Simon Mayo Exits Radio 1 for 5 Live Show
27 November 2000

Simon Mayo is leaving Radio 1 and will join BBC Radio 5 Live from May next year, the BBC will reveal today. The news will end weeks of speculation, and confirm a report previously published in The RADIO Magazine that Mayo is to take over the afternoon slot, 1-4pm, five days per week.

Commercial Sector Lose Out on AM Frequencies
As BBC Expand Asian Net
23 November 2000

The BBC is rolling out the BBC Asian Network into five new areas next week.

BBC Asian Network was established in 1996 and was provided as an alternative using the medium wave transmitters of BBC local radio stations in Leicestershire and the Midlands region. Until now it has been available on 837 (Leicester), 1458 and 828 (Midlands).

From Monday 27th November, BBC Asian Network will be broadcast 24-hours-per-day on the AM transmitters of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. The AM transmitters of Radio Derby, Sheffield, Leeds and Lancashire will carry BBC Asian Network during evenings and at weekends, although this is expected to be increased in the future.

Vijay Sharma, Editor of BBC Asian Network, said: “I am delighted the BBC is making our service more easily available to people across the country. We have steadily expanded from programmes on BBC local radio stations in Leicester and Birmingham to become a full-time network on digital satellite and the Internet. This latest move to get us on more radios is most important and welcome.”

BBC Asian Network could be included in a portfolio of five new national digital radio stations planned by the BBC. Those plans were in a consultation period which ended last week. If the BBC wants to go-ahead it is expected to seek approval of the DCMS.

Shortwave Campaigner Takes Case to OFT
21 November 2000

The Office of Fair Trading has been asked to investigate a complaint against Merlin Communications International Limited that holds the sole UK licence for short wave.

Merlin broadcasts BBC World Service and transmits programmes for overseas state radios, as well as for a variety of private organisations and also some output for itself.

The complaint, issued by Trevor Brook who devised the concept of Radiofax, an independent science, technology and media short wave station, cites Merlin's monopoly of short wave broadcasting as a possible contravention of the 1973 Fair Trading Act since the Government will not grant a short wave licence to anybody else. BBC World Service transmission was privatised in 1997. Brook told The RADIO Magazine the various transmitting facilities were not split, nor were potential new operators invited. Merlin, a management-led outfit, was given the contract. In contrast, BBC domestic transmission, privatised at the same time, became Castle Communications and was not granted a monopoly since it shares the market with NTL. Merlin broadcasts independent stations on short wave from British soil.

Since Trevor Brook first requested a licence in 1984 the government has claimed there is no capacity on the 993 short wave channels and refused to issue a licence. This led him, in August 1997, to take the issue to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, where the Government not only used the frequency argument but further claimed that to allow any other station on short wave would destroy Britain's reputation and credibility abroad. The court recently ruled that under human rights law the United Kingdom Government could not be compelled to permit independent stations on short wave because it did allow independent operators on the medium wave and FM bands.

Trevor Brook said: "I have written to the Director General of Fair Trading, John Vickers, to request that he use his powers to look into this apparent monopoly. Stories about lack of frequencies on short wave are no truer than identical claims about medium wave and FM in the days before several hundred independent transmitters took to the air. The dishonest Government policy, concocted by civil servants, may now end up damaging innocent operators in this field."

Capital Gold Wants To Ditch Old Image
14th November 2000

A few days after re-branding of 95.8 Capital FM, Capital Gold has received a new brand image, which Capital Radio says it designed to remove any perceptions of "Old" from Gold.

The new logo— created by Design Motive is being backed by a marketing campaign focused on bringing Capital Gold's “unique music proposition to life”, by reminding consumers of the quality of Gold's playlist.

Twelve different images of key Gold artists will be used in a heavyweight bus back campaign on 850 London buses, which will run from this week and continue throughout 2001. The artists featured in the campaign include some of the most successful popular music acts ever, including The Beatles, Jagger, Hendrix, Bowie, Blondie, ABBA, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Sting, and Tina Turner- reflecting what the company claims is the station's unique and wide ranging playlist. The marketing campaign follows the launch of Capital Gold's new Autumn schedule. It includes the introduction of a specialist daily music show called The 6 0'Clock Show. So far the series has produced a Motown special, Rock Anthems, Atlantic Soul and a John Lennon special. Forthcoming shows will include a Tom Jones special on November 20th, one hit wonders 21st and the definitive Queen chart on November 24th, the day Rock Legend Freddie Mercury died 9 years ago. 60's Music Authority, Mike Sweeney hosts a new Saturday show called Cream of the 60's and Glam Rock legend, Noddy Holder will present two new shows. Noddy's Saturday Night Fever and Noddy's Seventies Sunday Show.

