Timeline of Global Radio
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A timeline of notable events relating to Global Radio, a British media company founded in 2007.
2000s
- 2007
- Global is founded by Ashley Tabor-King, with financial backing from his father Michael Tabor.{{cite news|last1=Prosser|first1=David|title=The Business On... Ashley Tabor OBE, Founder and Global Group CEO, Global Radio|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/the-business-on-ashley-tabor-founder-and-global-group-ceo-global-radio-2079407.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/the-business-on-ashley-tabor-founder-and-global-group-ceo-global-radio-2079407.html |archive-date=2022-05-07 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 October 2015 |work=The Independent |location= London |date=15 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}
- 25 June – Global purchases Chrysalis Radio for £170 million, thereby acquiring the radio brands Heart, Galaxy, LBC and The Arrow.{{cite news|first=Sarah |last=Crawley-Boevey |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/global-radio-buys-chrysalis-radio-170m/666477 |title=Global Radio buys Chrysalis Radio for £170m |publisher=Campaign Live |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=13 May 2018}}
- 2008
- 31 March – Global agrees to purchase rival GCap Media for £375 million.{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Brook |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/mar/31/gcapmedia.globalradio1 |title=Global Radio buys GCap Media for £375m |newspaper=The Guardian |date=31 March 2008 |access-date=13 May 2018}}
- 31 October – Global Radio officially takes control of all GCap Media and its brands, giving it ownership of The One Network. The GCap Media name is dropped at this time.
- 2009
- 5 January – Chiltern Radio, Hereward FM, Radio Broadland, Q103, Northants 96, SGR Colchester, SGR Ipswich, and Horizon Radio are all rebranded as Heart after earlier being acquired by Global Radio.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/jan/05/globalradio-commercialradio|title= Global Radio's Heart rebrand: what do you think?|publisher= Guardian.co.uk|date= 5 January 2009|access-date= 1 January 2010 | location=London | first=John | last=Plunkett}}
- 7 April – Global sells its stake in the Digital One multiplex to transmission company Arqiva.{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/apr/07/global-radio-digital-one-arqiva|title=Global Radio sells Digital One to Arqiva|date=Apr 7, 2009|website=The Guardian|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}}
- May – Orion Media purchases Midlands stations BRMB, Mercia, Wyvern, Beacon and Heart 106 from Global Radio for a sale price worth £37.5 million.{{cite news|url= http://radiotoday.co.uk/2009/07/midlands-radio-sale-cleared/|title= Midlands radio sale cleared|publisher= Radio Today|date= 2 July 2009|access-date= 9 September 2012}}
2010s
- 2010
- 21 June – Global Radio announces plans to reduce the number of its local Heart stations from 33 to 15 so-called "super stations" in a reorganisation that will lead to the loss of up to 200 full-time and freelance posts. The stations will have their own breakfast and drivetime shows, and local news bulletins, but all other output will come from London. A further two stations owned by Global will also be subsumed into the Heart network.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/jun/21/global-radio-restructure|title= Global Radio to halve number of local Heart stations|work= The Guardian|first= John|last= Plunkett|date= 21 June 2010|access-date= 3 September 2010}}
- 13 September – Global announce plans to scrap the Galaxy Network in order to create a nationwide Capital FM. The plans will also include the closure of four further stations, with the new network going live in early 2011.{{cite news|first=Maisie |last=McCabe |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/global-radio-takes-capital-national/1028137 |title=Global Radio takes Capital national |publisher=Campaign Live |date=13 September 2010 |access-date=11 May 2018}}
- 2011
- 3 January – Capital FM launches as a nine-strong quasi-national network of stations. It subsumes Capital London, The Hit Music Network and the Galaxy network.
