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The Output and Impact of Commercial Radio The Output and Impact of Commercial Radio

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|61 ACTION STATIONS! The Output and Impact of Commercial Radio ABOUT RADIOCENTRE GETTING IN TOUCH AUDIT TEAM RadioCentre is the industry body for RadioCentre is always happy to hear Audit Manager: Alice Dickerson Commercial Radio. from anyone with an interest in Research: Alison Winter & Commercial Radio. Its members consist of the Carolyn Critchlow overwhelming majority of UK We look forward to hearing from you. Commercial Radio stations who fund the organisation. The role of RadioCentre is to maintain and build a strong and successful CONTENTS Commercial Radio industry – in terms of both listening hours and revenues. 03| FOREWORDS The Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP As such, RadioCentre operates in a Jeremy Hunt MP number of areas, including working Don Foster MP with advertisers and their agencies, representing Commercial Radio 06| DID YOU KNOW…? companies to Government, Ofcom, copyright societies and other 08| INTRODUCTION organisations concerned with radio, Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive, RadioCentre and working with stations themselves. RadioCentre also provides a forum for 09| THE SHAPE WE ARE IN industry discussion, is a source of advice to members on all aspects of 17| THE CHANGING FACE OF RADIO radio, jointly owns Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd (RAJAR) with 21| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY the BBC, and includes copy clearance services for the industry through the 77 Shaftesbury Avenue 37| NEWS AND INFORMATION Radio Advertising Clearance Centre London (RACC). W1D 5DU 43| MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT t: 020 7306 2603 f: 020 7306 2505 51| SPEECH AND DEBATE e: [email protected] 60| APPENDIX This report is available online at Methodology & Glossary www.radiocentre.org About RadioCentre Getting in Touch This report is printed on recycled paper. |01 02| |03

FOREWORDS

Whether it is a traffic jam avoided 45.4 MILLION ADULTS LISTEN because of a report on the way to TO RADIO EVERY WEEK – work, a new song discovered THAT’S 90% OF THE while listening at our desk or a POPULATION. community inspired to work together by a news report, every UK LISTENERS TUNE INTO day Commercial Radio can THE RADIO FOR AN AVERAGE connect with us and enrich our OF NEARLY 23 HOURS PER lives. WEEK. But personal experience alone is insufficient evidence when we want to understand in greater detail the contribution which Commercial Radio makes to our broadcasting ecology. I therefore welcome this report from RadioCentre because it measures many of the things which listeners care most about from their radio: services like news, weather and travel as well as community involvement, charitable activities and creative ways of keeping audiences entertained.

The Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 04| FOREWORDS

With a turnover of around £600m, IN THE BIG LISTEN, RADIO Commercial Radio is a relatively SCORED MORE HIGHLY AS small industry. ‘TRUSTWORTHY’, ‘BETTER But it makes a big impact on our COMPANY’ AND country. ‘INVALUABLE’ THAN ANY OTHER MEDIA. This diverse and dispersed industry, with almost 350 stations from Shetland to the Channel Islands, reflects the diversity of our society with a range of services targeting those with a thirst for news, music aficionados, phone-in fans, football addicts, clubbers, families and minority communities. Commercial Radio also has tremendous economic importance, particularly in local communities, where it supports local businesses by giving them a powerful means of communicating with local customers. The contents of this report not only illuminate Commercial Radio’s contribution but also impel us to ensure it has a bright future.

JEREMY HUNT MP Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport FOREWORDS |05

Of all media, radio remains the 64% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO most personal and the most local. LISTENERS BELIEVE THEY WILL Stations can respond to a local SPEND MORE TIME LISTENING event in minutes, not hours or TO RADIO IN THE FUTURE. days. People connect with their local stations because the people behind the microphone care about the same issues as their listeners. I believe passionately in the importance of local radio, and this report sets out the vital contribution which local Commercial Radio makes to the lives of people up and down the country and, more importantly, on our own doorstep.

DON FOSTER MP Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Culture, Media and Sport 06|

DID YOU KNOW…?

| The 347 UK Commercial Radio stations attract a weekly audience of 31 million adults, who listen for over 424 million hours each week. | 93% of Commercial Radio stations stream their audio online and 57% of Commercial Radio stations produce podcasts or non-live audio. | Commercial Radio broadcasts 7,897,527 minutes of news every year and 69% of news bulletins contain local news. | An average Commercial Radio station broadcasts 10.73 hours of specialist music |07

programming each week. | Almost a third of stations play live music at least once a month and 83% of stations include local music in their schedules. | Stations broadcast an average of 23.7 hours of speech content each week. | Last year, Commercial Radio dedicated 808,085 minutes to What’s On bulletins and stations promote an average of nearly 28 different community events per week. | Last year, Commercial Radio directly raised over £17 million for charity. | 08|

INTRODUCTION

Commercial Radio is thirty five There is a lot of data to digest in the years old, or perhaps thirty five following pages. But there are also years young. As an industry it is some extraordinary stories of how, on younger than many of the people a daily basis across the UK, the people working, regulating and listening who work in radio stations literally to it. But, at thirty five, it is more change their listeners’ lives for the mature and established than many better. At a time when the role of the of the other media with which it media is under increasing scrutiny, the competes. trust that develops from such a close relationship is more important than That contradiction is, in many ways, ever. I take great heart from the fact both its strength and its challenge. This that Commercial Radio matters to its report sets out how Commercial Radio listeners because listeners matter to has embedded itself as a critical Commercial Radio. disseminator of important news and information, as a social bond within service broadcasting output in the UK, communities, and as a creative and and it followed a much smaller survey cultural force; but it also demonstrates undertaken in 2000. The 2008 how Commercial Radio is changing to Commercial Radio Audit sought to keep pace with the times: finding new capture hard data and much more ways of communicating with about our industry: we asked a set of ANDREW J. HARRISON audiences increasingly hungry for wide-ranging questions, on subjects Chief Executive, RadioCentre media on the move. ranging from specialist music programming to environmental July 2008 In 2004, one of RadioCentre’s initiatives, from broadcast platforms to predecessor organisations, the charity fundraising and everything in Commercial Radio Companies between. Association, undertook an audit of the public service broadcasting output of The listeners’ perspective in this report analogue UK Commercial Radio is gained from The Big Listen, a large- stations. At the time, it was thought to scale survey conducted by RadioCentre be the largest ever survey of public in June 2007. |09 THE SHAPE WE ARE IN 10| THE SHAPE WE ARE IN

Thirty-five years after the birth of ...the young; Commercial Radio ...and those with particular Commercial Radio, there are almost stations play a significant part in the interests. Specialist stations include 350 Commercial Radio stations in the lives of young people: 73% of 15-24 Passion for the Planet (with an UK; including 323 local stations, year olds and 69% of 4-14 year environmental focus), Premier Christian 22 regional stations and 3 national olds listen to Commercial Radio every Radio (Christian programming), Fun analogue stations. week. Radio (for children under 10), Rainbow Radio (for the African community) and ethnic minorities These stations range from rural, small- ... ; currently, there Gaydar Radio (serving the gay and scale ventures staffed primarily by are 33 Commercial Radio stations lesbian community). volunteers, to large, prominent targeting ethnic minorities. stations serving major Metropolitan Commercial Radio has 58% share of The more Commercial Radio stations areas. Each station has an individual ethnic minority listening, with that listeners have to choose from, the character and personality, known and 67% of the UK’s ethnic minority higher Commercial Radio’s share of loved by its listeners. population listening to Commercial listening is likely to be. In Glasgow, Radio every week. where listeners have approximately 13 It’s wealth of choice and diversity of stations to choose from, Commercial Nations and Regions output means that Commercial Radio ...the ; Radio has a 63% share of radio appeals to those sections of society Commercial Radio extends to the four listening. In both Birmingham and that other forms of traditional media corners of the United Kingdom; its London, where listeners have a choice often find hard to reach. These presence is as strong in Norfolk as it is of approximately 16 and 40 include... in Newcastle, similarly Belfast and the Commercial Radio stations respectively, Borders. There are 36 Commercial Commercial Radio enjoys a 51% share Radio stations in Scotland, 17 in Wales of listening. and 10 in Northern Ireland. Consequently, Commercial Radio has a 75% share of local listening. THE SHAPE WE ARE IN |11

Commercial Radio’s weekly and 4 weekly reach COMMERCIAL RADIO ATTRACTS A WEEKLY AUDIENCE OF 31 MILLION 90% 86% 85% 83% ADULTS EVERY WEEK – A FIGURE THAT RISES TO 74% 36.5 MILLION WHEN 4-14

59% YEAR OLDS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. 73% 69% 67% 65% 56% LISTENERS SPEND OVER 42% 424 MILLION HOURS TUNED Weekly Reach INTO COMMERCIAL RADIO

4 Weekly Reach EVERY WEEK. 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Source: RAJAR Q1 2008

Growth of national Commercial Radio listening

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000 ‘I know the important role Commercial Radio can play in a 20,000 local community. Stations not only provide entertainment and 0 local news, they are also involved in local campaigning’ Mar ’99 Mar ’00 Mar ’01 Mar ’02 Mar ’03 Mar ’04 Mar ’05 Mar ’06 Mar ’07 Mar ’08 Hours ANNE BEGG MP, Chair of the All Party Source: RAJAR Parliamentary Commercial Radio Group 12| THE SHAPE WE ARE IN

