The majority of local and regional commercial radio stations are in group ownership, some groups focussing on one part of the country and others on particular formats while the two largest groups have a disparate range of services dotted across most of the UK. To demonstrate how rapidly the industry is changine the following list shows station ownership by groups as at the end of 2007. Changes of title or ownership shortly prior to that date are shown in brackets in blue. Changes of branding or ownership since 2007 are indicated in red.
We have not attempted to document the considerable increase in programme sharing, networking and co-location during this period. The list was compiled from published sources and Ofcom information but may inevitably contain unintentional inaccuracies from time to time, please inform us of any errors or omissions: managingradio@soundconcepts.ltd.uk
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Of the 260 local stations listed in group ownership in 2007 more than 120 (some 46 per cent) have since changed branding or ownership, or closed down.
Can West
Group withdrew from UK radio after winning
three licences from OfcomOriginal (Aberdeen) Sold to management buy-out. Purchased by consortium including Adam Findlay (Wave 102) and John Quinn (Central FM) September 2009.
Original 106.5 (Bristol) Sold to Tomahawk Radio Ltd .
Original (Solent) Sold to Celador Radio Broadcasting
CN Group
The BayCitybeat 96.7FM
Lakeland Radio 107.1
Rugby FM Sold to Quidem (Steve Orchard) June 2009
Touch 101.6/102.4 Sold to Quidem (Steve Orchard) June 2009
Touch 107.3 Sold to Quidem (Steve Orchard) June 2009
Touch FM (Coventry) Sold to Quidem (Steve Orchard) June 2009
Touch FM (Stratford upon-Avon) Sold to Quidem (Steve Orchard) June 2009
Touch FM (Banbury) Sold to management buy-out. Renamed Banbury Sound
Emap
Group purchased by Bauer December
200796.3 Radio Aire
Radio Borders
CFM Radio
City 96.7
City Talk 102.5
Clyde 1
Clyde 2
Cool FM
DTR, Downtown Radio
1548 Forth 2
97.3 Forth One
Hallam FM
Kerrang! 105.2
Key 103
Kiss 100
Kiss 105-108
Kiss FM (Severn Estuary)
Magic 105.4
Magic 1152 (Manchester)
Magic 1152 (Tyne and Wear)
Magic 1161
Magic 1170
Magic 1548
Magic 828
Magic 999
Magic AM (South Yorkshire)
Metro Radio
97.4 MFR FM
Moray Firth Radio 1107AM
Northsound 1
Northsound 2
97.4 Rock FM
South West Sound FM
Tay AM
Tay FM
96.6 TFM
96.9 Viking FM
Wave 105
96.7 West FM
West Sound 1035 AM
Forward Media Group
Connect FM Sold to Adventure Radio
2009.106.8 Lite FM Sold to Adventure Radio 2009
GCap
Group now merged with Global (see
below)Beacon Radio (West Midlands) (was GWR) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Beacon Radio (Shropshire) (was GWR)
96.4 BRMB (was Capital) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Radio Broadland (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Buzz 97.1 (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Capital Gold (Birmingham) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Capital Gold (Kent) Rebranded as Gold
Capital Gold (London) Rebranded as Gold
Capital Gold (Manchester) Rebranded as Gold
Capital Gold (South Hampshire) Rebranded as Gold
Capital Gold (South Wales) Rebranded as Gold
Capital Gold (Sussex) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1152 (Plymouth) (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1260 (Bristol and Bath) (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1332 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1359 (Coventry and Warwickshire) (was UBC Media) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Classic Gold 1431/1485 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1521 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 1557 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 666/954(was UBC Media) Closed down August 2008
Classic Gold 774 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 828 (Bournemouth) (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 828/792 (Herts, Beds, Bucks and Cambs (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold 936/1161(was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold Amber (Norfolk) (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold Amber (Suffolk) (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold Breeze (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold GEM (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold Marcher 1260 (was UBC Media) Rebranded as Gold
Classic Gold WABC (was UBC Media) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Capital Radio
Champion 103 (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
96.9 Chiltern FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
97.6 Chiltern FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Choice FM (was Capital)
Classic FM (was GWR)
Coast 96.3 Rebranded as Heart
Essex FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
FOX FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Heart
Gemini FM (Exeter) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Gemini FM (Torbay) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
GWR FM (Bath) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
GWR FM (Bristol) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
GWR FM (Wiltshire) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
102.7 Hereward FM. (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Horizon Radio (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Invicta FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Heart
Lantern FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Leicester Sound (was GWR)
Mercia FM (was GWR) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
102.7 Mercury FM (was GWR)
MFM 103.4 (was GWR) Rebranded as Marcher Sound then Heart
Northants 96 (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Ocean FM (was Capital)
Orchard FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
97FM Plymouth Sound Rebranded as Heart
103.2 Power FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Galaxy
Q103 Cambridge (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
102.8 RAM FM (was GWR)
Red Dragon FM (was Capital)
Severn Sound (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
SGR Colchester (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
SGR FM (Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds) (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
South Hams Radio (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Southern FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Heart
Ten-17 (Harlow) (was GWR)
96 Trent FM (was GWR)
102.3 2CR FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
2-Ten FM (was GWR) Rebranded as Heart
Wyvern FM (was GWR) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of Global merger
Xfm (London) (was Capital)
Xfm (Manchester) (was Capital)
Xfm (Scotland) (formerly Beat 106) (was Capital) Rebranded as Galaxy
Xfm (South Wales) Sold to Town & Country Broadcasting. Rebranded Nation Radio.
