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The Arrow (radio)
Encyclopedia
The Arrow is a British digital
radio station
playing pop and the softer end of rock music
. It broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio (in London). It is also broadcast on TalkTalk TV and streamed online. The station is operated by Global Radio
; prior to Global's formation it was owned by their predecessor Chrysalis Radio.
live). There were also hourly news bulletins and the ability to opt-out for local travel bulletins. The news,
travel and on-air presenters have now been removed, with the station switching to non-stop music.
In May 2008, The Arrow ceased broadcasting on London's DRG digital radio multiplex. A portion of the Arrow's space, along with a smaller slot that was previously used by Bauer Group's Smash Hits! Radio
, was reused to launch Bauer-owned alternative/rock station Q Radio onto the DRG multiplex.
The Arrow was removed from Virgin Media
channel 921 on 21 June 2009 and Sky channel 0161 on 22 June 2009.
In February 2009, The Arrow was removed from the Switch Scotland regional DAB service, and replaced by Gold.
In Yorkshire, the station has been moved from the regional DAB multiplex
to local multiplexes; the move was to make way for Xfm London
, which moved in the other direction.
In February 2010 The Arrow was removed from the MXR Severn Estuary multiplex. Although DAB radios within the reach of that multiplex still display The Arrow as the received station, in fact XFM
now broadcasts on that channel.
In November 2010, The Arrow returned to London on DRG London
replacing Galaxy Digital
, following the decision to combine the Galaxy Network with 95.8 Capital FM (and The Hit Music Network
) to form the new Capital FM Network, a change which came into force from January 2011. The Arrow was chosen to replace Galaxy as it was the only Global Radio station not already available on DAB in London. In the East Midlands, where the Hit Music Network stations became Capital, Galaxy was replaced with Heart London (this was tied in with Gem 106 replacing Heart East Midlands).
In December 2010, Bauer Radio removed Global's oldies music service Gold (which competed with Bauer's own Magic stations) from its local multiplexes in Central Lancashire, Humberside, Leeds, Liverpool, South Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyne and Wear, and replaced it with Absolute Classic Rock after signing a new deal with Absolute Radio for the space. Global retaliated by withdrawing The Arrow from the three Bauer multiplexes it broadcast on - *Bauer Humberside
, Bauer Leeds
and Bauer South Yorkshire
- and from MXR North East
and MXR North West
, replacing it in all these locations with Gold. This allowed coverage of Gold to continue in all these areas, though it created an overlap in Manchester
(where Gold is now available both on CE Manchester
and MXR North West
). The move also resulted in The Arrow's DAB service being available solely in London.
Many of these changes have come about as part of Global rearranging its digital assets following their acquisition of GCap Media
; Global have also made changes to the distribution and availability of other stations in their portfolio, including Galaxy, Heart, Chill
, Xfm
and Gold since the merger.
, LBC
and Galaxy were to be sold for £170 million to Global Radio
from Chrysalis Radio.
Digital radio in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the roll-out of digital radio is proceeding since test transmissions were started by the BBC in 1990. The UK currently has the world's biggest digital radio network, with 103 transmitters, two national DAB ensembles and 48 local and regional DAB ensembles...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
playing pop and the softer end of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. It broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio (in London). It is also broadcast on TalkTalk TV and streamed online. The station is operated by Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
; prior to Global's formation it was owned by their predecessor Chrysalis Radio.
Cuts and reductions
The Arrow was at one point presenter-led, with programmes hosted by DJs (though usually voicetracked rather thanlive). There were also hourly news bulletins and the ability to opt-out for local travel bulletins. The news,
travel and on-air presenters have now been removed, with the station switching to non-stop music.
In May 2008, The Arrow ceased broadcasting on London's DRG digital radio multiplex. A portion of the Arrow's space, along with a smaller slot that was previously used by Bauer Group's Smash Hits! Radio
Smash Hits! Radio
Smash Hits Radio! is a UK based digital radio station owned and operated by Bauer Radio based in Manchester. It is available throughout the UK on Freeview channel 712. The format is loosely based on the now defunct Smash Hits Magazine. It is a Contemporary hit radio format...
, was reused to launch Bauer-owned alternative/rock station Q Radio onto the DRG multiplex.
The Arrow was removed from Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
channel 921 on 21 June 2009 and Sky channel 0161 on 22 June 2009.
In February 2009, The Arrow was removed from the Switch Scotland regional DAB service, and replaced by Gold.
In Yorkshire, the station has been moved from the regional DAB multiplex
MXR Yorkshire
MXR Yorkshire is a regional commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire.-Stations broadcast:-History:...
to local multiplexes; the move was to make way for Xfm London
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
, which moved in the other direction.