Capital Gold Programme Controller Andy Turner said: "The music from these artists is timeless and as relevant today as ever. It's simply great music, whether you are hearing the songs for the first time or celebrating a great song from your past. You only need to look at the massive anticipation for the new Beatles album "1", or the recent press interest in the sale of John Lennon's piano to bear this out. Capital Gold offers a unique music format. Music is the star of the station."

Paula Gunn, Marketing Manager for Capital Gold added: "The fresh new logo design and marketing campaign will challenge long outdated perceptions of Capital Gold and encourage new trial. It sees Gold well placed for the digital revolution. The creative executions focus entirely on the strength of the Capital Gold product, it's unique proposition and commitment to playing the very best music from the 60's 70's and 80's 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Capital Gold is all about great music and the images reflect the passion of the station."

Fusion Radio Involved in Local Television Plans
9th November 2000

A new company, Your-TV & Radio Plc, is seeking to raise funds and get a listing on OFEX with plans to acquire and operate local RSL television stations around the country. The new company has also an option to acquire 3.9% of the Fusion Radio Group, which was established by Nigel Reeve, and which owns three local commercial stations and which has its own national sales house which represents around 20 stations around the country.

Your-TV & Radio says it will use the £1.1m raised to acquire six RSL television stations. It says there are “opportunities...to acquire and develop under-performing existing local radio licences, which would be incorporated into local TV infrastructure with cost-cutting and advertising revenue benefits.”

A second round of funding, to raise £3 million, would aim to acquire local television rights, set up a production facility. The company is headed by Chairman Brian Sturgess, and Aniz Manji, who is also a director of Fusion Radio Group. Manji said: “We are currently pursuing a number of initiatives and in discussions for the acquisition of certain local television licences. We are developing strategies to establish production facilities and programme content. “Our objective is to build a network of operational local television and radio stations across the United Kingdom therefore achieving operational synergies and profitability.”

Your –TV & Radio Plc says of the commercial radio industry: “This is a fragmented industry with approximately 240 licences issued of which the large media groups own some 140. The remaining 100 stations are independent or owned by smaller groups. Whilst at present many tend to be loss making and obtain very little revenue from the national advertising market, commercial radio revenue as a whole has increased by approximately 48% between 1996 and 1999. This trend is set to continue with a prediction that commercial radio will out perform all other forms of media advertising with an average growth rate of 6.37% per annum over the next three years compared to all advertising growth rate of 3.07% over the same period.”

GWR Takes 100% of Marcher Radio Group
8th November 2000

GWR Group has increased its shareholding in the Marcher Radio Group from 20% to 100%, it has been announced.

GWR had earlier taken a 20% stake in the five station grouping, and given the five stations national advertising sales representation by the GWR-owned sales operation, Opus. Marcher was with Clear Channel.

However, as the Radio Authority ruled recently that GWR was in "effective" control of Marcher Radio Group, and the five stations were being accounted for in GWR's total in the ownership points table, the move to take complete ownership is seen as something to have been expected.

Josh Easby becomes Managing Director of the Marcher Group. The New Zealander is currently Executive Chairman of Minster Radio Group and Stray FM.

Sarah Smithard becoems Sales Director for the Marcher Radio Group. She has been with GWR for more than ten years. Working alongside her is Clive Douthwaite.

Programme Controller is Graham Ledger. Godfrey Williams remains as Non-Executive Chairman.

GWR Reports Strong Growth
7th November 2000

GWR Group has reported interim results for the six month period to 30 September 2000 showing strong growth in revenues and profits, particularly for Classic FM. Turnover was up 23.7% at £58.7 million. The company said its investments in new media was partly responsible for a decline in pre-tax profits from £9.1m to £6.9m. In the UK

GWR reports revenues increasing by 12%, while operating profits have increased by 21.5%. Classic FM had revenue growth of over 28%. Overseas the company reports Classic FM in Finland is now operating at a small profit. At the beginning of July, GWR completed the acquisition of the DMG Radio Group, giving them another 8 UK licences, the largest commercial radio station in Hungary, and a 25% share in 58 Australian commercial radio licences—and a new licence in Sydney, where GWR has a management services contract. Subsequently, GWR was forced by ownership restrictions in Britain, to dispose of 12 AM licences to UBC Media (see separate story). Last week GWR completed its £12.1 million purchase of the Marcher Radio Group.