A Valuable Economic Force smallest local advertiser spends £300 to sales and marketing, and many per week, but the smallest stations Commercial Radio employees multitask Commercial Radio performs a valuable (those serving populations of fewer between roles such as the breakfast economic role. than 50,000 people) have many show presenter who is also the As Commercial Radio stations are advertisers spending less than £50 a programme controller, the station dispersed across the entirety of the UK, week. Similarly, the average spend by manager who also sells advertising and rather than concentrated in one stations’ largest local advertiser is the receptionist who also manages locality, Commercial Radio’s economic £1,500 but this can range from under promotional appearances. benefit is widely distributed. Despite £100 a week to over £20,000. UK Commercial Radio’s content is being populated by small and medium The Commercial Radio industry is also almost wholly domestic in origination. sized companies, the Commercial an important local employer, Consequently, the Commercial Radio Radio industry had gross revenue of employing over 10,000 people, with sector is a valuable contributor to the c. £600m in 2007-08. hundreds more involved on a voluntary UK’s creative economy. Radio is a powerful advertising basis. The average Commercial Radio medium. The diversity of stations station employs 30 people. The within Commercial Radio allows smallest Commercial Radio station, businesses to target their audience Two Lochs Radio, in North Scotland, carefully. Local businesses are therefore employs just 2 people whilst the larger able to reach out to their local London stations employ upwards of community in a highly targeted and 100. The skills of this diverse workforce cost effective way. Typically, a station’s range from presenting and production THE SHAPE WE ARE IN |13

Commercial Radio’s highest spending advertisers, by sector NATIONAL COMMERCIAL RADIO REACHES 14.1 MILLION ADULTS EVERY WEEK. COMMERCIAL RADIO HAS A 75% SHARE OF LOCAL Leisure LISTENING, 73% SHARE OF COI 15-24 LISTENING AND A 58%

Motors SHARE OF ETHNIC MINORITY LISTENING. Retail Services COMMERCIAL RADIO HAS Travel A 63% SHARE OF RADIO Others LISTENING IN GLASGOW AND 51% IN LONDON. 14| THE SHAPE WE ARE IN

COMMERCIAL RADIO IN NUMBERS

10,000employees Scottish £600 36 stations million of advertising

national analogue stations 3 10Northern Irish stations stations THE SHAPE WE ARE IN |15

ethnic 348 minority 33 stations 31million listeners Welsh industry body 17stations 1 love: 1 great radio 16| |17 THE CHANGING FACE OF RADIO 18| THE CHANGING FACE OF RADIO

RADIO IS OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE. As well as being the oldest and most Listeners want to receive their radio on Audience by digital platform over time established broadcast medium, radio as many platforms and devices as 15+ audience (%) continues to be a dominant force in possible. Commercial Radio is now 20% the digital age. Commercial Radio is available in more places than ever 18% facing up to the challenges of the before; not just at home or in the car 16% twenty-first century with creativity and but also on the go, on a mobile phone 14% investment in a range of new services or MP3 player or a laptop. 12% and platforms. 48% of Commercial Radio stations are 10%

Digital Audio Broadcasting, DAB, is the available on DAB. 15% of stations can 8% UK’s digital radio transmission be found on satellite, 9% on DTV and 6% standard which broadcasts both locally 14% on cable. Radio’s ubiquity and and nationally and is supported by the portability is as important today as it 4% BBC and Commercial Radio. There are has ever been. 2% currently over 7 million DAB receivers 0% Q2 ’07 Q3 ’07 Q4 ’07 Q1 ’08 in UK homes. In the time it will take Source: RAJAR DAB DTV Internet you to read this report, that figure will 1 have risen by a further 300 sets. % Adults (15+) who own a DAB set % of stations on individual platforms

Digital listening across platforms 30% DTV reached a record high in the first half of 2008. 19.5% of adults listen to a 25% Cable Commercial Radio service via a digital platform every week. DAB is leading 20% Satellite the digital charge, taking a 9.3% share of listening across Commercial Radio 15% AM and an impressive 39 million hours of listening. 10% DAB

FM 5%

Internet 0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Jun ’04 Jun ’05 Jun ’06 Jun ’07 Sep ’04 Sep ’05 Sep ’06 Sep ’07 Dec ’04 Dec ’05 Dec ’06 Dec ’07 Mar ’04 Mar ’05 Mar ’06 Mar ’07 Mar ’08

Source: RAJAR

1 The Digital Radio Development Bureau estimates that 2.6 million DAB sets will be sold in 2008; approximately 7000 per day. This calculation is based on the estimate that the reader will take one hour to read this document. THE CHANGING FACE OF RADIO |19

An online presence has become a vital 87% of websites contain What’s On ALMOST 1 IN 5 ADULTS component of today’s Commercial data, informing listeners of activities LISTEN TO A COMMERCIAL Radio stations. Research has shown and events in their locality or RADIO SERVICE VIA A that radio listening complements community of interest. Competitions DIGITAL PLATFORM EVERY online activity more than any other can be found on 91% of Commercial WEEK. media. At any given moment, a fifth of Radio websites, alongside the terms online users are listening to radio. 93% and conditions of entry. Many station 48% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO of Commercial Radio stations can be websites also contain live webcams, STATIONS ARE AVAILABLE found live on the internet. video clips and blogs, providing ON DAB. listeners and stations with further Commercial Radio’s online presence means of interaction. does not stop at live audio. 72% OF BIG LISTEN Commercial Radio is an important Undoubtedly, portable music players RESPONDENTS THOUGHT disseminator of information. The vast have become an important part of our THAT, IN THE FUTURE, RADIO majority of stations – 80% –- therefore lives today. To cater for this, over half – SHOULD BE ON AS MANY update their website daily. This figure is 57% – of Commercial Radio stations DEVICES AS POSSIBLE; even higher for stations that target now produce podcasts or other similar YOUNG PEOPLE WERE younger audiences and stations in content. The majority of podcasts are PARTICULARLY LIKELY TO particularly competitive markets; 88% produced on a weekly basis, although THINK THIS. of Contemporary Hits Radio stations 10% of stations provide daily updates. and 92% of London Commercial Radio The larger the station, the more likely it AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, A stations update their websites daily. is to produce non-live content, but FIFTH OF ONLINE USERS ARE smaller stations also continue to LISTENING TO RADIO. These websites contain a wealth of produce high quality podcasts. information: 87% of station websites Examples of podcasts available from 93% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO contain local news, 77% weather Commercial Radio include Horizon STATIONS STREAM THEIR information and 55% travel Radio’s unsigned band podcast, CONTENT ONLINE. information. Dearne FM’s podcast updates on Station websites are particularly useful Barnsley Football Club and Chill’s for supplementing on-air activity, when ‘Living a Chilled life’ podcast, designed the amount of information that can be to help listeners relax. conveyed by the presenter is restricted. 20| THE CHANGING FACE OF RADIO

Northants 96 My Classic FM 107.6 Juice FM - Juice Tube Northants 96 launched a website to My Classic FM allows classical music Liverpool’s Juice FM has launched its welcome Polish newcomers to fans to listen to seven new channels of own web based TV channel, which Northamptonshire. The website classical music and even create and reflects the station’s young, vibrant contains local information and on-air listen to personalised services. attitude. The site allows Juice listeners material, all translated into Polish. Channels include Jazz, Smooth to upload their own content, as well as Here’s a taster... Classics, Opera, Baroque and Movie featuring celebrity interviews and music. coverage of music festivals and gigs. Northants 96 to radio dla Northamptonshire, grajace wiele rodzajow muzyki dwadziescia cztery godziny na dobe, siedem dni w tygodniu. |21 CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY 22| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS ARE AT THE HEART OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. Community Involvement stations broadcasts at least five of per week. The nature of these varies these information segments every day dramatically, to suit a differing Local Commercial Radio remains and over 37 bulletins every week. audience. In the same week that immensely popular, taking a 75% share Central 103.1 FM publicised the work of all local listening in the UK. Specialist Commercial Radio stations of the Forth Valley Group of the broadcast a higher than average 25 million adults tune into local Scottish Bonsai Association, Gaydar number of What’s On bulletins – at Commercial Radio every week. They do Radio promoted the London Gay and least eight per day. Commercial Radio so because the UK’s local Commercial Lesbian Film festival and Southend has always served niche audiences and Radio stations place themselves at the Radio covered the Pi-Project, a 8.33 communities of interest particularly heart of community life, working with mile human chain around Southend well. Specialist stations such as Sabras creativity and determination to provide Pier. Sound Radio, aimed at Asian listeners, the locally relevant programming and Planet Rock, serving rock music Even within stations, What’s On which their listeners need and enjoy. fans, tailor their output to provide bulletins encompass a wide spectrum Commercial Radio stations know that appropriate audio that keeps their of activities. Polish Radio London, their listeners want to be kept up-to- listeners informed of developments which broadcasts across London on date with developments in their within their community of interest. DAB, publicised both the Polish rock locality. 84% of Big Listen respondents legend Dezerter’s concert and the These What’s On bulletins contain agreed that they like to know what is ‘Polish Paths to Freedom’ exhibition at information about a wealth of going on in their local community the Imperial War Museum in the same community events. The average station week. Stations therefore broadcast regular promotes nearly 28 different What’s On bulletins. The average community events and organisations