- 2012
- 25 June – GMG Radio is sold to Global Radio for a yet-to-be-disclosed amount, thought to be around £50m. However, some structural changes will be made to either organisations until the deal has been investigated by Ofcom.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/06/global-radio-buys-gmg-radio/ |title=Global Radio purchases GMG Radio |publisher=Radio Today |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=27 June 2012}} Several rival radio groups express their concerns over the takeover and the effect it could have on commercial radio in the UK.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/06/radio-groups-oppose-global-domination/ |title=Radio groups oppose Global domination |publisher=Radio Today |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=27 June 2012}}
- 3 July – Global Radio announce plans to branch into television with the launch of two non-stop music channels; Heart TV and Capital TV, which will go on air from September.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/07/global-radio-to-launch-heart-capital-tv/ |title=Global Radio to launch Heart & Capital TV |publisher=Radio Today |date=3 July 2012 |access-date=9 July 2012}}
- 3 August – Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt instructs Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading to examine Global Radio's £70m purchase of GMG Radio.{{cite news|first=Katherine |last=Rushton |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9449285/Jeremy-Hunt-calls-on-Ofcom-and-OFT-to-probe-Guardians-radio-deal.html |title=Jeremy Hunt calls on Ofcom and OFT to probe Guardian's radio deal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=4 August 2012}}
- 11 October – The Office of Fair Trading agrees to fast-track the investigation into Global Radio's purchase of GMG Radio after Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller says the deal will not be investigated for media plurality. The matter is also forwarded onto the Competition Commission, which oversees business mergers and takeovers.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/10/the-oft-grants-fast-track-to-global-radio/ |title=The OFT grants fast-track to Global Radio |publisher=Radio Today |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012}} The Competition Commission later announces 27 March 2013 as the date on which it will publish its findings into the takeover.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/10/date-set-for-global-radios-competition-commission-results/ |title=Date set for Global Radio's CC results |publisher=Radio Today |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012}}
- 12 October – Global launches two television channels – Heart TV and Capital TV.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/10/heart-and-capital-tv-start-broadcasting/ |title=Heart and Capital TV start broadcasting |publisher=Radio Today |date=12 October 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012}}
- 2013
- 14 February – The Competition Commission publish their preliminary findings into the Global Radio takeover of GMG Radio, recommending a full or partial sale of the now renamed Real and Smooth Radio Ltd.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/02/cc-offers-three-options-for-global-radio/ |title=CC offers three options for Global Radio |publisher=Radio Today |date=14 February 2013 |access-date=14 February 2013}}
- 21 May – The Competition Commission publishes its final report into Global's acquisition of GMG Radio, requiring Global to sell radio stations in seven locations.{{cite news|url= http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2013/May/global-gmg-final-report |title=Global/GMG Final report|publisher= Competition Commission|date= 21 May 2013|url-status= usurped |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140402141250/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2013/May/global-gmg-final-report|archive-date=2 April 2014}}{{efn|The stations involved were: Smooth or Capital (East Midlands); Real or Capital (South Wales); Real or Heart (North Wales); Capital or Real XS with either Real or Smooth (North West); Real or Smooth or Capital (North East); Real or Capital (Yorkshire); and Real or Capital (Scotland)}}
- 1 October – Smooth Radio is moved to Global Radio's Leicester Square headquarters in London and given a makeover.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/10/global-welcomes-smooth-radio-to-london-hq/ |title=Global welcomes Smooth Radio to London HQ |publisher=Radio Today |date=3 October 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013}}
- 3 October – Global Radio announces that Smooth 70s will close less than a week after Smooth programming moved to its London headquarters.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/10/smooth-radio-70s-to-close-after-21-months/ |title=Smooth Radio 70s to close after 21 months |publisher=Radio Today |date=3 October 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013}}
- 7 October – Choice FM is rebranded as Capital Xtra and launches nationally on DAB radio.{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/10/global-to-change-choice-to-capital-xtra/ |title=Global to change Choice to Capital XTRA |publisher=Radio Today |date=2013-10-03 |access-date=2013-10-03}}
- 31 December – A financial report released by Global Radio shows the company paid £69m for the purchase of GMG Radio.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/12/globals-gmg-radio-takeover-cost-revealed/ |title=Global's GMG Radio takeover cost revealed |publisher=Radio Today |date=31 December 2013 |access-date=1 January 2014}}
