Century FM
Encyclopedia
Century Radio was the brand name of a group of independent local radio
stations in England
. The brand was developed with the launch of 100-102 Century Radio in North East England in 1994, with John Myers as managing director and John Simons
as programme director. The brand grew when Myers launched 106 Century FM for the East Midlands
, and further when 105.4 Century Radio was launched in North West England in 1998. Ocean FM used the Century format, but not the brand.
The group was initially owned by Border Radio Holdings
until 2000, when Capital Radio Group took over the brand. When the larger GCap Media
acquired the group in 2005, they were forced to sell the Nottingham
-based "106" station to Chrysalis Group
for competition reasons. GMG Radio
, with Myers and Simons as senior executives, bought the stations in 2006. They were rebranded Real Radio
to conform to the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio network that Myers had developed since in 2000.
The stations were very successful using their 'radio you just have to sing along to' format, but recent RAJAR
figures have shown a decline in market reach and market share.
The head offices were based at Salford Quays
, along with the studios of Century's north west station, 105.4 Century Radio. In addition, the building also accommodates GMG Radio
's sales division, and has completed building work to fit in sister station Smooth Radio and newly launched Rock Radio
.
of Border Radio Holdings, a subsidiary of Border Television
. The brand was later expanded to two further stations in North West England and the East Midlands.
In 2000, ownership of the stations was transferred to Capital Radio Group, when Capital Radio Group bought Border Television. The buy-out was largely seen as Capital attempting to gain control of Century and its three regional licences, especially when Border Television itself was rapidly sold on to Granada Media Group
.
Under the ownership of Capital the stations were subtly rebranded from Century Radio to Century FM. There was also a transfer away from the sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties music format, which clashed with Capital's Capital Gold
brand to a more modern music format. The south-coast based Ocean FM also took the "Century Format" but did not take the Century brand name.
With the merger of Capital and GWR in 2005, the Century brand became part of GCap Media
, however, the terms of the merger forced the sale of 106 Century FM to Chrysalis Group
. Under the ownership of Chrysalis Group, 106 Century FM relaunched as Heart 106
at Midnight on Friday 26 August 2005. Later in 2005, Ocean FM also began to move away from the Century format dropping Century branding, straplines, and networked programming for a more individual approach.
Finally, on 18 October 2006, it was announced that the two remaining Century stations had been sold to GMG Radio
. Perhaps ironically, GMG Radio is run by Myers and Simons who created the original Century brand in 1994.
Century Digital was replaced by Real Radio on DAB, a GMG Radio
brand, in London on 23 March 2007, leaving Birmingham as the only area with Century Digital available, it finally closed a few days later. In 2008, Century FM changed its name to Century Radio and adopted a new logo, matching that of sister station Real Radio
. On 30 March 2009, after over 14 years of using the Century name, Century Radio was re-named Real Radio to fit in with the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio network.
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
stations in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The brand was developed with the launch of 100-102 Century Radio in North East England in 1994, with John Myers as managing director and John Simons
John Simons
John Simons is a British radio executive, the current group programming director for GMG Radio.Simons began his career in 1979, before fronting the Breakfast Show on Radio Tees from 1983 to 1985 , and moving to BBC Radio Nottingham.In 1994 he was invited to be part of the team who launched Century...
as programme director. The brand grew when Myers launched 106 Century FM for the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
, and further when 105.4 Century Radio was launched in North West England in 1998. Ocean FM used the Century format, but not the brand.
The group was initially owned by Border Radio Holdings
Border Television
Border Television is the ITV franchise holder for the Border region, spanning the England/Scotland border and covering Dumfries & Galloway region, a small part of the south-west area of Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, parts of north and west Northumberland and the majority of Cumbria...
until 2000, when Capital Radio Group took over the brand. When the larger GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
acquired the group in 2005, they were forced to sell the Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
-based "106" station to Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group is a UK media company. It was founded by Chris Wright, who remains chairman and was listed the 1,000th richest person in the UK in The Times Rich List 2009...
for competition reasons. GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
, with Myers and Simons as senior executives, bought the stations in 2006. They were rebranded Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
to conform to the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio network that Myers had developed since in 2000.