Global Radio (previously Chrysalis Radio)
Group now includes Gcap stations listed
aboveGalaxy (Manchester)
Galaxy (Birmingham)
Galaxy (North East)
Galaxy (Yorkshire)
Heart 106 (East Midlands) Sold to LDC Midlands as result of GCap merger
Heart 106.2
100.7 Heart fm
LBC 97.3
LBC News 1152
Guardian Media Group
96.3 Rock Radio (was Q96/UTV)100-101FM Real Radio
105-106FM Real Radio
106-108FM Real Radio
105.4 Century FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Real Radio
100-102 Century FM (was Capital) Rebranded as Real Radio
100.4 Smooth Radio
102.2 Smooth Radio
105.2 Smooth Radio (was Saga)
105.7 Smooth Radio (was Saga)
106.6 Smooth Radio (was Saga)
97.5 & 107.7 Smooth Radio (licence was won by Saga)
Kent Messenger Group
kmfm (Canterbury)kmfm (Medway)
kmfm (West Kent)
kmfm (Shepway and White Cliffs Country)
kmfm (Thanet)
kmfm (Ashford)
Laser Broadcasting
Group went into administration in 2008 and
ceased trading.Fresh Radio Sold into private hands
QuayWest 107.4 Sold to South West Radio Ltd. Temporarily closed down March 2010. Relaunched with Bath, Brunel, and 3TR as Total Star June 2010.
QuayWest 102.4 Sold to South West Radio Ltd. Temporarily closed down March 2010. Relaunched with Bath, Brunel, and 3TR as Total Star June 2010.
Sunshine 106.2 FM Sold to Murfin Music International
Sunshine Radio 855 (was Murfin Music International) Sold back to Murfin Music International
Sunshine Radio 1530 (was Classic Hits/Murfin Music International) Sold back to Murfin Music International
Lincs FM Group
Compass FMDearne FM
Fosseway Radio Renamed Oak FM and merged with 107 Oak FM (below)
KCFM 99.8 (Hull) previously independent, joined group June 2009
Lincs FM 102.2
Oak 107 FM (was CN Group)
Ridings FM
Rother FM
Rutland Radio
Trax FM (Bassetlaw)
Trax FM (Doncaster)
London Media Company/Sunrise Radio
Kismat Radio 1035Sunrise Radio (Greater London)
Time 106.6 (was Star Slough)
Time 106.8 Closed down March 2009
South London Radio 107.3 (was Time 107.3) Closed down April 2009
Time 107.5
Palm 105.5
Midland News Association
107.2 The Wyre107.4 Telford FM
The Severn
The Local Radio Company
Group purchased by UKRD (see below) April
2009103.2 Alpha FM Rebranded as Star Radio November 2009
107.8 Arrow FM Sold to Media Sound Holdings (Bright FM & Splash FM) June 2009
Bath FM Sold to Laser (see above) then to South West Radio Ltd. Temporarily closed down March 2010. Relaunched with Brunel, 3TR and QuayWest as Total Star June 2010.