COMMERCIAL RADIO HAS IN THE BIG LISTEN, A 75% SHARE OF LOCAL RESPONDENTS WERE LISTENING. MORE LIKELY TO SAY THAT RADIO KEPT THEM IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY THAN NEWSPAPERS, TV, THE INTERNET OR MAGAZINES. CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY |23

The average Commercial Radio station 2004. This reflects stations’ increasing EVERY WEEK, THE AVERAGE devotes more time to What’s On utilisation of the internet to enhance COMMERCIAL RADIO bulletins than ever before. The average their offering to listeners and their STATION PUBLICISES NEARLY duration of a What’s On bulletin is just continued commitment to community 28 DIFFERENT COMMUNITY over a minute, an increase of 33% on involvement. EVENTS ON-AIR AND 22 ON 2004. What’s On bulletins on Full Moreover, station representatives THEIR WEBSITES. Service Local stations last longest; with personally attended nearly 40,000 small and clearly defined geographical community events last year, including coverage areas, these stations are Dearne FM at the All Barnsley Diversity often the most intimately connected Festival, Ivel FM at Cheddington Street with their listeners. These stations also Fair and Oak 107 FM at the Leicester publicise the largest number of events Mela. on-air – nearly 45 per week. Stations’ involvement in their community does not stop at on-air activity. Stations promote over 22 events on their website every week. This amounts to an industry total of nearly 400,000 events promoted on station websites across the year, an increase of 26% on the figure from

COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS EACH BROADCAST MORE THAN 37 WHAT’S ON BULLETINS EVERY WEEK. 24| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Radio City 96.7 Manx Radio Two Lochs Radio and Cuillin FM As official radio stations of the 2008 Manx Radio worked with Albert Road Two Lochs Radio and Cuillin FM are Capital of Culture, Radio City 96.7 and School, Isle of Man, to produce a two of the smallest Commercial Radio Magic 1548 have played an important documentary about the history of their stations in the UK. As well as providing role in Liverpool’s success. The two school over the last century; station much needed local radio services and stations initially supported the bid staff taught the pupils about radio support for their communities in campaign, and then spent much of production and interview techniques. Gairloch and Skye, they offer local 2007 accompanying the Capital of people experience of radio Culture roadshow as it travelled broadcasting. A group of young around the region, generating interest trainee radio stars took over the and excitement in the project. Both airwaves for the afternoon, and arrived stations have also been involved in in style at the studio – in a high-speed associated Capital of Culture events, inflatable craft. including the Turner Prize, Youth Urban Festival and Liverpool: The Musical. CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY |25

Rother FM Kingdom FM Listeners to Rother FM heard all about Kingdom FM co-sponsors the award- healthy eating when Jamie Oliver winning Radio Waves project, which popped in to the breakfast show encourages pupils of local schools in before cooking up some favourite Fife, the listeners of the future, to recipes in a makeshift studio kitchen. produce and write for their own Jamie was in town to promote the internet radio station. benefits of eating healthily to the residents of Rotherham.

‘The Prince’s Trust is always delighted to receive support from Commercial Radio. We need to raise £1 million a week to run our personal development programmes for disadvantaged young people. Radio plays a vital role in helping us reach both our supporters and young people across the UK’ ROB COPE, Deputy Director of Communications, The Prince's Trust 26| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Social Action Activity Charities recognise that the exposure THE AVERAGE COMMERCIAL they receive on Commercial Radio not The significant fundraising capabilities RADIO STATION only allows them to access a large of Commercial Radio are widely BROADCASTS 25 CHARITY audience free or charge, but also to recognised and stations know that a BULLETINS AND SUPPORTS 6 interact with audiences that they may key part of their presence within the CHARITIES EVERY WEEK. otherwise struggle to reach; in community involves helping those particular, the young and ethnic people most in need. minorities. The value of the airtime that Stations broadcast, on average, nearly Commercial Radio donated to 25 charity bulletins every week, each of charitable causes last year would equal which lasts over a minute. Full Service tens of millions of pounds. Local stations – such as Compass FM in But Commercial Radio’s charitable Grimsby and Wessex FM in Dorchester support is also more direct: stations – broadcast nearly 35 charity bulletins each raise an average of £62,411 for per week, reflecting their very close charity each year. Many stations have relationship with their community. their own charity, such as Radio Clyde’s The average Commercial Radio station ‘Cash for Kids’, which raised an supports nearly six different charities incredible £350,000 in one night at every week. In addition, 86% of 'An Evening with...Gordon Ramsey’ Commercial Radio websites contain and Capital Radio’s ‘Help a London information on charities’ current Child’ charity, which raised over £1.5m campaigns, contact details and how to in a year. donate. It is therefore not surprising that, last As a result, Commercial Radio supports year, Commercial Radio raised a huge over 100,000 different charities every £17,188,079 for charity. ‘Macmillan is extremely grateful for all year and over 500,000 minutes of the the support it receives from industry’s annual output is devoted to Commercial Radio stations. Not only charitable causes. does it help to raise vital funds, but also awareness of the services Macmillan provides to improve the lives of people living with cancer. Continued support will help us to achieve our ambition of reaching everyone affected by cancer by 2010’ MARC SILVERSIDE, Head of Communications, Macmillan Cancer Support 28| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

‘Bauer Radio’s involvement with the campaign (For The Kids Day) helped us secure interviews with some of the most powerful and important political leaders in the UK. This provided essential talk-ability around the UK’s first day dedicated to children’ JOE BARRELL, Head of Communications, Save the Children

JACK fm – The Forgotten Army? Bauer – For The Kids Day JACK fm in Oxford broadcast a week of Bauer Radio’s 20-strong Big City special reports from Afghanistan when Network all backed the ‘For The Kids’ the station’s breakfast show presenter, initiative, which involved children local Greg Burke, spent a week with to each station in a day’s programming ‘We are all fighting for peace on our Oxfordshire troops. These aimed to dedicated to raising awareness and streets. It’s a multifaceted problem and highlight the work being done by the money for Save the Children. The therefore needs innovative solutions. soldiers and explain the realities of life voices of local children were heard, Choice FM have been championing on deployment. The station also sharing their thoughts on the world Peace on the Streets for years, I interviewed the families of Oxfordshire and encouraging support for Save the remember listening and phoning soldiers and local politicians, including Children, alongside compelling stories Choice before I became an MP’ David Cameron, who took part in a of the plight of children in the world’s MS DAWN BUTLER MP three-way conversation with the JACK poorest areas. The Prime Minister, fm studio and Greg in an Apache Gordon Brown, was amongst those helicopter. who lent their support.

‘I believe The Local Radio Company group of radio stations has made a valuable contribution towards the work we are doing with communities to make the places we live better and safer’ BARONESS SCOTLAND CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY |29