Henry Meakin, Chairman of GWR Group, said: “GWR is operating in a dynamic and fast growing environment and the climate is forecast to remain exceptionally healthy. There are a host of opportunities for the group especially within digital radio and in the Internet, both of which are at an early stage, and where the big rewards will be felt in years to come. The future holds considerable promise for GWR.”

The Group is hopeful that the Communications Reform White Paper, due to be published soon, will propose a more progressive ownership regime based on conventional competition law. It is thought the White Paper will also propose longer licence periods, greater control on the competitive freedom of the BBC and support for digital radio.

Lancashire Station Fined by Radio Authority
6th November 2000

The Radio Authority has fined East Lancashire station, Asian Sound Radio, £1000 for breaching its Format agreement.

The station failed to broadcast its Gujerati output over a two week period in September. The station is required under its agreement to provide a service to the Gujerati-speaking community, as outlined in its original application for the licence.

The Radio Authority had been forced to issue a formal warning to Asian Sound Radio about a similar breach in October 1997. The station went on-air in June 1996.

Mix 96 Licence Re-Awarded
6th November 2000

The Radio Authority has re-awarded Mix 96’s licence after considering it under the so-called “special application procedure” by which a company is able to submit an abbreviated application. This happens when, having pre-advertised a licence, no competing applicant declares an interest in the licence.

Mix 96, operated by Bucks Broadcasting Ltd, will have its new licence, running for eight years, effective from 15 April 2002.

Capital Radio group-owned FOX FM (First Oxfordshire Radio Company) has a 64.62% shareholding in Bucks Broadcasting Ltd. Bucks Broadcasting Ltd holds investments in a number of stations, including 32.5% of Arrow FM (Hastings), 30% in The Wolf (Wolverhampton), 38.3% of Centre FM (south-east Staffordshire) and 30% of FM102 The Bear (Stratford-upon-Avon).

Record Quarter 3 Advertising Revenue
6th November 2000

National advertising revenue continued to grow in dramatic fashion between July and September reaching £95,500,000—up 19.5% year-on-year. This is the highest-ever recorded figure produced for quarter three results. The total revenue - which includes local — for the period rose by 9.8% to £129,500,000.

The biggest spenders included COI, who spent £2,784,488 (up 29.5% year-on-year) and Carphone Warehouse who spent £2,186,357 (up 11.9%).

McCoy Out - Ball's In At Dream 100
6th November 2000

Gary Ball, formally of Cambridge Red, has been appointed as Programme Controller at Dream 100fm. He took over the position from Gavin McCoy who is leaving to due to the introduction of more live output on Saga’s Primetime Radio, where he presents the breakfast show. Much of Primetime Radio’s output had been Internet Voice-tracked but it has recently moved towards more live output. McCoy has been programming Dream 100fm and carrying out consultancy work for Tindle Radio, both in the UK and Ireland. He is expected to be commissioned again in the future.

Gary—who has been shadowing Gavin McCoy for a fortnight—said "I am looking forward to the new challenges at Dream 100fm and am excited about being involved with Tindle Radio (Guernsey) Ltd.". Kevin Stewart, Chief Executive, said: "Gary comes to us with a lot of radio experience and as well as programming he will help to develop sponsorships and promotions at Dream 100fm. Gary has a lot of enthusiasm and drive and will be a huge asset to Dream 100fm.".

Lincs FM Wins Sixth Licence
6th November 2000

Lincs FM plc has become a six-station grouping after the award by the Radio Authority of a new licence to the company. The Compass FM application for the new Grimsby licence was awarded subject to the Radio Authority making a positive public interest determination, which, in turn, is subject to Compass FM agreeing to certain conditions. Lincs FM already serves the area that the new station will serve.

There had been three applications for the small-scale licence which will give coverage of Grimsby and Cleethorpes and the immediately surrounding area. The other stations in the Lincs FM grouping are Fosseway Radio, Lincs FM 102.2, Ridings FM, Rutland Radio and Trax FM.

A spokesperson for the Radio Authority would not detail what the “certain conditions” referred to might include, although aspects of the proposed station programming are thought most likely. Lincs FM’s Jane Hill told The RADIO Magazine the station would provide an excellent service for the Grimsby area.