- 2014
- 20 January – Global Radio is found to be in breach of their license remit for Heart Cornwall after a listener complained to Ofcom that there was not enough local news and speech to make it a fully local station.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/global-radio-in-breach-for-heart-cornwall/ |title=Global Radio in breach for Heart Cornwall |publisher=Radio Today |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=27 January 2014}}
- 6 February – Global Radio sells eight of its regional stations to Irish media holdings firm Communicorp.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/communicorp-buys-8-global-radio-stations/ |title=Communicorp buys 8 Global Radio stations |publisher=Radio Today |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=6 February 2014}}
- 11 February – LBC 97.3 launches nationally on the Digital One platform, taking over the slot formerly occupied by Jazz FM. The station also secures a sponsorship deal with the Financial Times.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/global-radio-to-take-lbc-national-on-d1/ |title=Global Radio to take LBC national on D1 |publisher=Radio Today |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=31 January 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/financial-times-sponsors-new-uk-wide-lbc/ |title=Financial Times sponsors new UK wide LBC |publisher=Radio Today |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=12 February 2014}}
- 14 March – Global Radio announces that Gold will become a non-stop music service, with the exception of the breakfast show and Saturday's Vinyl Heaven. Presenters Paul Coyte, Eamonn Kelly, Dean Martin and Andy Peebles are also dropped from the network.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/gold-drops-presenters-outside-breakfast/ |title=Gold drops presenters outside breakfast |publisher=Radio Today |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=15 March 2014}}
- 24 March –
- Smooth Radio returns to airing local output on its regional frequencies, with local programming for Breakfast and Drivetime, and a raft of new presenters joining the network.{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/smooth-radio-returns-to-regional-output/ |title=Smooth Radio returns to regional output |publisher=Radio Today |date=19 March 2014 |access-date=19 March 2014}}
- Smooth Radio replaces Gold on MW across southern England.{{cite web|url=https://www.a516digital.com/2014/02/gold-announces-am-and-dab-departure-date.html|title=Gold announces AM and DAB departure date|access-date=10 May 2018}}
- 6 May – Heart North Wales launches. Consequently, the two local Heart north Wales stations become part of the Capital network.
- September – Global launches its Make Some Noise charity.{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/09/global-launches-make-some-noise-charity/|title=Global launches Make Some Noise charity – RadioToday|website=Radiotoday.co.uk|date=8 September 2014|access-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128132537/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/09/global-launches-make-some-noise-charity/|archive-date=28 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}
- 9 October – Global's first Make Some Noise Day raises over £1million for good causes.{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/1316672/global-makes-noise-charity-raises-1m|title=Global 'Makes Some Noise' charity raises £1m|website=Campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218144244/http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/1316672/global-makes-noise-charity-raises-1m|archive-date=18 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}
- 27 December – Global launches Smooth Extra on DAB.{{cite news|first=Roy |last=Martin |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/12/smooth-extra-launches-on-dab-digital-radio/ |title=Smooth Extra launches on DAB digital radio |publisher=Radio Today |date=27 December 2014 |access-date=7 January 2015}}
- 2015
- 7 September – Global announces that XFM will be relaunched as a national station called Radio X on 21 September.{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/09/full-line-up-for-globals-radio-x-confirmed/ |title=Full line-up for Global's Radio X confirmed |publisher=RadioToday |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=7 September 2015}}
- 13 September – Ahead of the relaunch of XFM as Radio X, Global hands back the Paisley licence, on which it had broadcast XFM Scotland, to Ofcom when the regulator refused Global's request to network 24/7 from London.
- 21 September – Radio X relaunches, and Chris Moyles joins the station to present the relaunched station's breakfast show with a return of the zoo format, and Vernon Kay also joins.
- 2016
- 18 January – Following Global Radio's purchase of Liverpool station Juice 107.6 for £10m{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/06/juice-fm-sold-to-global-to-expand-capital|title=Radio Today, June 2015|accessdate=Feb 16, 2023}} the station is relaunched as Capital Liverpool.[http://www.thisisglobal.com/global-updates/?hp=1551#capital-liverpool-will-launch-in-january-2016 Capital Liverpool Will Launch In January 2016], Global Radio, 16 December 2015
- 23 February – Launch of Heart Extra.
