R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Smooth Radio moved in Global headquarters at Leicester Square London today 1st October 2013. Lots of on air features have been scaled back at present, and few presenters over the last few weeks have left as most of the output moves from Manchester to London. The Station has a new Early Breakfast with former Heart presenter Nicola Bonn. Dave Brown, Simon Bates, Lynn Parsons, Pat Sharp, David Jensen and Carlos all stay on during during the weekday schedule. The station is playing a lot of music at present, but possibly change once the station has settled.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I noticed that they had a few technical problems today Mark - Simon Bates prerecord of the weather forecast at 9am appeared twice

Presumably what you say explains why the Golden Hour covered only one year today - incidentally I noticed that Simon gave you a mention as he regularly does Smile

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Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I listened to Smooth Radio in the office a few weeks ago, and it's even more bland than ever - more bland, in fact, than Radio 2 for much of the time (and that's saying something!).

What it proves, however, is just how easy it is to run a national network radio station with a playout server, drag & drop desktop control (remote if required) and a few voices behind a microphone. Oh, and a load of truly bland music.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I agree up to a point Colin but the station is OK if one is selective in only bothering to listen to the best bits

Simon Bates Breakfast show is excellent and obviously a lot better than it's R2 equivalent and in many respects The Double Top Twenty Show broadcast at 6pm on Sundays is in many respects better than POTP as David 'Kid' Jensen has a far better musical knowledge than Tony Blackburn

Yes there are bland bits like with most commercial stations these days but the answer is to be selective Very Happy

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Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I agree with your comment about David Jensen. I've worked with him several times (the first is when I did an interview with him for a local TV station in 1978!) and his musical knowledge is indeed impressive. I have a couple of 1970s recordings of him depping for John Peel on radio 1 and apparently he's one of only a couple of people Peel and producer John Walters actually approved of as "Peel substitutes".

Until very recently he was doing shows on Planet Rock and I enjoyed them immensely. However, it's just that whenever I tune into Smooth my hope that I might hear radio that is both engaging and informative is quickly shattered.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Nice to hear Gary King and Paul Hollins presenting on Smooth now. Also Tina Hobley is on Sunday mornings too.

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Tina Hobley is an actress, I think from Holby City and a series prior to that with Nick Berry. I can't remember the name of the that one!

No idea who the other 2 are.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Well I never thought I'd ever say this but Tina Hobley is the only presenter I have ever heard on national radio whose style makes Chris Evans look positively normal Shocked

It's like listening to someone broadcasting from the local mortuary - so bad I had to turn off within less than ten minutes - I reckon even the corpses in there would have more life in their style of presentation

Gary King is actually quite good although I never heard of him before and Paul Hollins has been on Smooth for some time usually standing in for people on holiday and is quite an accomplished presenter without being very exciting

My main gripe about the changes is that sadly we've lost for me one of the best shows on the network - The Double Top Twenty Show on Sunday evenings hosted by the very well informed David Jensen in favour of a Soul and Tamla Motown Show hosted by some person I have never heard of called Dave Andrews

Now don't get me wrong I love Motown music and a knowledgeable man called Dave Brown used to present a superb show of that kind on Saturday evenings - but the new show played almost every single well know soul and Tamla track from the sixties which begs the question as to what exactly will be left for them to play next Sunday

They even seem to have got rid of Jonny Gould - the most entertaining sports reporter on radio from the breakfast show so for me the changes are a big step backwards and I'll certainly be listening less than previously Sad

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

I've never heard Tina Hobley so can't comment but I didn't expect her to be all that good!

I didn't hear Dave Brown's Motown show that often but it was excellent as he played a lot of rarely played tracks. Do you know where he has gone?