Choice FM – Peace on the Streets The Local Radio Company – Inside Swansea Sound – Making Swansea Justice Week Proud Peace on the Streets, one of Commercial Radio’s longest running In Autumn 2007, The Local Radio For more than two years, Swansea social action campaigns, aims to Company’s stations worked with the Sound has supported ‘Making prevent young people from falling Criminal Justice Department to Swansea Proud’. The project will take victim to gun and knife crime. At the promote Inside Justice Week. The more than 70 local volunteers to South heart of the campaign is the station’s campaign informed listeners about the Africa to build ten houses in a support for positive community criminal justice system, through township. Meanwhile, in the heart of initiatives, such as the UK Youth interviews with both victims of crime Swansea, Swansea Sound has Parliament’s ‘Youth in the City’ and and those who work for criminal contributed to the building of a Southwark Council’s Enough is Enough justice agencies. township shack to emphasise the campaign. squalid conditions that inhabitants currently live in. The station’s outside broadcasts aim to raise awareness of the initiative, helping to increase volunteer numbers and raise essential funds for the trip. Academy of Irish Dancing, Acorns Childrens Hospice, Action for Kids, Action Medical Research, African Caribbean Leukemia Trust, Age Conc Altrincham Chamber of Commerce, Alzheimers society, Ambleside Horticultural and Craft Society, Annan Activity & Resources Centre, Anthon Banff Marina Gala, Barnardos, Barnsley Bridge Club, Barnsley Fencing Club, Barrow Community Trust, Barrow Schools Initiatives, Basingstoke Beacon Fellowship, Beacon Hill Light Brigade, Beavers, Beckford centre, Bellarussian Ray of Hope, Bike Africa, Bilton Social Club Downs Sydr sessions, Bluebell wood Children's Hospice, Blythswood Foundation, BNI Network Group, Bobath Cymru, Bobby Robson North East Cancer C Bournemouth Chamber of Commerce, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth Town Centre Management, Bournemouth Universi British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, British Stammering Association, Brookes University, BSAC Diving Club, Buchan IT & Learning Cen Male Voice Choir, Business in the Community, Business Link and Tourism South East, Buttterfly Events, Cancer Help, Cancer Research UK, Canin Dads, Caring For Kids, Caring For the Disabled, Carlisle and Border Art Society, Cash for Kids, Catmose Club Oakham, Catmose Films, Caxton Tennis Club, Chester Football Club, Chester Jets Basketball team, Childline, Children in Ghana, Children's Adventure Farm Trust, Children's Ho Advice Bureau, Clic Sargent, Clough's Crafty Club, Coleg Menai (local college), Collyweston Village Hall, Coniston Sports and Social Centre, Co FC, Coventry Rugby Club, Coventry Transport Museum, Crabble Corn Mill, Craig's Heartstrong Foundation, Crazy Hats Cancer Appeal, Cressex Trust, D&G Aviation Museum, Dalbeattie Community Initiative, Dales Park School Nursery, Damilola Taylor Trust, Darlington Council, Deaf Aw and DramaticJUST Society, Dream Catcher, Drug and Alcohol Support, DunblaneSOME Accordion & Fiddle Club, Durham City FBM, Durham City Forum Meon Country show, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue, Eating Disorder Awareness, Education Fund, Education Leeds, Ellel Ministries, Ellon Care H Gaidheal, FGW Trains, Fibromyalgia, Fight for sight, Fire Service, Fire Service Charitie, Fire Service National Benevolent Fund, Fix the Fells Campa Darts League, Fraserburgh Heritage Centre, Friends of Anchor, Friends of Hatfield Church, Friends of Lowestoft Hospital, Friends of South Pem Gambian Horse and Donkey Sanctuary, Give A Child A Chance, Glangwili Hospital, Great Western Hospital, Greenfields Community Centre, G Gulbenkian Theatre, GWR Kids, Hailsham Air Cadets, Halesworth Community Housing Care Fund, Hammer Hill Recreation Association, Handyc Hayfever awareness, Hearing Concern, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Heart of Kent Hospice, Heartlink, Help A Local Child, Help for Heroes, H Start, Hope and Homes for Children, Hope House, Hospice of St Francis, Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Hospice of the Valleys, Host Families, Ho Itchen CHARITIESValley Country Park Volunteers, James Paget Hospital Intensive Care, James Paget Hospital Palliative Care, Jockey Foundation, Jog Scotl Kendal Town, Kennet District Council, Kids 4 Kids, Kids Count, Kids Miles of Smiles Charity, Kingsley Sports Club, Krafty Fingers Craft Club, Lancas Heritage Fund, Leicestershire Villages, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Leukaemia Care, Leukemia Research, Life Line Equipment Installers, Lions C Church, Llanmiloe Community Association, London Clay Pigeon Shooting Club, Local Heritage Museum classes, Local Heroes, Local History Soc Careers, Loughborough Churches, Loughborough Lions, Loughborough Rugby Club, Lutterworth Railway Society, Lydden Bikeathon, Macmilla Make Swansea Proud, Manchester Methodist Housing Association, Manx Bird Atlas, Manx Blind Welfare Association, Manx Cat Sanctuary,"M Wildlife Centre, Mapplewell Village Hall Walking Group, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Market Overton Bowls, Masai warriors raising money for Appeal, Middlesbrough Football Club, Mile Cross primary school, Milford Haven Port Authority, Mintlaw Cancer Support Group, Miss Rugby Com College, Morriston Hospital, Mountain Rescue, MS Society, MSPCA, Music for Africa, Narcotics Anonymous, Narnocon Rehabilitation Centre, Orchestra,COMMERC National Childrens Home, National Gardens Scheme, National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, National Housing Federatio Nene Valley Railway, Nestle Trust, Newcastle Children's Heart Unit, Nightingale House, Non & Afon Stroke Club, Nordoff-Robbins Scotland, Norfo Town Football Club, Various, Northamptonshire Police, Northern Sinfonia & the Sage Gateshead, Northsound's Cash For Kids, Norwich Arts North MP Ian Gibson, Norwich Playhouse, Nottingham Cares, Nottingham Trent University, NSPCC, OMF Missionaries, One Community Learn Out of Africa-Appeals, Over-60s group, Oxfam, Oxford United Football Club, Oxford University, PACE, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Para - O Community Safety Partnership, Pendine Bowling Club, Penygroes RFC, Peterhead Boys Brigade, Peterhead Care Home, Peterhead Community Ho Polegate Hard of Hearing group, Poole Tourism, Poppy Campaign, Primary Care Trust, Prince Philip Hospital, Princes Trust, Quarriers Magic Gard Hospice, Rape Crisis, Reading Bowls Club Appeal, Reading Hindu Temple, Reading Single/Homeless Project, Real Action, RICE, RNLI, Rock fo Orchestra,HAS Royal London Society for the Blind, Royal National LifeboatSUPPO Institution, Royal Naval Association, Royal Philharmonic Society, Royal Sc Council, Rugby Gateway Support, Rugby Lions Football Club, Rugby Myton Hospice Cancer Barn Dance, Rugby Natural History Society, Rugby R Musical Theatre, Rutland Three Arts Society, Safer Roads for Cumbria Road Safety Campaign, Sainsbury's Centre, Saints Rugby Club, Salvation A Hall, Sheffield Childrens Hospital, Shelter, Shelthorpe Community Association, Shiv Kinner group, Skye Dolphins, Snowball Appeal, Sobell Hos Aid, Spring Harvest, SSPCA, St Catherine's Hospice, St Christopers Hospice, St Cuthbert's Hospice, St Georges Hall, St John Ambulance , St John's Show, St. Andrew's Hospice, St. Anne's Church, St. Ann's Hospice, St. Theresa’s Hospice, Stage Struck, Star Appeal, Staveley Village Society, Ste College, Support our Paras, Surrey Motor Neurone Association, Swim Wales, Swindon Borough Council, Swinton Lock Activity Centre, Table T Hospice, The Childrens Heart Association, The Chronicle and Echo (Newspapers), The Country Cat Shelter, The Flying Colours Appeal at Yeov Awards, Theatre Royal, Together Trust, Town Kids Trust, Transport Museum, Trash, Tresham College, Trinity Academy, Trinity All Saints Colleg UlverscroftTHE Grange, Ulverston Inshore Rescue, University of CumbriaPAST and Lancaster, Veterans Raising Money for War Injured, VictoriaY Theatre, Wellchild charity, Wellie Waddle Weston Hospice, Welsh National Opera, West Berkshire Education Business Partnership, West Coast Arts, Wes team, Whizz Kids, Willow Brook Hospice, Willows Animal Sanctuary, Wiltshire Police, Windermere Model Boat Club, Windermere Town Counc for Blind, World AIDS Day, World Health , World Manx Association, World Voice Day, Worldvision, Wrexham Disability Forum and Disabilit cern, Agewell Group, Aid Foundation, Air Ambulance, Air Training Corp, Alford Valley Railways, Alhambra Theatre, All-stars dance academy, ny Nolan Trust, Army Benevolent Fund, Arthritis Care, Arvon Poetry Competition, Ashley's Ark, Autism Awareness, Babworth Animal Sanctuary, e Breast Cancer Unit, Basingstoke Fibro Myalgia Group, Basingstoke Town Football, Bassetlaw Breastcare Appeal, Bath Cats and Dogs Home, rome Charity event, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University, Birtenshaw Hall, Blackwater Valley Countryside trust blood donor harity, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Bolton Women's aid, Born Free Fund, Borough Council in Wellingborough, Boscombe Traders Association, ty, Bradford Bulls, Bradford City, Brampton Community Centre, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer, Bristol City Council, British Army, ntre, Buchaness Yacht Club, BUPA Great Run, Burry Port and Pendine Garden Centre, Burry Port Art Group, Burry Port Bowls Club, Burry Port ne Partners, Canterbury college, Capability Scotland, Cardiac Rehabilitation Fund, Care association, Care for the Family, Career Services, Caring n Theatre, Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership, Central Scotland Police, Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Trade, Charnwood ospice, Chinese Welfare Association, Christian Aid, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Christies & St Ann's Hospice, Church of Scotland, Citizens ornwall Chamber of Commerce, Cossington gardens, Coventry Bees, Coventry Blaze, Coventry Building Society Charities Foundation, Coventry Day Centre, Crimestoppers, Crossroads, Cubs, Cumbrian Business Education Consortium, Cymru Canine Partners, CYMRU/AIR, Cystic Fibrosis wareness, Derian House, Diabetes Cymru, Dog Trust, Douglas Bader Trust, Dover Athletic, Dover Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dover Operatic Em, Dyfed PowysOF Police, DYP, Dyslexia Awareness, E.A.R.T.H,THE Earlham High School, East Anglia Childrens hospice, East Cheshire Hospice, East Home, English National Ballet, Epilepsy Action, Facing Africa, Falmouth College, Feed the Children, Feeding Young Imaginations, Feisean nan aign, Florence Nightingale hospice, Food Train Extra, Foresight, Forth Valley Group of the Scottish Bonsai Association, Foster Cares, Fraserburgh brokeshire Hospital, Friendship at Home, Furness Oncology Unit, Gaelic play group, Gairloch Community Choir, Galloway Eco- Health Project, Greggs Cancer Run, Gretton Baptist Church,Rutland, Grimsby Hospital Radio, Ground Work West Durham, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guides, crafts, Hannah Stacey Trust, Hansel Foundation, Haslemere Educational Museum, Hastings Lifeboat, Havens Hopice, Haverfordwest Pet Centre, Help the Aged, Helpline, Henley College, Hiltingbury Community Association, HIVE, Holding Hands Charity, Home for Horses in Speen, Home ouse Mobile, Hyndburn Stray Dogs, Inverasdale Primary School, IoM Age Concern, IoM Children's Centre, IoM Hospice, IoM Junior Achievement, and,& John Moore University, JohnGROUPS Storer House, Jumping Tots, Junior Achievement IoM, Junior Spring Workshop, Junior Yaghting Club, KCU, shire County Council, Laugharne appeal for funding in the Gambia, Laura Crane Trust Overgate Hospice, League of Friends, Leicester Community Club of Dorchester, Liss Infant School, Liverpool Music Week, Llandovery Carnival Committee, Llandudno Credit Union, Llanelli AFC, Llangollen ciety, Local library, London Symphony Orchestra, Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary, LOROS, Loughborough cancer self help group, Loughborough an Cancer Relief, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maelor Hospital Spoon Walk, Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir, MAGPAS, Make a Wish Appeal, Manx Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, Manx Operatic Society, Manx Retirement Association, Manx Rivers Improvement Association, Manx a well, Mayflower Animal Sanctuary, ME Awareness Week, Meningitis Trust, Menuhin International Violin Competition, Mercury FM Charity mpetition, Money Mountain, Moonlight Walk, Moorgreen Hospital Volunteers, Morcott Village Hall, Morecambe Bay beach cleaning, Morecambe , National AIDS Trust, National Autism Society, National Blood Service, National Childbirth Trust , National Childcare Trust, National Children's CIALon on Green Homes, National Scenic Area Countryside RADIO Team, National Trust, Natural England, NCH Cymru, NCH/CHILDLINE, Nelson's journey, lk Netwalking, Norfolk Wildlife trust, North Wales Superkids and Hope House Hospice, North Wilts Council, Northampton College, Northampton Centre, Norwich Chess Club, Norwich City College, Norwich City Football Club, Norwich Internationl, Norwich Millennium Library, Norwich ning Difficulties support, One Community, Open Sight, Orchid, Oscar and Thalessimia Trust, Osprey Watch, Ostley House Home for the Blind, Olympic Rally, Parentline, Parents Advice Centre, Park Lane College, Parkinsons Disease Society, Paul Sartori Foundation, PC Centre, Pembrokeshire ospital, Peterhead District Fibromyalgia Support Group, Peterhead Police, Peterhed Fishermans, Pilgrims Hospice, Pink Ribbon Appeal, Playgoes, den Appeal, Quiddenham Childrens Hospice, Race For Life, Racial Discrimination Advice, Rainbow Trust, Rainbows Childrens Hospital, Rainbows r Africa, Rosehearty Youth Group, Rotary Club, Roundabout, Royal and Derngate Theatre, Royal British Legion, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ORTEDcottish National Orchestra, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Royston and CarltonIN Community Partnership, RSPB, RSPCA, Rugby Borough Rotary Club, Rugby Round Table, Rugby Theatre, Rugby Town Football Club, RUN, Run 4 Fun, Rutland & Stamford Embroiderers Guild, Rutland Army, Samaritans, Sandhaven Playgroup, Save The Children, Scannappeal, SCOPE, Scottish Spina Bifida, Scouts, Sea Cadets, Sedgewick Village spice, Solent Mind, Solent University, South Africa Initiative, South Lincs CVS, Southampton Scrapstore, Southend RFC, Southend Utd, Sports Hospice, St Luke's Hospice, St Mary's Hospice, St Michael's Hospice, St Peter's Church, St Rocco's Hospice, St Wilfrid's Hospice, St YFC Agricultural phen Lawrence Trust, Stop bullying at Schools, Strathcarron Hospice, Stroke Association, Sue Ryder Care, Suffolk Deaf Association, Sunderland Tots, Talking Echo, Tapas Cymru, T-Day, Team Tanzania Support Group, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Blue Cross Animal Centre, The Chesnut Tree vil Hospital, The Forth Valley Group of Advanced Motorists, The Kent Wildlife Trust, The Leofric Lions, The Lowry, The Pride Of Herefordshire ge, Tudor Galleries, Tumble Family Centre, Ty Ffilm, Ty Gobaith, Ty Hafan Childrens Charity, Ty Hafn, UEA Norwich, Ulster Cancer Foundation, YEAR..., Voluntary Action Rutland, Walk Well, Walking Bus, Warminster Twinning Association, Waste Aware Campaign, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, st Earlham Community Centre, West Wilts Council, Westmorland General Hospital, Weymouth Epilepsy Group, Weymouth Wildcats Speedway cil, Winston's Wish, Wisdom Works Ministries, Wish Upon a Dream, Women's Aglow International, Women's Centre, Woodspring Association ty Youth Forum, Wrexham Football Club, WRVS Stewarty, Y Bont, Yeovil Shop Mobility, YMCA, Yorkshire Tourist Board, Youth Cancer Trust 32| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