Brunel FM Sold to Laser (see above) then to South West Radio Ltd. Temporarily closed down March 2010. Relaunched with Bath FM, 3TR and QuayWest as Total Star June 2010.
Central FM Sold into private hands.
107.9 Dune FM Sold to investment company Niocom.
Durham FM Rebranded as Star Radio November 2009
FIRE 107.6 Sold to Westward Broadcasting Ltd. June 2009.
Home 107.9 Sold into private hands, rebranded Pennine FM. Changed ownership again May 2009. Sold to Urban Media Group, September 2009.
Isle of Wight Radio Became part of Quadrant Media, jointly owned by Portsmouth FC. Station sold to a local consortium August 2009.
Ivel FM Sold to Midwest Radio. Rebranded Midwest Radio with Vale FM.
Minster FM
Minster Northallerton Rebranded as Star Radio November 2009.
Mix 107 Closed down July 2009
Mix 96
107.4 The Quay Became part of Quadrant Media, jointly then wholly owned by Portsmouth FC.
The Rocket. Sold and became Mersey 106.7. Licence withdrawn by Ofcom.
106.9 Silk FM Sold to Dee 106.3 (Chester). June 2009.
107.5 Sovereign Radio Sold to Media Sound Holdings (Bright FM & Splash FM) June 2009
102 Spire FM
Spirit FM Became part of Quadrant Media, jointly owned by Portsmouth FC. Wholly owned by TLRC again September 2009.
97.2 Stray FM
103.4 Sun FM
107.5 3TR FM Sold to Laser (see above), then to South West Radio Ltd, Temporarily closed down March 2010. Relaunched with Bath, Brunel, and QuayWest as Total Star June 2010.
2BR
97.4 Vale FM Sold to Midwest Radio. Rebranded Midwest Radio with Ivel FM
Wessex FM
Yorkshire Coast Radio (Scarborough)
Yorkshire Coast Radio (Bridlington)
Tindle Radio
Andover FM Sold into private
handsAtlantic FM Jointly owned with local investors
103.4 The Beach
Channel 103 FM
Delta FM
Dream 100
Dream 107.2 (previously Win FM owned by TLRC) Became joint venture with Town and Country Broadcasting (see below) as Radio Hampshire. Sold to internet station Play Radio, June 2009.
Dream 107.7 Sold to Adventure Radio (owner of Mercury 96.6 Watford)
Island FM 104.7
Kestrel FM
Kick FM Sold to same owners as Andover FM (above) August 2009
North Norfolk Radio
Radio Ceredigion (owned by Tindle News)
Town 102
99.9 Radio Norwich
Town and Country Broadcasting
106.3 Bridge FM97.1 Radio Carmarthenshire
Radio Hampshire (formerly The Saint) Became joint venture with Tindle Radio then placed in administration. Acquired by internet station Play Radio, June 2009
102.5 Radio Pemrokeshire
97.5 Scarlet FM
102.1 Bay Radio (formerly Swansea Bay Radio)
Nation Radio (formerly XFM South Wales) acquired from GCap.
UKRD Group
Purchased the remaining TLRC stations
(above) in April 2009.County Sound Radio 1566 MW
96.4 The Eagle
Fen Radio 107.5 Closed down July 2008
KL.FM 96.7
Pirate FM
96.2 The Revolution Sold to broadcaster Steve Penk
Star 107.5 (Cheltenham) Sold into private hands. Now also owns Bath FM, Brunel, 3TR and QuayWest under the Total Star brand. June 2010.
Star 107.7
Star Radio (Bristol) Sold to Tomahawk Radio (now also owners of Bristol's Original 106.5)
Star Radio (Cambridge and Ely)
Ulster TV (Previously The Wireless Group)
Imagine FM Sold to Mondiale
PublishingCentral Radio Sold to Niocom. December 2009. Now with 107.9 Dune FM.
107.6 Juice FM
Peak FM
The Pulse
Pulse Classic Gold
Signal 1
Signal 2
Swansea Sound
Talk 107 (Edinburgh) Closed down December 2008
107.4 Tower FM
U105
Valleys Radio Closed down April 2009
Wave 102 Sold to New Wave Media (Adam Findlay) May 2008
Radio Wave 96.5
96.4FM The Wave
107.2 Wire FM
102.4 Wish FM
107.7 The Wolf
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