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Sadly I don't Helen

I find that presenters on commercial stations are rather like sacked football managers - they disappear at very short notice and are not heard of until they reappear months later as part of some wonderful exciting new package being promoted by yet another commercial station

Apart from the Breakfast Show I very much doubt I'll be listening to anything else on Smooth now except for Lynn Parsons when Ken is away on holiday Sad

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Toggy · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 1239

littlepieces · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 1098 Location: Lowestoft

Gary King has been everywhere Radio 1 weekend breakfast Capital and lbc are just some of the station he has been on
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Paul Hollins is the CEO for Blue Revolution who make programmes for commercial radio. Gary King does the Totally 80's and 90's and Pat Sharp and Mark Goodier also. Gary was the first voice heard on Atlantic 252 also been on, Heart, Key 103, Magic,. He was also the voice on Dale Winton Supermarket Sweep, and also appeared on QVC

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 8:53 am Post subject:

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

That's the wonderful world of "freelance contract" for you. Here today, stuffed tomorrow, by which time the next wide-eyed and bushy-tailed hopeful is the chair. And so the cycle repeats itself.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I'm listening to Lynn Parsons on Smooth right now. It's "time-warp" radio!!!

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

[quote="Helen May"]I've never heard Tina Hobley so can't comment but I didn't expect her to be all that good!

I didn't hear Dave Brown's Motown show that often but it was excellent as he played a lot of rarely played tracks. Do you know where he has gone?

Apparently Helen he's still with Smooth but has been moved to the graveyard shift between midnight and 6am on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning

A complete waste of probably the number one expert I've come across on Motown music and it's history :evil

He's exactly the kind of presenter who Bob Shennan should be trying to recruit for Radio 2
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Radio Today

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

So what exactly will that mean?

I notice there seem to be 2 Smooth stations on my digital alarm radio I went for the SmoothUK (I think that's what it said).

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Depends what Global wants to do with the stations. Maybe local programming or change of name.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I notice that on ordinary FM radio we get local weather and local traffic reports whereas listening to Smooth via my Skybox I only ever hear national traffic information - much inferior to R2 Sad

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Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Global Radio is selling eight radio stations in response to a ruling by the Competition Commission after buying GMG Radio in June 2012.

The stations being sold are Smooth Radio North West, North East and East Midlands, along with Capital South Wales, Real Radio North Wales, Capital Scotland, Real Radio Yorkshire and Real XS Manchester.

The single buyer for all stations is Dublin based Communicorp, owner of Today FM, Spin and Newstalk for a reported £35m. Communicorp is wholly owned by Denis O’Brien, subject to regulatory approval.

And whilst the stations will operate under new owners and sell local airtime, national sales and non-peak programming will still be provided by Global Radio under a franchise agreement.

All existing Real Radio stations will become Heart, as expected, and the former Marcher stations, currently Heart, will become Capital.

Smooth Radio will expand to Gold’s frequencies on AM across the UK except in London, East Midlands and Manchester.

Global Radio originally bought the assets of GMG Radio in June 2012 but has been through the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission before being told to sell stations in seven areas of the UK which would have caused a Substantial Lessening of Competition.

Stephen Miron, Global’s Group CEO said: “We are delighted to have agreed this deal with Communicorp so quickly. Most importantly the conclusion of this deal solidifies Global’s position as the number one commercial radio company in the UK, and enables our brands to continue to grow, extending their reach into all parts of the UK, making Global’s offering truly national. The future launch of Heart in five new regions, Smooth in many new regions and a new Capital in North Wales is particularly exciting and enables us to continue our strategy of ‘national brands delivered locally.’ This is great news for listeners and advertisers/”

Gervaise Slowey, Communicorp’s Chief Executive commented: “We are delighted to add these popular radio stations to the Group’s stable. It’s clear that the UK advertising market is buoyant, and this move will make us the 4th largest commercial radio group in the UK from a standing start. The brand licence agreement that we have in place with Global for Heart, Capital and Smooth will allow us to combine the clout of a national brand with local presence, and we feel this model will provide the best of both worlds to our listeners and our customers.”

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They didnt want to sell...it was the competition comission that forced it.

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

GMG is responsible for radio stations that churn out the same robotic pap as Smooth so it makes no difference really.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

So will I still have something to listen to in the NW?

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Definitely, Helen. Different station ID but same robot serving it!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Not good methinks!