- March – Manchester station Real Radio XS is rebranded as XS Manchester.{{cite web|last=Macpherson |first=Ande |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2016/02/real-radio-xs-to-rebrand-as-xs-manchester/ |title= Real Radio XS to rebrand as XS Manchester |publisher=RadioToday |date=23 February 2016 |access-date=16 March 2016}}
- 12 September – Launch of the Global Academy, a University technical college based in London.
- 2017
- 20 January – The Global Academy is officially opened by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.{{cite web|url=http://www.global.com/global-updates/#the-duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-and-prince-harry-to-officialy-open-the-global-academy-in-support-of-heads-together|title=Global Updates – Global|first=Global|last=Radio|website=Global.com|access-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227095204/http://www.global.com/global-updates/#the-duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-and-prince-harry-to-officialy-open-the-global-academy-in-support-of-heads-together|archive-date=27 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}
- 14 March – Launch of Heart 80s.
- 20 November – Global announces that it has purchased Cumbrian stations The Bay and Lakeland Radio from CN Group.{{cite news|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/11/global-purchasesthe-bay-and-lakeland-radio/|title=Global purchases The Bay and Lakeland Radio|date=20 November 2017|publisher=Radio Today|access-date=21 November 2017|work=BBC News}}
- 20 December – Global Radio announce details of the voting categories for its inaugural awards ceremony, the Global Awards to be held at London's Hammersmith Eventim Apollo on 1 March 2018. The Awards will be reflective of the music, programmes and news aired on its network of stations.{{cite news|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/12/global-launches-its-own-entertainment-awards/|title=Global launches its own entertainment awards|work=Radio Today|date=20 December 2017|access-date=20 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/global-awards-categories-revealed/070947|title=Global Awards categories revealed|publisher=Music Week|date=20 December 2017|access-date=20 January 2018}}
- 2018
- January – Global Radio announces that it has brought Brighton station Juice 107.2 for an undisclosed sum[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/01/global-buys-juice-107-2-in-brighton-hove/ Global buys Juice 107.2 in Brighton & Hove], RadioToday, 17 January 2018 and in August it revealed that it would relaunch the station as Capital Brighton on Monday 3 September.[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/08/capital-brighton-to-launch-on-3rd-september/ Capital Brighton to launch on 3rd September], RadioToday, 2 August 2018
- 1 March – Global Radio holds its inaugural awards ceremony, the Global Awards at London's Hammersmith Apollo.{{cite news|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/12/global-launches-its-own-entertainment-awards/|title=Global launches its own entertainment awards|work=Radio Today|date=20 December 2017|access-date=20 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071719/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/12/global-launches-its-own-entertainment-awards/|archive-date=21 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/global-awards-categories-revealed/070947|title=Global Awards categories revealed|publisher=Music Week|date=20 December 2017|access-date=20 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121075013/http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/global-awards-categories-revealed/070947|archive-date=21 January 2018}}
- 5 March – Cumbrian stations The Bay and Lakeland Radio are relaunched as Heart North Lancashire & Cumbria and Smooth Lake District respectfully[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/01/plans-announced-for-the-bay-and-lakeland-radio/ Plans announced for The Bay and Lakeland Radio – RadioToday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233255/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/01/plans-announced-for-the-bay-and-lakeland-radio/ |date=2018-01-08 }}, Radio Today, 8 January 2018 following Global's purchase of the two stations from CN Group.{{cite news|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/11/global-purchasesthe-bay-and-lakeland-radio/|title=Global purchases The Bay and Lakeland Radio|date=20 November 2017|publisher=Radio Today|access-date=21 November 2017|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120135420/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/11/global-purchasesthe-bay-and-lakeland-radio/|archive-date=20 November 2017}}
- 31 July – Global announces that it has purchased Lancashire station 2BR from UKRD.[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/07/global-to-extend-into-lancashire-after-buying-2br/ Global expands in Lancashire after buying 2BR], RadioToday, 31 July 2018
