100.4 Jazz FM(launched asJFM 100.4[1]) was anIndependent Local Radiostation for the North West England playingjazzmusic. 100.4 Jazz FM played its own music from its Salford studio during the day, whereas specialist shows likeDinner JazzandLegends of JazzwithRamsey Lewiswere networked from London's102.2 Jazz FM.The station was replaced bySmooth FM 100.4in 2004.
 | |
| Broadcast area | North West(FM/DAB) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 100.4MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Jazz |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | GMG Radio |
| History | |
First air date | 1 September 1994 |
Last air date | 13 February 2004 |
History
editIn 1993, Golden Rose Communications was awarded the regional FM licence for the North West, beating ten other applications for the licence.[2] Jazz FM was launched as JFM on 1 September 1994 and broadcast fromExchange Quays,inSalford,England. It was originally known as JFM in order to try to appeal to more listeners who were put off by the "jazz" in Jazz FM. The station name reverted to Jazz FM, a decision also made to its sister London station in 1995 when Richard Wheatly becamechief executive officerfor Golden Rose Communications.[1]Jazz FM originally played a wide variety of jazz, pandering to moresmooth jazzduring the daytime to attract the 25- to 45-year-old target market Jazz FM needed to make the station a success. The station before therebrand,however, played moresouland softerR&Balongside jazz.
In 2003, theGuardian Media Groupdid extensive research into the type of music the listeners in thenorth-westwanted to listen to. They concluded that many people were put off by the name "jazz" in the station name. As a result, 100.4 Jazz FM closed on 13 February 2004 and relaunched as 'Smooth FM' on 1 March 2004.
Smooth FM 100.4 relaunched asSmooth Radio 100.4in March 2007 at the same time as London based 102.2 Smooth FM.
Return to the airwaves
edit
On 28 February 2008, GMG Radio's chief executive John Myers made an announcement that Jazz FM would be brought back in the North West, London and the West Midlands on DAB.[3][4]Myers also said that he believed it would make more sense for there to be a dedicated radio station for jazz listeners than the commitments to play jazz on Smooth Radio 100.4, as required by the licence granted to them by Ofcom.[5]The closure oftheJazzonDigital Onewas also part of the reason for the return of Jazz FM.[6]The relaunch of jazzfm, under a three-year deal withThe Local Radio Companyhappened on 6 October 2008.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abCarter, Meg (4 August 1995)."JFM switches back to Jazz FM".Marketing Week.Retrieved3 January2011.
- ^Hebditch, Stephen (June 1993)."AM/FM #12 — June 1993".TQM Communications.
- ^Plunkett, John (23 April 2008)."Ofcom tells Smooth Radio to keep jazz".The Guardian.Retrieved7 May2008.
- ^West, Dave (23 April 2008)."GMG to press ahead with Jazz FM on DAB".Digital Spy.Retrieved7 May2008.
- ^Andrews, Amanda (28 February 2008)."GMG in talks with Ofcom about Jazz FM return".The Times.London. Archived fromthe originalon 17 May 2008.Retrieved28 February2008.
- ^Chapelard, James (28 February 2008)."GMG jazzes up digital radio".Crain's Manchester Business. Archived fromthe originalon 10 May 2013.Retrieved28 February2008.
- ^"Jazz FM relaunches 6 October".Radio Today. 13 August 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2012.Retrieved13 August2008.