Trans World Communications
Encyclopedia
Trans World Communications (or TWC for short) was the investment vehicle businessman Owen Oyston
. It operated radio stations and played a part in the Miss World
Beauty Pageant.
in Preston, Trans World went on to purchase Radio Aire in Leeds
, Red Dragon Radio
in Cardiff
and Piccadilly Radio in Manchester
to form the UK's first radio group.
Perhaps TWC's biggest star was James Whale
whose radio programme was 'networked' from Radio Aire in Yorkshire
to Red Rose Radio in Lancashire
in 1987 and even simulcast on ITV
from Yorkshire Television
's studios from 1989.
. However, EMAP's take over of TWC was originally blocked by The Radio Authority after the ruled EMAP, who already owned 30% of Trans World, would breach local radio ownership restrictions as it meant they would hold eight radio franchises - two more than the legislation of the day allowed. The Guardian Media Group
, which owned 20 per cent of Trans World, wanting to increase its stake but was prevented in doing so due to the national newspapers it owns.
EMAP went onto to acquire further radio stations in the UK until its radio arm was eventually gobbled up itself by the Germany based Bauer Media Group in 2008.
Oyston's company also turned to the beauty business, taking over the Miss World Organisation
and reforming it into Trans World Communications. In 1991, a boardroom battle forced him out and The Miss World brand has been privately owned by the Morley family since.
Owen Oyston
Owen John Oyston is a controversial self-made multimillionaire English businessman who is the majority owner of Blackpool F.C.. He was convicted of rape in 1996 and served three years of a six-year sentence in prison....
. It operated radio stations and played a part in the Miss World
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
Beauty Pageant.
About
Initially called The Red Rose Group because of its beginnings at Red Rose RadioRed Rose Radio
Red Rose Radio is the former name of two radio stations in Lancashire, England. Both are owned by the same company, although they now have different names:* 97.4 Rock FM, "contemporary" format, station has also been named Red Rose Rock FM...
in Preston, Trans World went on to purchase Radio Aire in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Red Dragon Radio
Red Dragon FM
Capital South Wales is a British independent local radio station broadcasting from Cardiff Bay . The station serves Cardiff, Newport and the surrounding areas, broadcasting to a potential audience of around 1 million people...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and Piccadilly Radio in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
to form the UK's first radio group.
Perhaps TWC's biggest star was James Whale
James Whale (radio)
Michael "James" Whale is a British radio and television host. He is known for his plain-speaking, often ascerbic and confrontational, broadcasting style; during phone-ins he frequently hangs up on callers he disagrees with or who do not make their point quickly enough.-Early life:Whale was born...
whose radio programme was 'networked' from Radio Aire in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
to Red Rose Radio in 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...
in 1987 and even simulcast on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network...
's studios from 1989.
Take over
TWC was later taken over by East Midland Allied PressEMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
. However, EMAP's take over of TWC was originally blocked by The Radio Authority after the ruled EMAP, who already owned 30% of Trans World, would breach local radio ownership restrictions as it meant they would hold eight radio franchises - two more than the legislation of the day allowed. The Guardian Media Group
Guardian Media Group
Guardian Media Group plc is a company of the United Kingdom owning various mass media operations including The Guardian and The Observer. The Group is owned by the Scott Trust. It was founded as the Manchester Guardian Ltd in 1907 when C. P. Scott bought the Manchester Guardian from the estate of...
, which owned 20 per cent of Trans World, wanting to increase its stake but was prevented in doing so due to the national newspapers it owns.
EMAP went onto to acquire further radio stations in the UK until its radio arm was eventually gobbled up itself by the Germany based Bauer Media Group in 2008.
Oyston's company also turned to the beauty business, taking over the Miss World Organisation
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
and reforming it into Trans World Communications. In 1991, a boardroom battle forced him out and The Miss World brand has been privately owned by the Morley family since.