JON WARREN/WORLD VISION

Disaster Emergency Appeals has helped raise a significant Commercial Radio history. 200+ proportion of the funds donated to stations suspended their usual Radio’s real time nature allows it to them. schedules to focus on raising money respond quickly and effectively to for the children affected by the unexpected events. 2008 – Burma Cyclone Tsunami. One single star-studded At times of overseas emergency, the 2007 – Bangladesh Cyclone programme was broadcast to an Disaster Emergency Committee brings estimated audience of over 20 million 2006 – Darfur and Chad Crisis together a unique alliance of the UK's listeners, the biggest ever UK aid, corporate, public and 2005 – Niger Crisis Commercial Radio audience. As well as broadcasting sectors to publicise the appealing for listener donations, 2005 – Asia Quake situation and rally the nation's participating stations donated one compassion. 2004 – Asia Tsunami day’s profits. This one day of radio programming raised an incredible £3.3 Commercial Radio plays a key role in UK Radio Aid was run in conjunction million. the DEC appeals. In the past four years, with the DEC Asia Tsunami appeal. Commercial Radio has been intrinsically Held on 17 January 2005, it marked an involved in the following appeals, and unprecedented moment in UK

‘Commercial Radio is very important to DEC appeals…DEC have been very fortunate to have the support of radio stations who promote our appeals at breakfast time and drive time’ PATRICIA SANDERS, Communications and Promotions, Disaster Emergency Committee CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY |33

KEEPING IT GREEN Commercial Radio stations are doing their bit to reduce their carbon footprint and raise awareness of climate change among their listeners.

91% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS RECYCLE.

54% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS USE ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS. 34| CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Capital 95.8 – ‘Lights Out….’ London In June 2007, Capital 95.8 carried out Cathedral and the lights of Piccadilly a unique experiment – Lights Out Circus – whilst a host of celebrities also London. All Londoners were pledged their support. During the encouraged to switch off all of their Lights Out hour, EDF Energy estimated non-essential lights for an hour, on the that 2% of the normal amount of longest day of the year. The high- energy consumed in London was profile campaign was conducted saved. on-air, on-line and via mobile phones. Similar Lights Out campaigns have Some of London’s highest profile since been run across the country buildings took part, including ‘I won’t be in London for Lights Out including Kent, organised by Buckingham Palace, Canary Wharf, the London, but I’ll turn my lights off in LA Invicta FM and Lancashire, House of Parliament, St. Paul’s to show my support’ championed by 97.4 Rock FM. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

‘Lights Out London is a brilliant way of sending a message and showing, with some simple changes, we can change the way in which we pollute the atmosphere’ THE RT HON DAVID MILIBAND MP, then Environment Secretary CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY |35

Kiss – Kiss The Planet Radio Aire – Green Project Kiss The Planet, the green initiative Radio Aire’s Green Project started from the dance network Kiss, within the station but soon grew into appointed Sam Branson, son of an on-air initiative as the station Richard, as their first Green realised that, by encouraging all of Ambassador. Sam exclusively reported their listeners to do their little bit, they back to listeners, through a blog and could make a big difference. The multi- regular broadcasts on the breakfast platform campaign, including on-air, show, from his three-month, 1,400 online, video and an e-magazine, mile dogsled Arctic expedition. The informed listeners and advertising multi-media initiative highlighted clients about environmental issues and awareness of global warming in an simple green tips, through simple and engaging style, encouraging Kiss fun messages such as ‘Everyone leaves listeners to do their part for the a mess. It’s what we do with it that environment. matters.’ ‘I approached Kiss to cover the trip because it reaches millions of people my kind of age. Kiss and I agreed (global warming) is the biggest issue of today but also that it can all get a bit technical like some boring science lesson… Just as we're all hooked on our favourite music, it would be great to get a few of the listeners hooked on the trip, and what I'm doing’ SAM BRANSON, Kiss’s Green Ambassador 36| |37 NEWS AND INFORMATION 38| NEWS AND INFORMATION

COMMERCIAL RADIO IS CONSTANTLY KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE. In a fast-paced and constantly Local news is a vital strand of almost all 69% OF NEWS BULLETINS changing world, radio continues to be Commercial Radio stations’ output. CONTAIN LOCAL NEWS. a crucial source of news and The proportion of news bulletins information. Radio is an instant containing local news has increased by IN THE BIG LISTEN, RADIO medium and its ability to provide almost 5% since 2004: now almost WAS RANKED HIGHER THAN relevant, up-to-date information in real 70% of news bulletins contain news TV, NEWSPAPERS, time has always been one of its from that station’s local community. MAGAZINES AND THE greatest assets. Additionally, 87% of station websites INTERNET FOR PROMPT contain local news. Consequently, Commercial Radio DELIVERY OF LOCAL NEWS. provides listeners with a high volume WHEN ASKED WHICH of news. On average, stations WHEN ASKED WHICH MEDIUM IS THE BEST FOR MEDIUM PROVIDES broadcast 22 news bulletins per day, PROVIDING LIVE each of which lasts a total of 3 CONTENT THAT CAN’T BE INFORMATION, 77% OF BIG FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE, minutes. Cumulatively then, stations LISTEN RESPONDENTS SAID each broadcast over an hour of news RADIO CAME SECOND ONLY RADIO (VERSUS 62% FOR TO THE INTERNET. every day. TV AND 52% FOR THE Speech radio stations, such as INTERNET). COMMERCIAL RADIO Edinburgh’s Talk 107, London’s LBC BROADCASTS 2,687,499 and the national AM station talkSPORT, MILLION NEWS BULLETINS broadcast the highest number of news EACH YEAR. bulletins – an average of 35 per day per station. News bulletins on speech radio also last longer than the average bulletin, as these stations recognise that their listeners expect up-to-date, in-depth information 24 hours a day. NEWS AND INFORMATION |39