RAJAR Figures Released
Round Up of Winners & Losers
6th November 2000

As usual the latest Rajar figures contain their share of winners and losers, with some stations having good reason to celebrate. However, a few more will be spending rather more time analysing the figures in an attempt to turn the tide and start moving upwards again.

The latest RAJAR figures cover Quarter 3, 2000— the period until 17th September—and they show the BBC’s market share at 51.4% compared to 46.97% for the commercial sector. However, the BBC only just beat its commercial rivals numerically by attracting 31,168,000 listeners, compared to 31,148,000 for the independent stations. Radio 5 Live saw a reversal of past growth losing 410,000 listeners compared to the last quarter. Radios 1, 2, 3, and 4 saw improvement in their weekly reach and share.

For national commercial stations it was a mixed picture. The New Atlantic 252, subject of an expensive promotion campaign and a relaunch, the latest RAJAR results show a 4% improvement in reach giving the station 1,519,000 adult (15+) listeners a week compared to 1,449,000 last time. In the station’s core market, 15-24 year old’s, reach is up 23% and hours are up 14%. In the 15-34 demo reach is up 11% and hours are up by 6%. Managing Director of the Rhythm & Dance station, John O’Hara, said: “All of our efforts this year have been focused on our core 15-34 year old audience. These results confirm that Atlantic 252 has a winning formula for attracting this illusive market.” Sales Director Steve Johnson pointed out further success: “Since relaunch in January our 15-34 year old audience has grown by a massive 40%. Our high profile marketing campaign will grow our audience further…..”

Classic FM records 6,053,000 listeners this time compared to 6,203,000 last with resultant decline in total hours and market share, but this did not stop the station’s Managing Director & Programme Controller, Roger Lewis, proclaiming: “We are the UK’s first choice for classical music listening by a considerable margin….Clear blue water has certainly been created between ourselves and our rivals…” BBC Radio 3, meanwhile, actually saw 61,000 listeners added to their tally bringing the number up to 2,012,000.

Wireless Group’s national talkSPORT added 2% to its weekly reach growing from 2,009,000 a week to 2,053,000. The station says the number of men, aged 15-34 increased by 78% year-on-year. Kelvin MacKenzie said: “These increases vindicate everything we have done to reposition the station.”

“This has been a solid performance for Virgin Radio during a quarter which has seen a number of innovative changes to the station format and schedule,” said John Pearson, Chief Executive at Virgin Radio. However, the station overall lost audience, but showed gain in hours and market share. The station now has 3,674,000 listeners compared to 3,840,000 last quarter.

In London the first figures for the relaunched BBC London Live were disappointing. Despite the impressive posters and regional TV promos, the station lost 170,000 since the previous quarter (61,000 year-on-year). The BBC are putting a brave face on it, saying it's the first stage of a "tri-media re-branding" and remain confident that they can turn the station around. However, it is a poor start for the station that was supposed to improve on GLR's performance. Although Capital FM remains the undisputed market leader overall, Kiss 100 is now the preferred choice of London's 16-24 age group. The Rajar breakdown shows that Kiss FM has 694,000 listeners in this demographic, while Capital FM has 671,000. However, with just over 1.5 million listeners, Kiss still has some way to go to beat Capital FM’s 2.8 million. Emap Performance Chief Executive Tim Schoonmaker said: “...Kiss 100 is now the station among 15-24 year-olds in London, and with the launch of Kiss TV and its other brand extensions, Kiss is one of the UK’s most powerful youth brands.” Capital Gold is slightly down, although Q3 is traditionally a low month for the station because of the lack of football coverage, while Xfm also shows a drop. Heart 106.2 have suffered a 'blip' this time round, having dropped in reach, hours, average hours and share, especially after posting good figures in Q2. However, year-on-year the station is still up. Jazz FM have achieved their best-ever London figures, with a 14% increase in reach, and an impressive year-on-year increase of total hours by 50%. However, in the NW, their reach is down 10%. Liberty Radio, now under new ownership, continue to bump along the bottom of the London league. With 12,000 fewer listeners than Q2 (and 32,000 below the figures for the same quarter last year), it can only be a matter of months, by extrapolating the graph, before the station runs out of listeners. The new owners have certainly got their work cut out if they're to arrest the decline. The station was recently sold to a religious organisation based in Portugal and who were believed to have paid Mo Fayed’s Liberty Publishing around £3,000,000 for the station which occupies two prime medium wave frequencies to serve the capital. Also on the 'sick list' is Ritz Country 1035, with a 20% drop in reach since the last quarter, and a year-on-year drop in listenership from 248,000 a year ago to its present 103,000. However, the station still notches-up an impressive 10.5 average hours among the capital's country music fans. If enthusiasm has anything to do with a station’s potential, then with Howard Bowles in the steering seat and his absolute love of the station and its output, it would be sad to see this particular station fail. Another couple of stations with loyal listenerships are Premier Christian Radio and LBC 1152, both of which have registered more than 18 average hours a week.