- 11 October – After six years on air, Global closes its two music television channels Heart TV and Capital TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.a516digital.com/2018/10/global-pulls-plug-on-tv-stations.html|title=Global pulls plug on TV stations|work=a516digital|access-date=2018-10-11}}
- 2019
- 26 February – Following further deregulation allowing less locality, Global Radio announces plans to replace the regional breakfast shows on Capital, Heart and Smooth with a single national breakfast show for each network. Global also announces that it will take full advantage of the deregulation regarding the one non-national programme – a single three hour weekday programme – which allows local programmes to be replaced with regional programmes networked across all the stations in that region.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47371616 |title=Capital, Heart and Smooth cull local radio shows |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=26 February 2019}}
- 1 March – Launch of Smooth Country.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/03/global-just-launched-a-country-music-station-from-smooth-radio/|title=Global just launched a country music station from Smooth Radio|date=March 2019|access-date=13 March 2019}}
- 8 April – Capital London's breakfast show launches as a national programme, resulting in the scrapping of all other local breakfast shows apart from on Capital Cymru. The only 'local' programme is at drivetime and the new regulations mean that Global is able to replace local shows with 10 regional programmes which are networked across all stations in that region.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/03/roman-kemp-vick-hope-and-sonny-jay-to-go-national-on-capital/|title=Roman Kemp, Vick Hope and Sonny Jay to go national on Capital|date=11 March 2019|access-date=13 March 2019}}
- 3 June – Global launches a national 'Heart UK' breakfast show (broadcast from London), presented by Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden.[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/04/amanda-holden-to-join-jamie-theakston-for-heart-uk-breakfast/ Amanda Holden to join Jamie Theakston for Heart UK Breakfast], Radio Today, 29 April 2019 As with Capital, the only non networked programme is at drivetime with 23 local shows replaced by 10 regional programmes which are networked across all stations in that region.
- 10 June – Gold UK starts broadcasting nationally when it launches on Digital One.{{cite web|url=https://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/radio/james-bassam-dab-announcement/|title=Gold is now national across the UK, with James Bassam on The More Music Breakfast Show!|website=Gold|access-date=30 June 2019}}
- 21 June – Global launches another Heart spin-off station, Heart Dance.{{cite web |title=Listen to non-stop club classics with Heart Dance |website=Heart |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/radio/how-to-listen-to-heart-dance/ |access-date=June 17, 2019}}
- 28 August-3 September – Global launches five more stations on DAB – Heart 90s (28 Aug),{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/08/heart-90s-to-launch-on-national-dab-digital-radio/|title=Heart 90s to launch on national DAB digital radio|date=Aug 28, 2019|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}} Heart 70s (30 Aug),{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/08/heart-70s-to-launch-on-national-dab-digital-radio/|title=Heart 70s to launch on national DAB digital radio|date=Aug 29, 2019|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}} Capital XTRA Reloaded (2 September),{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/08/global-to-launch-capital-xtra-reloaded-across-the-uk/|title=Global to launch Capital XTRA Reloaded across the UK|date=Aug 30, 2019|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}} Smooth Country{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/09/smooth-country-goes-dab-with-eamonn-kelly/|title=Smooth Country goes DAB with Eamonn Kelly|date=Sep 2, 2019|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}} and Smooth Chill.{{cite web|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/radio/smooth-chill-listen-now/|title=Tune in to Smooth Chill now!|website=Smooth|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}}
- 1 September – Global closes rock station Arrow.{{cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7357103-the-arrow-closedown|title=The Arrow – closedown|website=Audioboom|accessdate=Aug 22, 2022}} It had been on air since 2001.
- 2 September –
- Global closes Chill after nearly 15 years on air. It is replaced the following day by Smooth Chill.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/09/smooth-chill-to-replace-chill-on-dab-in-london/|title=Smooth Chill to replace Chill|website=Radiotoday.co.uk|date=2 September 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-09-03}}
- Smooth's networked Drivetime show, presented by Angie Greaves, launches.[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/05/smooth-radio-poaches-angie-greaves-for-national-drive/ Smooth Radio poaches Angie Greaves for national Drive] Stuart Clarkson, Radio Today, 29 May 2019 At the same time, the number of breakfast shows drops to seven.