Radio Clyde – Going for Gold 96.4 The Wave – Live Drugs Raid Bridge FM When it was announced that Glasgow Since 2006, 96.4 The Wave has Bridge FM was praised by South Wales had been awarded the 2014 worked closely with South Wales Police Police for its sensitive coverage of a Commonwealth Games, Radio Clyde to tackle drug-related crime in the city. spate of teenage suicides in South was on hand to provide award- As well as working with the Swansea Wales. In the aftermath of the suicides, winning live coverage. In addition to Drugs Project, the news team has Bridge FM also launched a Community station journalists reporting live from reported live from drug raids and Action feature, which highlighted the Sri Lanka in the anxious final hours interviewed the officers involved to work of the Samaritans in Bridgend before the winner was announced, the raise awareness among listeners of the County and the work of Paypyrus, a news team produced a documentary dangers and societal costs of drugs charity that offers help and support to tracing the progress of the bid from its use. family members affected by suicide. conception right up to the announcement of the winner. ‘Drug-related crime is at the forefront of the Swansea Division’s priorities and ‘Congratulations to Radio Clyde, one of the assistance we receive from the the broadcasting outfits that actually local press and radio and, in particular, managed to cover the live The Wave is invaluable’ announcement of the Commonwealth PETER AZZOPARDI, Detective Chief Inspector, Games!’ Swansea Police Officer ALEX SALMOND, First Minister of Scotland 40| NEWS AND INFORMATION

96.9 Viking FM 105.4 Century FM Reflecting the concerns of local people, Century Radio North West was one of Hull’s Viking FM conducted a special the first media outlets to broadcast the investigation into teen binge drinking. tragic news of Rhys Jones’s death. This included emotional interviews, Century’s journalist, Sean Woods, with a 16 year old homeless female reported live from the scene, and who had been forced into prostitution secured a compelling eye-witness in order to fund her drink habit and account. Over the following days, children as young as 11 who have Century Radio’s news team produced a been hospitalised for drink related series of special reports, covering the problems. The health implications of outpouring of grief, an interview with binge drinking were also stressed on- Rhys’ parents, interviews with gang air by a doctor and youth worker. members and the funeral and memorial service. The station also broadcast a Gun Crime Special, focussing on gun crime in Manchester.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Sound for your support during the water emergency. Distribution of key messages and accuracy of reporting have been crucial, and I am grateful for all that you and your team have done’ TIM BRAIN, Chief Constable Gloucestershire Constabulary NEWS AND INFORMATION |41

WEATHER & TRAVEL Of course, news is not the only form of information provided by Commercial Radio. In addition, the industry is an important disseminator of weather and travel bulletins. Stations broadcast, on average, over 17 weather bulletins and 12 travel bulletins each day. The average weather bulletin lasts just under one minute, an increase of To enhance Capital 95.8’s coverage of coverage, broadcasting emergency 29% on the 2004 audit. On average, the 2008 Flora London Marathon, advice and launching relief appeals, stations broadcast over an hour of extra travel bulletins were broadcast to often despite having been directly weather updates per week. ensure that Londoners were able to affected themselves. Gloucester’s The average travel bulletin lasts just enjoy the special day. Severn Sound and Star 107.5 were over one minute, representing a both forced to evacuate their studios, 10% increase on 2004. On average, 2007 Summer Floods coverage but, like others, managed to continue broadcasting in their community’s time stations broadcast nearly an hour and In June and July 2007, severe rainfall of need. a half of travel bulletins per week. hit parts of Britain, resulting in floods Commercial Radio travel bulletins help that were the worst to hit the UK in to alleviate traffic chaos at the key time modern history. periods, breakfast and drive time. For The unprecedented weather paralysed example, when the Forth Road Bridge parts of the country, leaving tens of was closed for an entire day due to a thousands of homes without clean fuel spillage, Forth One was able to water or electricity. In these times of ‘The media, particularly local radio, has provide regular traffic updates and crisis, people turned to their local a pivotal role in passing important inform listeners of alternative routes, Commercial Radio stations. information to the large numbers of thus preventing gridlock on the routes people affected by flooding or loss of into Edinburgh. Stations in the affected areas went into essential services… In many cases, the overdrive, stepping up their local news media acted as a ‘friendly voice’, listening to public concerns and providing a sense of reassurance, especially to people isolated by the floods and those living alone.’ Extract from the Cabinet Office report, ‘Pitt Review: Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods’ 42| NEWS AND INFORMATION

Home Office Stop and Search The Central Office of Information The Home Office Stop and Search The largest advertiser on Commercial radio campaign sought to increase Radio is the Government’s Central awareness amongst young urban Office of Information. The COI’s Public communities of their rights when Information campaigns cover a wide stopped and searched by the police. A range of topics including health, safety, live question and answer forum, giving welfare, skills and recruitment. young adults the chance to ask Listeners typically describe their questions face to face with key policy favourite Commercial Radio station as makers, was broadcast on the Choice their friend. The very personal National Blood Service Donor FM website. Recruitment relationship between stations and listeners, and the fact that radio is This extensive radio campaign aimed to often privately consumed, means that The Big Quit raise awareness and change the Commercial Radio is able to deliver perception of blood donation amongst The Big Quit was England’s biggest sensitive information to targeted and ethnic minorities, a traditionally ever initiative to encourage people to often difficult to reach audiences in a difficult to reach audience. Presenter quit smoking. It received discreet and tactful manner. donation diaries and interviews with unprecedented support across the National Blood Service were Commercial Radio in 2006-8 and will broadcast. Religious concerns were run again in 2009. allayed through interviews with faith leaders. Other campaigns include a Home Office campaign to inform the public about Neighbourhood Policing teams, the Energy Savings Trust’s awareness- building campaign and the Department of Transport’s drive to inform listeners about changes in mobile phone legislation. |43 MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT 44| MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

RADIO REMAINS THE NO 1 PLACE TO DISCOVER NEW MUSIC. For 35 years Commercial Radio has radio’s role, actually adds another ACCORDING TO THE BIG been introducing audiences to new stage to the process for discovering LISTEN, 83% OF 15-19 YEAR and exciting music. Of the 347 UK and then driving purchase of music. OLDS, 87% OF 20-24 AND Commercial Radio stations, there is a 57% said they have at some time 66% OF 40-44s AGREE THAT station to suit everyone’s musical taste downloaded a song as soon as they’ve THE RADIO GIVES THEM and every genre of music is heard it on the radio while 44% said IDEAS OF WHAT SONGS TO represented somewhere, at some time. they’ve gone to the station’s website BUY. to see the name of a song playing right Classic FM has brought classical music there and then. to the masses; stations such as Galaxy COMMERCIAL RADIO and Kiss cater to dance music fans; As well being expert at knowing the STATIONS BROADCAST stations such as Planet Rock satisfy perfect song to play at the right NEARLY 11 HOURS OF rock aficionados. DAB radio has also moment, stations expand their SPECIALIST MUSIC provided a new platform for dedicated listeners’ musical horizons with PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK. music stations like The Hits, Chill and specialist and live music that NME. challenges and educates, as well as 71% OF LISTENERS STATED entertains. THAT RADIO INTRODUCED Presenters remain a trusted musical THEM TO AN ARTIST THEY guide. Consequently, radio continues The vast majority of Commercial Radio WOULD NOT HAVE HEARD to be the most vital driver for both stations include specialist music ELSEWHERE. discovering new music and stimulating programming1 within their schedules. music purchase. Stations2 broadcast an average of 70% OF SPECIALIST nearly 11 hours of specialist music Three times as many respondents cited STATIONS PLAY UNSIGNED programming each week; an average radio as the most important source for BANDS EVERY WEEK. of an hour and a half each day. In discovering new music compared to London this figure rises to an average the internet. 83% OF COMMERCIAL RADIO of 25 hours of specialist music STATIONS INCLUDE LOCAL 68% of respondents said that hearing programming every week, reflecting ARTISTS SOMEWHERE IN music on the radio influenced them to the wealth of dedicated music stations THEIR SCHEDULE. go out and purchase it, compared to within the capital. just 24% for the internet and 22% for The most common genre of specialist TV. music programming is rock, followed The research also reveals that the by dance and disco, jazz and blues and internet, far from detracting from folk and country.

