Emap Extends Smash Hits Brand To Channel 4

Emap is expanding its Smash Hits brand on terrestrial television with the launch of its Smash Hits Chart Show on Channel 4.

The weekly 30-minute show will be shown on C4 on Saturdays at 12.30pm from September 13th, as part of the cult-status T4 strand. Channel 4 has poached the show from Channel 5 and commissioned an initial run of 24 programmes.

The Smash Hits Chart Show started in January 2003 as the UK’s first interactive terrestrial chart programme. The special chart blends singles’ sales figures with national radio airplay data and requests to Emap’s two TV pop channels, Smash Hits and The Box, as well as taking into account votes from Channel 4 viewers.

The terrestrial TV offering is an extension of the Smash Hits Chart radio show which broadcasts on Sundays on 40 analogue radio stations including Emap’s Kiss and Big City stations.

Commenting on the initiative, Tim Schoonmaker, chief executive of Emap Performance, said: “With great new releases expected before Christmas from the likes of Busted, The Sugababes, Kylie and Pink, pop is really fizzing and the Smash Hits Chart is where it’s going to be happening.”

Emap recently expanded its digital radio portfolio with the launch of Mojo as its seventh national service on the Freeview platform (see Emap Rolls Out Mojo Radio On Freeview Platform).

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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