- 28 October – Global relaunches LBC London News as a national 24-hour rolling news channel titled LBC News.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/10/global-to-launch-24-hour-rolling-news-radio-station/|title = Global to launch 24 hour rolling news radio station|date = 21 October 2019}}
- 14 November – Ofcom gives its approval to change the format of six Quidem-owned stations – Banbury Sound, Rugby FM and the four Touch FM stations – to rhythmic-based, music-led services for listeners aged 15–29. The decision comes after Quidem entered into a deal with Global Radio to rebrand Quidem stations with one of Global's networks.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/11/ofcom-approves-format-changes-for-quidem-stations/|title=Ofcom approves format changes for Quidem stations|date=14 November 2019}}
2020s
- 2020
- 1 October – Global launches Capital Dance.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/10/jammy-move-as-global-poach-mistajam-for-capital-dance/|title=Jammy move as Global poach MistaJam for Capital Dance|date=Oct 1, 2020|access-date=Oct 2, 2020}}
- 3 October – Global Radio launches its first multimedia television advertising campaign, with the minute-long commercial first airing during an edition of Britain's Got Talent on ITV.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/10/hear-see-and-feel-globals-new-ad-campaign/|title=Hear, See and Feel Global's new TV ad campaign|date=Oct 3, 2020|access-date=Oct 5, 2020}}
- 2021
- 2 March – Global Radio is given Ofcom approval to drop the Heart Nightly News programme from a number of stations in the network previously owned by GMG Radio. As Real Radio the stations were required to provide extended news content, but Global has successfully argued listeners do not want to hear the programme. Heart also no longer has to commit to 24-hour news. The stations concerned are Heart Scotland, Heart Wales, Heart North Wales, Heart North West, Heart North East, Heart Yorkshire and Heart Cornwall; all were previously operated under the Real Radio name apart from Heart Cornwall.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/03/global-to-drop-heart-nightly-news-programmes/|title=Global to drop Heart Nightly News programmes|date=2 March 2021|accessdate=2 March 2021}}
- 9 August – Global Radio confirms that it has purchased Quidem Media, allowing it to take full control of six Midlands stations that are running under the Capital brand.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/08/global-buys-six-radio-stations-from-quidem-media/|title = Global buys six radio stations from Quidem Media|date = 9 August 2021}}
- 2022
- 13 June – Global Radio buys a share in Odeeo, a tech start-up that delivers audio ads in mobile games.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/06/global-enters-mobile-gaming-arena-with-investment-in-odeeo/ |title=Global enters mobile gaming arena with investment in Odeeo – RadioToday |publisher=Radiotoday.co.uk |date= 13 June 2022|accessdate=2022-06-14}}
- 2023
- 25 January – Smooth Radio undergoes a "brand refresh", with a new logo and strapline. "Your relaxing music mix" is replaced by "Always the best music".{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/01/26/global-introduces-new-logo-and-strapline-for-smooth-radio/|title=Global introduces new logo and strapline for Smooth Radio|date=26 January 2023|accessdate=27 January 2023}}
- 13 February – Capital Chill launches on the Sound Digital multiplex, and becomes the fifth Capital-branded station.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/02/global-launches-capital-chill-radio-station-on-national-dab/ |title=Global launches Capital Chill radio station on national DAB |publisher=Radio Today |date=13 February 2023 |accessdate=13 February 2023}}
- 16 February – Radio X Classic Rock is launched on the Sound Digital multiplex.{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/02/global-launches-brand-new-station-radio-x-classic-rock/|title=Global launches brand-new station Radio X Classic Rock|date=Feb 16, 2023|accessdate=Feb 16, 2023}}
- 18 May – Global Radio signs a deal with ITV to show highlights of the Capital Summertime Ball and Capital Jingle Bell Ball.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/05/itv-to-air-special-programmes-to-showcase-capitals-two-balls/ |title=ITV to air special programmes to showcase Capital's two balls |publisher=Radio Today |date=18 May 2023 |accessdate=18 May 2023}}