Outside London, several stations in the NW emerge as big winners in the current survey. In Liverpool, Juice continues to leave its trouble past, as Crash, behind with a 33% increase in reach. Tower FM is showing a 25% increase in reach, while 96.2 The Revolution is up 23%. Tower FM Managing Director Barry Machin commented on his station’s achievement saying: “I would like to thank everybody for their fantastic ongoing support...we dared not hope for this results. These high figures firmly establish us as a prime advertising medium for Bolton and Bury.” He added: “Due to our continuing success we are currently extending our coverage to introduce even more people to Tower FM.” Interestingly, Emap's 'Big City' FM and 'Magic' AM stations have shown a drop, especially in the North West. Magic 1152/Manchester has shown a 24% drop in reach, while Magic 999/Preston has fallen 18% and a drop of 16% for Magic 1161/Hull. This brought the following comment from Tim Schoonmaker, Chief Executive of Emap Performance, who said: “We are delighted with these results across our radio stations which consolidates a year of growth and expansion.” Tom Hunter, Managing Director of Key 103 in Manchester, said, despite the fall, he was delighted Key 103 had performed so well in “such a tough radio market.” He added: “Rajar is a retrospective look over the last six months and I know that we will continue to lead the field because of our dynamic new programming strategy.” He said the station was about to reveal “an exciting new marketing campaign” aimed to “dominate Manchester and grow our audience even further…”

The Wireless Group's 'Big' AM stations have not fared well either. Big 1458 AM/Manchester (formerly 1458 Lite AM) drops 43% in reach, while in Bradford, the Big AM there drops 22%, while FM station The Pulse is down 18%. Capital's Century stations have shown mixed fortunes, with a 10% increase in reach for 105.4 Century FM, although the other stations have shown a drop. Meanwhile Capital Gold has seen a 21% drop in reach in South Wales, although the rest of the network has shown an increase - especially in Kent, with a 26% increase. GWR's figures are mixed. Although overall, combined figures for both their FM and AM services show an increase, stations in the West Midlands and East Anglia have shown major losses. Both Beacon stations are down 12%, while Classic Gold 1332/Peterborough has dropped 15%. GWR Group Operations Director and Programme Controller Steve Orchard said: “In a year which has seen considerable growth in the radio market place, GWR’s local stations continue to outperform the competition and maintain their market lead. The overall strength of the Opus sell is fuelled by the addition of the Essex Radio Group, which has turned in a strong performance since coming under our ownership.”

UKRD’s Group Programme Director Terry Mann, architect of UKRD’s revamped music policy told The RADIO Magazine he was “delighted” with the outcome of the latest results. Paying tribute to the company’s “talented and hard working” teams across the country, he said: “During the past 12 months we have launched brand new stations into the highly competitive Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol markets. All three have enjoyed growth in terms of weekly reach and listening hours.” The oldest of this trio—the one year old 96.2 The Revolution (Oldham and East Manchester) weighed in three months ago with a 10% reach and the best average hours of any commercial station in the Greater Manchester market. The latest figures show their audience is up 23% giving a 13% weekly reach and average hours have increased by 27% to 13.7%. UKRD’s 107.3 The Eagle in Bristol is the only commercial station in that market to have shown audience gains.

Settling in to his role as CN Radio’s Managing Director, Steve Oates, who joined from running Spirit FM, said: “Listeners to each station are enjoying our programmes more and more as we continue to develop and enhance our output to properly focus on the communities we serve.” CN Radio owns The Bay, Kix 96 and City Beat. Programme Controller of The Bay, John Gillmore, said: “Our share of the radio listening cake has continued to swell and now stands at 24.3%.” The Bay’s gains have been made at the expense of BBC national and local radio which have all seen a dip in the North Lancashire and South Cumbria market.