In February 2010 The Arrow was removed from the MXR Severn Estuary multiplex. Although DAB radios within the reach of that multiplex still display The Arrow as the received station, in fact XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
now broadcasts on that channel.
In November 2010, The Arrow returned to London on DRG London
DRG London
DRG London is a Digital Audio Broadcasting multiplex available in the London area that has been broadcasting since January 2002. It is also referred to as the Greater London 3 multiplex...
replacing Galaxy Digital
Galaxy Digital
Galaxy Digital was a radio station broadcasting through the digital platform across the United Kingdom and was owned by Global Radio. It primarily broadcast in areas where Galaxy was not represented on FM, such as London, Leicester, Nottingham, and Derbyshire...
, following the decision to combine the Galaxy Network with 95.8 Capital FM (and The Hit Music Network
The Hit Music Network
The Hit Music Network was a collection of five Independent Local Radio stations operating in the United Kingdom and owned by Global Radio. Created in September 2008, the stations were formerly owned by GCap Media prior to its takeover by Global and, with the exception of 95.8 Capital FM, were all...
) to form the new Capital FM Network, a change which came into force from January 2011. The Arrow was chosen to replace Galaxy as it was the only Global Radio station not already available on DAB in London. In the East Midlands, where the Hit Music Network stations became Capital, Galaxy was replaced with Heart London (this was tied in with Gem 106 replacing Heart East Midlands).
In December 2010, Bauer Radio removed Global's oldies music service Gold (which competed with Bauer's own Magic stations) from its local multiplexes in Central Lancashire, Humberside, Leeds, Liverpool, South Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyne and Wear, and replaced it with Absolute Classic Rock after signing a new deal with Absolute Radio for the space. Global retaliated by withdrawing The Arrow from the three Bauer multiplexes it broadcast on - *Bauer Humberside
Bauer Humberside
Bauer Humberside is a local commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves the Humberside area.-History:Originally, the High Hunsley transmitter was going to be used instead of when the licence was in December 2000...
, Bauer Leeds
Bauer Leeds
Bauer Leeds is a local commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves City of Leeds in West Yorkshire.EMAP were the only for the licence when the multiplex was offered in October 1999 and awarded on 6 April 2000....
and Bauer South Yorkshire
Bauer South Yorkshire
Bauer South Yorkshire is a local commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves South Yorkshire, north Derbyshire and north Nottinghamshire.-History:...
- and from MXR North East
MXR North East
MXR North East is a regional commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves the North East.-Transmitters:MXR North East is transmitted on frequency block 12C from the transmitter sites: -Stations broadcast:- Previous services :...
and MXR North West
MXR North West
MXR North West is a regional commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves the North West of England.- Transmitter sites :MXR North West currently broadcasts from the following sites:-Stations carried:...
, replacing it in all these locations with Gold. This allowed coverage of Gold to continue in all these areas, though it created an overlap in 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...
(where Gold is now available both on CE Manchester
CE Manchester
CE Manchester is a DAB digital radio broadcast multiplex serving the city of Manchester in the north-west of England. It is operated by CE Digital, the DAB multiplex operator jointly owned by Global Radio and Bauer Radio which also operates CE London and CE Birmingham. The DAB services operated...
and MXR North West
MXR North West
MXR North West is a regional commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves the North West of England.- Transmitter sites :MXR North West currently broadcasts from the following sites:-Stations carried:...
). The move also resulted in The Arrow's DAB service being available solely in London.
Many of these changes have come about as part of Global rearranging its digital assets following their acquisition 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...
; Global have also made changes to the distribution and availability of other stations in their portfolio, including Galaxy, Heart, Chill
Chill (radio station)
Chill is a British digital radio station dedicated to chill out, ambient and trip-hop music.-The station:Chill is broadcast on DAB in London and Birmingham, across the UK on Sky channel 0177 and also online. The station's aim is to help listeners relax. It is owned by Global Radio...
, Xfm
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
and Gold since the merger.
Ownership
On the 25 June 2007 it was announced that The Arrow along with its sister stations HeartHeart Digital
Heart Digital was a digital radio network of stations that broadcast on DAB Digital Radio in the North East of England , the North West of England , Yorkshire , South Wales and the West of England and in Central Scotland , as part of the Heart Network...
, LBC
LBC
LBC Radio operates two London-based radio stations, with news and talk formats. LBC was Britain's first legal commercial Independent Local Radio station, providing a service of news and information to London. It began broadcasting on 8 October 1973, a week ahead of Capital Radio...
and Galaxy were to be sold for £170 million to Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
from Chrysalis Radio.