Mike Powell (UK radio entrepreneur)
Encyclopedia
Mike Powell is a former British
newspaper
and radio
journalist
who hosted shows on several UK music radio
stations before transitioning to station management.
After working in provincial newspapers in the Westcountry, Powell joined DevonAir
Radio (Exeter and Torbay) at its launch in 1980 as a senior journalist, then Head of News and Current Affairs. He later jointly hosted the breakfast show.
Powell moved to Guildford
, Surrey
in 1983 as launch News Editor of County Sound Radio. He was promoted to Program Director from 1984 to 1986 and then CEO from 1986 to 1991 - growing the group to eight radio stations. His innovations at County Sound included being the first UK radio station to use RCS (Radio Computing Services
) Selector music-scheduling software 24 hours a day and introducing the UK's first gold format radio station (County Sound Gold). Powell designed the programming for award-winning station, Fox FM
- a joint venture with Capital Radio
(London).
After taking County Sound to a UK stock market
listing, he departed to form radio investment, research and management company, Infinity Radio, which set up Pirate FM
(Cornwall) with Powell as launch CEO. Pirate FM was featured on the BBC technology programme, Tomorrow's World, for its pioneering use of computerised music playout.
Shortly after the launch of Pirate FM, Infinity Radio merged with UKRD Group
where Powell became CEO - eventually building the group to over 20 radio stations and associated companies.
While running UKRD, Powell played a key role in launching Manchester
's Kiss 102
and served as launch CEO of Berkshire
's Star FM, which was joint launch customer in the UK for the computerised RCS
Master Control
studio automation system. In 1995, he launched the new County Sound Radio Network consisting of County Sound Radio, 96.4 The Eagle
and Delta Radio.
In 2001 Powell became Chairman of Infinity Media which then separated from UKRD to concentrate on digital platform technologies.
In October 2002, he joined RCS as Vice President of its International division, based at its World Headquarters in White Plains
, New York
.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who hosted shows on several UK music radio
Music radio
Music radio is a radio format in which music is the main broadcast content. After television replaced old time radio's dramatic content, music formats became dominant in many countries...
stations before transitioning to station management.
After working in provincial newspapers in the Westcountry, Powell joined DevonAir
DevonAir
DevonAir Radio was the independent local radio station serving East Devon, Exeter and Torbay.-History:On 27th March 1978, the Independent Broadcasting Authority invited applicants for the Exeter/Torbay local radio licenece...
Radio (Exeter and Torbay) at its launch in 1980 as a senior journalist, then Head of News and Current Affairs. He later jointly hosted the breakfast show.
Powell moved to Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in 1983 as launch News Editor of County Sound Radio. He was promoted to Program Director from 1984 to 1986 and then CEO from 1986 to 1991 - growing the group to eight radio stations. His innovations at County Sound included being the first UK radio station to use RCS (Radio Computing Services
Radio Computing Services
Radio Computing Services, also known as RCS Inc., is a provider of scheduling and broadcast software for radio, Internet and television stations. The company was established in 1979 by Dr. Andrew Economos. On January 26, 2006, Clear Channel Communications purchased RCS as a subsidiary...
) Selector music-scheduling software 24 hours a day and introducing the UK's first gold format radio station (County Sound Gold). Powell designed the programming for award-winning station, Fox FM
Fox FM
Fox FM may refer to:*Fox FM , a radio station in Melbourne, Australia*Heart Thames Valley, a radio station in the United Kingdom formerly known as Fox FM*Port FM, a radio station in New Zealand...
- a joint venture with Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
(London).
After taking County Sound to a UK stock market
Stock market
A stock market or equity market is a public entity for the trading of company stock and derivatives at an agreed price; these are securities listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately.The size of the world stock market was estimated at about $36.6 trillion...
listing, he departed to form radio investment, research and management company, Infinity Radio, which set up Pirate FM
Pirate FM
Pirate FM is one of the Independent Local Radio stations for Cornwall, playing a range of music from the 1960's to the present day.-Background:...
(Cornwall) with Powell as launch CEO. Pirate FM was featured on the BBC technology programme, Tomorrow's World, for its pioneering use of computerised music playout.
Shortly after the launch of Pirate FM, Infinity Radio merged with UKRD Group
UKRD Group
The UKRD Group Ltd is a British media company which owns 16 commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The name originates from UK Radio Developments.-History:...
where Powell became CEO - eventually building the group to over 20 radio stations and associated companies.
While running UKRD, Powell played a key role in launching Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
's Kiss 102
Kiss 102
-History:The frequency was originally issued to Sunset 102 Radio - The Kickin FM but that suffered some financial problems. In May 1993, the Radio Authority made a decision to prematurely terminate Sunset's licence, apparently accusing the station of providing inaccurate information about its...
and served as launch CEO of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
's Star FM, which was joint launch customer in the UK for the computerised RCS
RCS
RCS may refer to:Clubs and societies*Racing Club de Strasbourg*Radcliffe Choral Society*Royal College of Science*Royal College of Surgeons*Royal Commonwealth SocietyTechnology*Radar cross-section*Radio Computing Services*Reaction control system...
Master Control
Master control
Master control is the technical hub of a broadcast operation common among most over-the-air television stations and television networks. It is distinct from a production control room in television studios where the activities such as switching from camera to camera are coordinated...
studio automation system. In 1995, he launched the new County Sound Radio Network consisting of County Sound Radio, 96.4 The Eagle
96.4 The Eagle
96.4 Eagle Radio is an Independent Local Radio station in the Surrey and North Hampshire area of England owned by the UKRD Group. The radio station, based in Guildford, Surrey, was the brainchild of Mike Powell, previously the Managing Director of Surrey and Hampshire's County Sound Radio.Peter...
and Delta Radio.
In 2001 Powell became Chairman of Infinity Media which then separated from UKRD to concentrate on digital platform technologies.
In October 2002, he joined RCS as Vice President of its International division, based at its World Headquarters in White Plains
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.