio licence for...
.