Looking at the figures for City Beat, John Rosborough, who recently moved cross-town from a quarter of a century at Downtown/Cool FM, said the latest results “confirm that City Beat is establishing itself as a firm favourite with listeners….” He said there were “exciting plans in the pipeline for the future…..”

Operating tightly focused ‘local’ radio services appears to continue to have a pay-off for those stations in the TLRC Group of stations. The Group’s flagship station, Spire FM in Salisbury, now boasts a 52% weekly reach among all adults, a figure unsurpassed by any other radio station in England and Wales. Isle of Wight Radio is once again the market leader on the island, having delivered a massive 19% increase in total listening hours, which, in turn, produced a 21% increase in market share. In Dorchester and Weymouth, TLRC’s Wessex FM has a 40% weekly reach, with total listening hours up by 21% year-on-year and in Cheltenham, Cat FM has increased both its total hours and share by 52%, year on year. Particularly commendable is the performance of one of TLRC’s newest stations. Within 18 months of their original launch as The NRG, Bournemouth’s 107.6 The Fire now delivers weekly reaches of 46% among 15-24 year olds and 38% of 15-34s. TLRC’s Chief Executive Ian Axton commented: “The figures demonstrate how, by playing the best music and championing local news and information, the TLRC formula is so successful in delivering large and loyal audiences within the communities our stations serve. They are testimony to the professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication of the on-air staff at all of our sites without whose commitment to super-serving the local community these figures would not have been possible.”

One of the four stations owned by Sir Ray Tindle, Dream 100, improved across the board with reach, hours and market share.

The full Rajar results for all reporting stations can be found on this website and acreoss ten pages of the printed version of the magazine this week.

Reporting on Rajar by Howard G. L. Rose, Paul L. Boon, Paul Easton with full analysis of current with previous data provided by Hallett Arendt.

Latest RAJAR Figures Released
Winners & Losers
3rd November 2000

The latest RAJAR figures have been released covering Quarter 3, 2000 and they show the BBC’s market share at 51.4% compared to 46.97% for the commercial sector. However, the BBC only just beat its commercial rivals numericaly by attracting 31,168,000 listeners, compared to 31,148,000 for the independent stations. Radio 5 Live saw a reversal of past growth losing 410,000 listeners compared to the last quarter. Radios 1, 2, 3, and 4 saw improvement in their weekly reach and share.

For national commercial stations it was a mixed picture. The New Atlantic 252, subject of an expensive promotion campaign and a relaunch, the latest RAJAR results show a 4% improvement in reach giving the station 1,519,000 adult (15+) listeners a week compared to 1,449,000 last time. In the station’s core market, 15-24 year old’s, reach is up 23% and hours are up 14%. In the 15-34 demo reach is up 11% and hours are up by 6%. Managing Director of the Rhythm & Dance station, John O’Hara, said: “All of our efforts this year have been focused on our core 15-34 year old audience. These results confirm that Atlantic 252 has a winning formula for attracting this illusive market.” Sales Director Steve Johnson pointed out further success: “Since relaunch in January our 15-34 year old audience has grown by a massive 40%. Our high profile marketing campaign will grow our audience further…..”

Classic FM records 6,053,000 listeners this time compared to 6,203,000 last with resultant decline in total hours and market share, but this did not stop the station’s Managing Director & Programme Controller, Roger Lewis, proclaiming: “We are the UK’s first choice for classical music listening by a considerable margin….Clear blue water has certainly been created between ourselves and our rivals…” BBC Radio 3, meanwhile, actually saw 61,000 listeners added to their tally bringing the number up to 2,012,000.

Wireless Group’s national talkSPORT added 2% to its weekly reach growing from 2,009,000 a week to 2,053,000. The station says the number of men, aged 15-34 increased by 78% year-on-year. Kelvin MacKenzie said: “These increases vindicate everything we have done to reposition the station.”

“This has been a solid performance for Virgin Radio during a quarter which has seen a number of innovative changes to the station format and schedule,” said John Pearson, Chief Executive at Virgin Radio. However, the station overall lost audience, but showed gain in hours and market share. The station now has 3,674,000 listeners compared to 3,840,000 last quarter.

Changes at Emap Performance’s Magic stations appear to have hit audiences. All Magic AM stations—except Liverpool—show a decline in weekly reach, although the ‘flagship’ station in London, at 105.4 FM, increased across the board.