1 Specialist music programming consists of shows that are not based upon the station playlist or listeners request. 2 When speech stations are excluded from the analysis. MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT |45

Commercial Radio provides a platform GMG – Rolling River of Rock for new and unsigned acts. Over a GMG’s Smooth Radio and Real Radio quarter of Commercial Radio stations – networks broadcast a six part 27% – play unsigned bands at least documentary series, ‘Rolling River of weekly. Specialist music stations Rock’, exploring the musical heritage outperform the rest of the industry in along the route of the Mississippi river. this respect: 70% of specialist stations The series sought to uncover why play unsigned bands every week; 24% certain types of music were born and playing them every day. flourished in certain areas and how the And Commercial Radio stations do not banks of the Mississippi brought us the simply play well-known, international roots of all today’s popular music. Virgin Radio – One Last Dream artists but instead strive to reflect their Reigniting the hopes of thousands of communities. 10% of stations play old rockers, Virgin Radio conducted a local bands on a daily basis and a nationwide competition to find further 25% do so weekly. Shows Britain’s best ‘lost’ group. The which champion local artists and competition received a tremendous bands include Mix 96’s ‘Live and response and it made for compelling Local’, Brunel FM’s ‘The Frequency’ audio as missing band members were and Wessex FM’s ‘Unplugged’. In fact reunited, having been tracked down by 83% of Commercial Radio stations on-air and on-line appeals, some include local artists somewhere on having not spoken for decades. The their schedule. The liveliness of the winning band, chosen by Virgin Welsh music scene is reflected by the listeners, was the Steve Boyce Band, fact that 55% of Welsh stations play which had formed in 1977, splitting local bands and artists every week. three years later. The Steve Boyce Band, Nothing quite beats a live performance reunited, was given the chance to play from a favourite artist. Commercial in front of 60,000 fans in Hyde Park. Radio stations therefore strive to broadcast live music as much as possible. 30% of stations play live music at least once a month, 15% weekly. 24% of specialist music stations play live performances daily. 46| MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Classic FM – When Classic meets… Xfm Manchester – Heart and Soul Club Asia – Backstage & In The Frame To correspond with the release of ‘Backstage’, the UK’s first Asian Rock The ‘When Classic meets...’ series Control, the film that dramatised the radio show, is broadcast every Sunday explored the combination of classical events that led to the suicide of Ian on Club Asia, a London based AM music and other music genres. Jazz, Curtis, Xfm Manchester produced a station targeting 15-44 year old British rock, pop (presented by Courtney Pine, special Joy Division documentary. Asians. The show aims to reflect the Rick Wakeman and Blur’s Alex James ‘Heart and Soul’ explained Ian’s story diversity of the Asian youth music respectively) all featured. ‘In The from the point of view of the three scene and has welcomed many Asian Frame’ brought together classical remaining band members, all of whom guitar and rock artists onto the show. music and art; celebrity guests were interviewed by Xfm Manchester. discussed their favourite works of art, The documentary also highlighted the to the soundtrack of the best classical influence of Manchester on the band music. and Manchester’s renowned musical heritage. MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT |47

A selection of local music shows…

Alpha 103.2 – Sunday Night Live 99.9 Radio Norwich – The Spire FM – Live and Local Broadcast every Sunday evening, Unsigned Broadcast every Sunday, ‘Live and ‘Sunday Night Live’ gives local Every Monday evening 99.9 Radio Local’ is dedicated to supporting and Darlington bands the chance to perform Norwich offers air-time to local promoting the eclectic range of music two live acoustic sets and promote their unsigned bands and promotes their that lurks in the towns of the South upcoming gigs and albums. website and forthcoming gigs. Wiltshire and West Hampshire area.

107.8 Arrow FM and 107.5 107.7 Brunel FM – The Frequency Q103 – Made in Cambridge Sovereign Radio – Sunday Rocks Broadcast every Sunday, ‘The Q103’s monthly local music show ‘Sunday Rocks’ features local bands Frequency’ is a unique collaboration uncovered such a wealth of talent the and musicians performing acoustic or between 107.7 Brunel FM and a local station decided to produce a CD, full electric sets. As well as supporting arts and culture magazine. Exclusive ‘Made in Cambridge’, comprising new musicians, ‘Sunday Rocks’ also works artist session are made available in a music from unsigned Cambridge to assist other local music initiatives in weekly podcast. The show has grown bands. Sold in local music stores, the community, including ‘Showcase to include ‘Frequency Airborne’, a profits from sales were donated to 2007’, a battle of the bands style battle of the bands style competition. local charities. competition. 48| MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

I’M IN THE MOOD FOR… The variety of music played across the Classic FM – the UK’s only 100% classical radio station whole Commercial Radio industry is Gold Radio – classic pop from the last five decades unmatched. Specialist music stations Chill Radio – chillout music from around the world allow listeners to concentrate on their Planet Rock – the UK’s classic rock station preferred genre of music, hear their The Hits – the biggest hits across all music genres favourite songs, discover relevant new NME – the best in new and alternative music and unsigned music and keep up to Smooth Radio – melodic music from the past six decades date with the latest news on the music Kerrang! Radio – a mix of modern and classic rock scene. Choice – focus on hip hop, soul, rap, reggae, garage and gospel Kiss – dance, R&B and urban

‘Radio is much more important for musicians than it has ever been due to the lack of other opportunities’ GARY BARLOW MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT |49

UK Music Week 2008 BRITS Radio Week During May 2007, 250 of the UK’s Over 170 Commercial Radio stations Commercial Radio stations took part in took part in the 2008 BRITs Radio UK Music Week, a week of special Week, with special BRITs radio programming to celebrate the best in programming including special new and established UK artists. interviews with BRITs nominated artists. Sessions and exclusive interviews with The week culminated with a three hour Amy Winehouse, Mika, Paolo Nutini, show on the night of the Awards. Travis and Natasha Bedingfield were broadcast.

‘UK Music Week is an opportunity for more diversity on the radio and this is a breath of fresh air for listeners. We ‘It makes perfect sense for congratulate the UK Commercial Radio to Commercial Radio sector get together and celebrate for giving their listeners an music that is actually opportunity to hear more of coming out of the UK and the great music made in by UK artists…I’m really this country’ excited to be part of this’ ALISON WENHAM, CEO, MIKA Association of Independent Music 50| |51 SPEECH AND DEBATE 52| SPEECH AND DEBATE

COMMERCIAL RADIO GENERATES TALKABILITY AND DEBATE. Keep Talking talkSPORT, Commercial Radio has a of guest interviews per week, whilst number of regional speech stations, speech stations broadcast an average The speech content of Commercial including Talk 107 in Edinburgh, City of 13 hours. Full Service Local stations Radio is as diverse as its musical Talk in Liverpool and LBC 97.3 FM in produce over an hour and a half of output. London. These all inform, educate and guest interviews whilst London Commercial Radio stations typically entertain their listeners, through commercial stations produce over 3 broadcast 23.7 cumulative hours of speech and debate, 24 hours a day, 7 hours of guest interviews a week. speech each week3 – almost a whole days a week. And, just as Commercial Radio stations day’s worth. Full Service Local stations Commercial Radio pioneered the feature specialist music programming – such as Kestrel FM in Basingstoke listener phone-in and today’s stations alongside their usual playlists, stations and Fire 107.6 in Bournemouth – broadcast, on average, over two hours also feature dedicated speech exceed this average, broadcasting 25 of phone-ins per week. Adult programmes in their schedules. On hours of speech every week. Contemporary and Contemporary Hits average, stations broadcast around an Stations that target a niche audience Radio both exceed this total, hosting hour and a half of magazine style tend to broadcast more speech two and a half hours and over four programming every week. Again, Full content than the average. Thus Premier hours of phone-ins on a weekly basis. Service Local stations produce more Christian Radio and Polish Radio, both This interaction with the listener is one than average, just under two hours, of which broadcast across London on of radio’s key strengths, and enhances reflecting their aim to act as the voice DAB, broadcast 70 hours and 50 hours the community of listeners that radio of their community. Speech features respectively. Manx Radio, broadcasting stations naturally cultivate. include Bridge FM’s daily Welsh lessons to the Isle of Man, has at least 55 and Smooth Glasgow’s weekly book Another form of radio’s interactivity is hours of speech each week. review show. its frequent engagement with guests, Commercial Radio has a proud whether local community figures or A- tradition of speech radio. In addition list celebrities. The average Commercial to the national speech station, Radio station produces around an hour

8 When speech stations have been removed. Speech content was defined as including news, travel, weather, DJ chat, phone-ins and magazine style programming. SPEECH AND DEBATE |53

THE AVERAGE COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION BROADCASTS ALMOST A DAY’S WORTH OF SPEECH PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK. THE AVERAGE STATION BROADCASTS OVER AN HOUR OF GUEST INTERVIEWS PER WEEK. High Peak Radio – The Bradshaws Oxford FM – Girls Talk COMMERCIAL RADIO High Peak Radio broadcasts a short The award-winning ‘Girls Talk’ show on STATIONS BROADCAST AN radio play every afternoon. ‘The Oxford FM features guests, HOUR AND A HALF OF Bradshaws’ tells the story of a family information and chat on a different MAGAZINE STYLE who live in 1950s Northern England. topic every week. Recent subjects PROGRAMMING EVERY All the voices are performed by their discussed have included abortion, WEEK. creator Buzz Hawkins. 2.30pm has sexual health, vegetarianism, stress and become afternoon teabreak for many the paranormal. The interactive nature factories and offices in the High Peak of the show ensures that as many area, as listeners tune in to hear the different views are heard as possible. latest from The Bradshaw family. 54| SPEECH AND DEBATE