H

BTW how are you liking JW from 38 years ago?
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I've given the recordings a quick listen, basically as a check, but haven't yet managed to transfer them yet Helen because they need a good bit of EQ work, and that means stealing time on my No.1 mixer which is busy at the moment. I might be able to do it early next week though.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

No problem not trying to rush you, just wondered if you'd had a chance to hear the content!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:05 am Post subject:

Eeeuuurrgh. I really like Real Radio and the presenters on there - one of them lives down the road and gives my theatre free plugs. This whole rebranding thing is a big bag of shite.

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

More changes announced at Smooth today with both Lynn Parsons and Simon Bates on the way out (next week). And as replacements .... Andrew Castle and Kate Garraway, those well-known radio presenters!!!

Radio Today reports as follows:

Simon Bates and Lynn Parsons are leaving Smooth Radio to make way for a new line-up as the station re-launches under Global Radio.

New to the station will be TV presenter Andrew Castle, taking over breakfast from Simon Bates, and Daybreak’s Kate Garraway, taking over from Lynn Parsons on Mid-mornings.

Andrew Castle says “I can’t wait to get started on the Breakfast show. I’m a big fan of the new Smooth and love the music on the station.”

Paul Phear is also confirmed as new host of afternoons, after leaving Magic 105.4 last month.

Drivetime has recently changed with the introduction of Anthony Davis, and evenings will see Heart Cambridge Drive presenter Chris Skinner host “The Smooth Sanctuary” replacing Carlos.

Weekend presenter David Prever has also left the station.

Smooth Radio will have a new strapline too, as Global Radio introduces “Your Relaxing Music Mix” and puts the station on AM across a large part of the South and Midlands.

In other changes, Andrew Castle will also interview a celebrity every Sunday evening, on ‘Andrew Castle Meets’, which will also be broadcast across the network.

Myleene Klass, already on Global Radio’s Classic FM, will join Smooth to present the Saturday morning show each week from 10am till 2pm, and Tina Hobley will continue to present the Sunday mid-morning show.

There are two new weekend shows too. “Great British Song Book” will be hosted by Chris Skinner each Saturday night, and Sunday evenings will belong to the “Great American Songbook”, hosted by Anthony Davis.

Global’s founder & executive president Ashley Tabor said: “Richard Park and his team have assembled an all star cast for Smooth. Andrew Castle, Kate Garraway, Tina Hobley and Myleene Klass joining Smooth tell you just how seriously Global takes the launch of Smooth, and the focus and investment we’re putting behind this brand.

“It’s a further demonstration of our core strategy of ‘national brands delivered locally’, and it’s very important to us. As Smooth becomes one of the country’s biggest commercial radio brands, we’re investing to make it bigger and better for our listeners and advertisers.”

Kate Garraway said: “I love the music on the new Smooth and I can’t wait to get started. It’s going to be a welcome change for me, ditching the early morning starts and heading into the studio at a much more respectable time of day!”

Myleene Klass said: “I love all types of music and I’m looking forward to playing some of my favourite tracks on Smooth, as well as keeping up my Classic FM show of course!”

Smooth Radio is reversing its national position with regional programmes returning to the network’s five regional transmitters in London, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West and North East.

Three of the six Smooth stations are awaiting approval to be owned by Denis O’Brien’s Communicorp Group, but will continue to take a national feed of programmes from London off-peak.

The changes will take place on March 3rd.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/bates-and-parsons-out-as-smooth-relaunches/

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Well much as I do like Kate Garraway as a TV person I doubt I'll be listening to the new format at all

Simon and Lynn along with David Prever are the only presenters worth bothering with and as for Andrew Castle - he really gets on my nerves Mad

It's sad that a station which was showing some promise only a few years ago when Bates Parsons and Jensen joined should have failed to build on the undoubted talents of those people and thrust them aside like a discarded cigarette end

Now on mainstream UK radio for me only Planet Rock and possibly Caroline provide any kind of alternative to much of R2's often dire output Sad

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

That's a shame, but I suppose we have seen it coming.

I guess I'll just have it on in the background in the mornings as I prefer some sound as opposed to silence. I guess it must be better than R2 at that time.
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

Perhaps Shennan will snap up Lynn Parsons to replace one of his so called celebs. He is supposed to be attracting more women broadcasters apparently and at least Lynn knows her stuff.
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Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916