London's 95.8 Capital FM - Now Known As Capital Radio

[CHRles]

The station's made some recent changes just in time for the new year. Read about it here:
http://www.capitalradio.com/Article.asp?id=160828

95.8 Capital Radio, London
http://www.capitalfm.com/
(32 K webcast) mms://ms1.capitalinteractive.co.uk/fm_high

 

[jazzjock]

> The station's made some recent changes just in time for the
> new year. Read about it here:
> http://www.capitalradio.com/Article.asp?id=160828
>
> 95.8 Capital Radio, London
> http://www.capitalfm.com/
> (32 K webcast) mms://ms1.capitalinteractive.co.uk/fm_high
>

Now known as Capital Radio? Errr, the station signed on in October 16th 1973 ( the date of my first flight by airliner!). The station has ALWAYS been called or known as Capital Radio!

Caught some last week when I went home for a family emergency.

Geoff
BBC Herts/Beds/Bucks Early Riser correspondent
99.3 WJZS Swing FM Newport RI


<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by jazzjock on 01/21/06 09:10 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[CHRles]

> > The station's made some recent changes just in time for
> the
> > new year. Read about it here:
> > http://www.capitalradio.com/Article.asp?id=160828
> >
> > 95.8 Capital Radio, London
> > http://www.capitalfm.com/
> > (32 K webcast) mms://ms1.capitalinteractive.co.uk/fm_high
> >
>
> Now known as Capital Radio? Errr, the station signed on in
> October 16th 1973 ( the date of my first flight by
> airliner!). The station has ALWAYS been called or known as
> Capital Radio!
>
Nope. For the longest time they were known as Capital FM. When capital first signed on in the 70s it was Capital Radio. But don't forget about how the AM and FM broke up when Capitol Gold was created on the AM side.

 

[robojock]

> > > The station's made some recent changes just in time for
> > the
> > > new year. Read about it here:
> > > http://www.capitalradio.com/Article.asp?id=160828
> > >
> > > 95.8 Capital Radio, London
> > > http://www.capitalfm.com/
> > > (32 K webcast)
> mms://ms1.capitalinteractive.co.uk/fm_high
> > >
> >
> > Now known as Capital Radio? Errr, the station signed on in
>
> > October 16th 1973 ( the date of my first flight by
> > airliner!). The station has ALWAYS been called or known as
>
> > Capital Radio!
> >
> Nope. For the longest time they were known as Capital FM.
> When capital first signed on in the 70s it was Capital
> Radio. But don't forget about how the AM and FM broke up
> when Capitol Gold was created on the AM side.
>

I remember their ID jingles in the early 90's..."Capital Radiooooooo dun dun dun...LONDONNNNNNNN!"

they were hawt and the "95.8 Traffic Update...with the flying eyeeee!" jingle lmao

 

[BRNout]

Re: It's a Pity

> The station's made some recent changes just in time for the
> new year. Read about it here:
> http://www.capitalradio.com/Article.asp?id=160828
>
> 95.8 Capital Radio, London
> http://www.capitalfm.com/
> (32 K webcast) mms://ms1.capitalinteractive.co.uk/fm_high
>

They've taken on a very AC slant in order to compete with Heart 106.2. Problem is that Heart is better at it - and London now lacks a real straightforward CHR.

Too bad too. GCap Media have managed to ruin what used to be one of the (if not THE) greatest CHR stations on Earth. I was just over there and it was sad to see London without a straight-on CHR of its own (Kiss is dance heavy). And, that I was hardly listening to what once was my favorite station.

The late-night show, "London's Love Songs" is an absolute snooze fest and the rest of the format is an uneasy mix of AC songs with enough CHR elements to keep to the letter of their license. I suspect that this will be ugly for them in the next ratings book.

Also, it's my understanding that Kiss 100 is planning some changes of it's own - starting this spring (April, I think). Perhaps they will try to fill in some of the void left by Capital?? Time will tell...

 

[bueller]

Re: It's a Pity

Capital in the 90s was an exciting radio station. My first impression of London radio was Foxy on drivetime, and it SOUNDED like London, very upbeat. When I was in London, I listened to Capital and it didn't hold my interest. Very AC ish, but Heart already has that. Kiss' owners run The Hits TV so maybe Kiss will go in a more CHR direction (although I'd hope for a return to their dance roots and away from the urban product Choice already has covered.)

 

[CHRles]

Re: It's a Pity

>
> They've taken on a very AC slant in order to compete with
> Heart 106.2. Problem is that Heart is better at it - and
> London now lacks a real straightforward CHR.
>
This problem has been plaguing many of the UK's cities in the past couple of years. I guess the Emap/Gcap stations see BBC Radio 1 as filling the CHR/Pop hole for the entire country, which means many of the so called regional/local CHRs only really sound like true Top 40s in the evenings.
Another factor in all of this is the success of all the crossover Rhythmic/Dance stations found the UK's major markets, which is another reason why many of the CHRs choose to skew older in order to stay competitive.

 

[BRNout]

Re: It's a Pity

> This problem has been plaguing many of the UK's cities in
> the past couple of years. I guess the Emap/Gcap stations see
> BBC Radio 1 as filling the CHR/Pop hole for the entire
> country, which means many of the so called regional/local
> CHRs only really sound like true Top 40s in the evenings.
> Another factor in all of this is the success of all the
> crossover Rhythmic/Dance stations found the UK's major
> markets, which is another reason why many of the CHRs choose
> to skew older in order to stay competitive.
>

But, BBC Radio 1 is not really a "steady" format. Yes, it's pop - but it features a pretty eclectic playlist that is not all currents. As well as a lot of talk and specialty shows. Nor is it "local". Hardly a replacement for a full-on CHR station.

And, with respect to the rhythmic/dance stations, it's been my understanding that the dance music is not doing so well. This, in turn, is prompting planned changes over at Kiss 100. And, the owners of Scotland's Beat 106 actually dropped it in favor of alternative rock and the Xfm format. They play a bit of urban music at night in order to satisfy the license - but that's it.

So, I still maintain that Capital's AC move is a huge mistake. During prior visits to London, I was always impressed by the number of radios in stores and restaurants tuned to Capital. It was like the official station of London - not unlike Musicradio WABC once was in New York (in the OLD days). And, I'm even talking about last year! This time around, no dice. People don't seem impressed. I sure wasn't.

Found myself spending more time with Kiss 100, Heart, Radio 1, Choice FM (where available) and even Smooth FM (during the day). Heading into the Midlands and North, I was really impressed by the sound of Galaxy. More urban/dance than Capital was - but at least with some spirit.

About Capital, I hope that GCap quickly realizes the error of their ways and adjusts this station. At the moment, it is in horrible need of focus. One thing I can almost guarantee: this move will NOT keep Capital competitive. Going head to head with Heart is a mistake. And, a needless one...