- 30 June – Global Radio switches off more of its AM frequencies. The switch-offs leave Gold network as a digital only service apart from in London and Manchester.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/06/global-to-turn-off-am-transmitters-for-gold-outside-london-and-manchester/ |title=Global to turn off AM transmitters for Gold outside London and Manchester |publisher=Radio Today |date=20 June 2023 |accessdate=20 June 2023}} and Smooth Radio's AM frequencies in Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Plymouth are switched off.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/06/global-to-turn-off-smooth-radios-medium-wave-transmitters/ |title=Global to turn off Smooth Radio's medium wave transmitters |publisher=Radio Today |date=26 June 2023 |accessdate=26 June 2023}}
- 10 August – The Radio Today website reports that Global have relaunched the Galaxy brand on their Global Player app with a playlist titled "Galaxy of Stars".{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/08/global-resurrects-former-commercial-radio-brand-galaxy/ |title=Global resurrects former commercial radio brand Galaxy |publisher=Radio Today |date=11 August 2023 |accessdate=11 August 2023}}
- 29 September – Global switches off of its 1548 kHz London frequency used by Gold.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Roy |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/08/gold-to-lose-its-london-1548-frequency-ahead-of-50th-anniversary/ |title=Gold to lose its London 1548 frequency ahead of 50th anniversary |publisher=Radio Today |date=14 August 2023 |accessdate=14 August 2023}}
- 2024
- 8 January – Smooth Relax launches.{{Cite web |first=Roy |last=Martin |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/01/smooth-radio-launches-smooth-relax-on-national-dab-multiplex/ |title=Smooth Radio launches Smooth Relax on national DAB multiplex |date=8 January 2024 |accessdate=8 January 2024 |publisher=Radio Today}} The station occupies the space on Digital One which had become available following the conversion of Classic FM to DAB+ the prior week.[https://www.worlddab.org/news/13913/global-launches-new-smooth-relax-station-on-dab+ WorldDAB, 2024-01-08] Smooth Relax reuses the format and slogan of "Your relaxing music mix", previously used by the main Smooth Radio network.
- April – Global nearly completes its withdrawal from broadcasting on AM when it switches off its last remaining MW transmitter for Gold in Greater Manchester.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gTaptVaxgo Gold 1458khz Manchester Closedown]
- 12 September – Global launches 12 new radio stations, all sister stations to its existing networks, with the new stations appearing on DAB and online.{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/09/global-to-launch-12-new-radio-stations-in-one-day/ |title=Global to launch 12 new radio stations in one day after a week long tease |date=9 September 2024 |accessdate=9 September 2024 |publisher=Radio Today}} They include Capital Anthems and Smooth 80s, which air nationally on DAB, with the rest broadcasting on digital multiplexes in London. The stations also include a relaunch of Smooth 70s and the first sister stations for Classic FM.{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/09/globals-12-new-radio-station-names-confirmed/ |title=Global’s 12 new radio station names confirmed |date=11 September 2024 |accessdate=11 September 2024 |publisher=Radio Today}}
- 31 October – Global removes LBC News from its London 1152 kHz medium wave frequency, but the station continues on DAB+, Smart speaker, and online.{{Cite web |first=Roy |last=Martin |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/lbc-news-to-vacate-1152-am-frequency-in-london/ |title=LBC News to vacate 1152 AM frequency in London |date=18 October 2024 |accessdate=18 October 2024 |publisher=Radio Today}}
- 2025
- 21 February – Heart, Smooth and Capital stations in England end all local and regional programming.[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/01/global-introduces-new-nations-strategy-and-drops-local-and-regional-shows-in-england/ Global introduces new ‘nations strategy’ and drops local and regional shows in England], Roy Martin, Radio Today, 9 January 2025
- 28 February – At 1:00PM, Global completes its withdrawal from broadcasting on AM when it switches off its last remaining MW transmitter, in North Wales and Cheshire which had carried Smooth Radio North Wales and Cheshire.https://mediumwave.info/2025/02/04/united-kingdom-495/
See also
Notes
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