The stations were very successful using their 'radio you just have to sing along to' format, but recent RAJAR
RAJAR
RAJAR was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry in the United Kingdom. RAJAR is jointly owned by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the RadioCentre...
figures have shown a decline in market reach and market share.
The head offices were based at Salford Quays
Salford Quays
Salford Quays is an area of Salford in Greater Manchester, England, near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. Previously the site of Manchester Docks, it became one of the first and largest urban regeneration projects in the United Kingdom following the closure of the dockyards in...
, along with the studios of Century's north west station, 105.4 Century Radio. In addition, the building also accommodates GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
's sales division, and has completed building work to fit in sister station Smooth Radio and newly launched Rock Radio
Rock Radio
Rock Radio is a brand of radio stations in the United Kingdom owned by GMG Radio.96.3 Rock Radio was the first station in the network. It operates in West Central Scotland...
.
History
It was established by John Myers and John SimonsJohn Simons
John Simons is a British radio executive, the current group programming director for GMG Radio.Simons began his career in 1979, before fronting the Breakfast Show on Radio Tees from 1983 to 1985 , and moving to BBC Radio Nottingham.In 1994 he was invited to be part of the team who launched Century...
of Border Radio Holdings, a subsidiary of Border Television
Border Television
Border Television is the ITV franchise holder for the Border region, spanning the England/Scotland border and covering Dumfries & Galloway region, a small part of the south-west area of Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, parts of north and west Northumberland and the majority of Cumbria...
. The brand was later expanded to two further stations in North West England and the East Midlands.
In 2000, ownership of the stations was transferred to Capital Radio Group, when Capital Radio Group bought Border Television. The buy-out was largely seen as Capital attempting to gain control of Century and its three regional licences, especially when Border Television itself was rapidly sold on to Granada Media Group
Granada Ltd.
Granada plc is a former British conglomerate which was best known as the former parent of the Manchester-based Granada Television....
.
Under the ownership of Capital the stations were subtly rebranded from Century Radio to Century FM. There was also a transfer away from the sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties music format, which clashed with Capital's Capital Gold
Capital Gold
Gold is a network of oldies radio stations which was formed by the merger of the Capital Gold network and the Classic Gold Network in August 2007...
brand to a more modern music format. The south-coast based Ocean FM also took the "Century Format" but did not take the Century brand name.
With the merger of Capital and GWR in 2005, the Century brand became part of GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
, however, the terms of the merger forced the sale of 106 Century FM to Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group is a UK media company. It was founded by Chris Wright, who remains chairman and was listed the 1,000th richest person in the UK in The Times Rich List 2009...
. Under the ownership of Chrysalis Group, 106 Century FM relaunched as Heart 106
Heart 106
Gem 106, previously known as Heart East Midlands, is a regional radio station broadcasting to the East Midlands, owned and operated by Orion Media.-History:...
at Midnight on Friday 26 August 2005. Later in 2005, Ocean FM also began to move away from the Century format dropping Century branding, straplines, and networked programming for a more individual approach.
Finally, on 18 October 2006, it was announced that the two remaining Century stations had been sold to GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
. Perhaps ironically, GMG Radio is run by Myers and Simons who created the original Century brand in 1994.
Century Digital was replaced by Real Radio on DAB, a GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
brand, in London on 23 March 2007, leaving Birmingham as the only area with Century Digital available, it finally closed a few days later. In 2008, Century FM changed its name to Century Radio and adopted a new logo, matching that of sister station Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
. On 30 March 2009, after over 14 years of using the Century name, Century Radio was re-named Real Radio to fit in with the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio network.
Century branded stations
- 100-102 Century Radio (North East England)
- 105.4 Century Radio (North West England)
- 106 Century FM (East Midlands)