Channel 103 FM – Sunday Roast Lite 106.8 – Talking Peterborough Hallam FM – The Confessional Jersey’s Channel 103 broadcasts a Local issues are given a prominent Hallam FM’s late night talk show, The weekly topical news programme which place in the schedule of Lite 106.8. Confessional, features local listeners’ gives islanders the chance to hear ‘Talking Peterborough’, the daily four most revealing secrets and feelings. about community issues and, in turn, hour discussion show, gets to the heart Each episode is completely listener-led have their voices heard. ‘Sunday Roast’ of issues of local importance and sees and presenters do not shy away from features a combination of live studio a variety of guests including a weekly asking the difficult questions. The guests, including prominent Jersey local health slot, and regular visits from degree of intimacy and honesty from politicians, recorded interviews and vox the Council Leader and local theatre listeners creates a strong sense of pops, allowing for a wide selection of manager. community around the show. issues to be covered, including the Haut de la Garenne abuse investigation, domestic violence and fostering and adoption. SPEECH AND DEBATE |55

Radio Pembrokeshire – Reverend Rutland Radio – The Romantics Spire FM – Festival Live Peter Lewis Rutland Radio has been a keen During the Salisbury International Arts The Rector for Narberth, the Reverend supporter of the Oakham Arts Festival Festival, Spire FM broadcast Festival Peter Lewis, is a valued member of the for over five years. In 2007, the drama Live; two weeks of features, previews, team at 102.5 Radio Pembrokeshire. In group Oakham Festival Creates reviews and interviews with the addition to playing some of his musical produced a bespoke radio play. The performers, including a Zulu dance favourites, Peter regularly welcomes Romantics, a comedy about a working group, who performed at Stonehenge. local guests to the studio, including class boy who dreams of fame and Live music from musicians participating representatives from local charities and stardom, was broadcast on Rutland in the festival was also played on Spire community organisations. Radio every evening over the two FM. weeks of the festival, alongside other festival events. 56| SPEECH AND DEBATE

POLITICAL COVERAGE Commercial Radio plays a key role in informing listeners about the operation of political processes and the latest developments in Westminster and the respective devolved political institutions. This is especially important given Commercial Radio’s high share of listening amongst the young and ethnic minorities, audiences that the news-providing media often find it difficult to reach. Coast 96.3 and Champion 103 97.3 Forth One At the 2007 Political Party Autumn Coast 96.3 and Champion 103, based Edinburgh's 97.3 Forth One keeps a conferences, 120 MPs were in North Wales, gave extensive on-air close eye on the Scottish Parliament. interviewed by their local Commercial and online coverage to the recent Forth’s 2007 election night special Radio station. This gave MPs the Welsh Assembly elections. As well as consisted of seven hours of live speech opportunity to directly engage with interviewing local assembly members programming and culminated in Commercial Radio listeners in their about important community matters, Forth’s Political Editor, Colin Mackay, constituencies. the two stations also frequently hear breaking the news of the SNP’s victory. from the Senedd, the main meeting Colin regularly provides live inserts on place of the Assembly. Whenever First breaking news from Parliament, as well Minister Rhodri Morgan is in the area as exclusive stories. First Minister Alex he pops into the studio, and listeners Salmond has hosted Forth 2’s Sunday are given the chance to question him. Phone-In programme. SPEECH AND DEBATE |57

LBC 97.3 Downtown Radio LBC 97.3 and LBC News 1152 kept Downtown Radio has been covering listeners up to date with the 2008 Northern Irish politics for more than London Mayoral campaign. The two three decades. Over the years, stations broadcast the first radio Downtown’s award-winning political debate, when all three candidates – reporter, Eamonn Mallie, has Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson and interviewed Nelson Mandela, Margaret Brian Paddick – took questions from Thatcher, Bill Clinton and Mother listeners. In addition, every week Theresa. The station frequently breaks during April, breakfast presenter Nick political exclusives, including the news Ferrari had a panel of listeners that Ian Paisley was standing down as giving their views on topical election First Minister. The tenth anniversary of issues. the Good Friday agreement, in April 2008, was marked by interviews with Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Agreement architect George Mitchell. ‘I think that local Commercial Radio serves the political process very well…Commercial Radio is a vital component of communication for people like me’ THE RT HON CHARLES KENNEDY MP 58| SPEECH AND DEBATE

SPORTS PROGRAMMING Commercial Radio’s close links to local communities has led it to develop a strong tradition in sports programming. Stations are key supporters of their local teams and provide passionate coverage of their regular trials and tribulations. Sport- focused Commercial Radio shows often include a high amount of listener interaction, through phone-ins, guest interviews and competitions, allowing listeners to voice their opinions and engage with the pundits. talkSPORT, the UK’s national commercial speech station, is a respected voice in the sporting world. It become the first national commercial radio station to win the rights to broadcast live top-flight Premier League football games and also broadcasts live from the Champions League, UEFA Cup Finals, FIFA World Cup and Rugby World Cup. SPEECH AND DEBATE |59

96.4 Eagle Radio Six FM Talk 107 Eagle Radio followed local basketball Broadcasting in the mid-Ulster region Talk 107’s ‘The Kickabout’ is a light- club Guildford Heat, winners of the of Northern Ireland, Six FM is hearted football show, which features British Basketball League, to Sarajevo passionate about sports reporting. The regular ex professional pundits from and Barcelona when they competed at team focus on those sports which are East of Scotland making appearances the European level. Eagle broadcast keenly followed by people in the area – voicing their opinions on the the build up to each game, making for in particular the Gaelic Athletic performance of Edinburgh’s sport’s compelling listening, despite The Heat Association, football and motorsport. teams. suffering defeat in all of their matches.

Radio City The Bay West FM Radio City’s Sports Team proudly The Bay’s sports feature, ‘Team Talk’, West FM’s weekly four-hour live sports followed Liverpool Football Club to the closely follows the fortunes, both on show, ‘Superscoreboard’, is broadcast final of the 2007 Champions League. and off the pitch, of local football throughout the football season. The In addition to reporting from the clubs Morecambe, Lancaster, Kendal focus is primarily on local football match, the team found themselves and Barrow. The station speaks to the teams, including Kilmarnock F.C, investigating why the ticketing system team managers on a weekly basis, Queen of the South and Annan in Athens had failed so badly. The ensuring that listeners hear the very Athletic, and includes pre-match build- award-winning coverage broadcast latest developments, straight from the up and interviews, half-time goal fans’ disappointment as well as bosses themselves. ‘Team Talk’ also updates and post-match analysis. exposing UEFA's failings, through a contains details of the biggest seasonal ‘Superscoreboard’ also gives coverage secretly taped phone call. sporting events, like Wimbledon, the to all junior and amateur football Olympics and the European within the locality and other sports, Championships. including Scottish Rugby and horse racing. 60|

APPENDIX

METHODOLOGY GLOSSARY 2008 Programme Audit Radio and music research 2008 Adult Contemporary = a music- based format which features a variety All UK Commercial Radio stations were In 2008, RadioCentre commissioned of popular recent and classic songs, invited to participate in the 2008 new research into the roles of music targeting a 25+ adult audience . Commercial Radio Audit. The audit ran and radio in the lives of our listeners. from Monday 7 April to Sunday 27 Findings referred to in this publication Contemporary Hits Radio = a April, a total of three weeks. derive from the quantitative stage that music-based format featuring current was carried out by Clark Chapman popular songs, targeting a younger 15- In total, 233 stations returned data for between Monday 7 and Friday 18 April 24 adults at least one week. This represents 79% 2008. This comprised face-to-face in- of RadioCentre membership, and 67% Full Service Local = a mix of news, street interviews across six cities with of the Commercial Radio industry as a music and speech from the local 628 18-55 year olds. whole. perspective While the survey ran over 3 weeks (to The Big Listen 2007 Gold = stations which focus on classic give as many stations as possible the hits from the last four decades In 2007, RadioCentre commissioned a opportunity to participate) compliance wide-ranging study of today’s radio Rhythmic = a music mix of rhythmic was set at one week’s data, it having listeners called The Big Listen. Findings pop, R&B, Hip Hop and dance been demonstrated that findings are referred to in this publication derive broadly consistent from one week to Specialist = a music service focused from the quantitative stage that was the next. Where stations submitted on a particular genre of music e.g. carried out by Ipsos-MORI during April more than one week’s data (171 rock, indie or classical and May 2007. The sample comprised stations submitted all across all three 1001 ex-RAJAR respondents aged Speech = exclusively, or weeks), an average across the period between 15 and 44 who filled out a overwhelmingly, speech output was taken. self-completion questionnaire. In order to produce industry-wide conclusions, results were weighted RAJAR according to station genre (Adult Where quoted, and unless otherwise Contemporary; Contemporary Hits stated, RAJAR figures refer to the Radio; Full Service Local; Gold; period 31 December 2007 – 23 March Rhythmic; Specialist; and Speech) and 2008 (Q1 2008), source RAJAR/Ipsos- then summed to give a realistic analysis MORI/RSMB. across the whole Commercial Radio industry. A previous Commercial Radio audit ran for 6 weeks from 14 June 2004. 218 stations participated. RC_CRCAPSBReport_4ppCover - Side 2 - version 3b finished size: 210 square, spine on artwork 5mm(adjust as neccessary)

The Output and Impact of Commercial Radio The Output and Impact of Commercial Radio

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