Smooth FM Hits London Airwaves As Jazz Bows Out

London’s Jazz FM will be consigned to the internet and digital airwaves this morning, as GMG Radio officially launches Smooth FM in its place across the capital.

The transition, due to take place at 10am, will mark the final phase in the station’s shift to attract a larger audience share through a wider range of music.

The move, which was made possible by a relaxation of Jazz FM’s remit by Ofcom last year, will see Jazz FM continue as a DAB digital and internet radio station, while it’s FM signals are taken over by Smooth FM (see Jazz FM To Increase Advertiser Appeal With Mixed Playlists).

Explaining the move, John Myers, chief executive of GMG Radio, said: “We believe this station has enormous potential and will soon be among London’s top five commercial stations. As sorry as we are to say goodbye to Jazz FM it’s a sad fact of life that it has never made a profit in its 15 years of existence.”

The move has not been completely painless, however, as Jazz FM parted company with one of its most respected DJs, Paul Gambaccini, in the preparations for Smooth FM’s replacement of the station in March (see Jazz FM Loses Veteran DJs In Transition To Smooth).

Jazz FM has seen its audience decline steadily over recent months, with the station losing 7.3% of its weekly reach year on year in the three months to March. The station’s last recorded weekly reach via FM in London will be 652,000, a figure which GMG will be eager to build on with Smooth FM.

Smooth’s first FM broadcast in London will be hosted by Fame Academy star, Lemar.

Guardian Media Group: 020 7713 4452 www.gmgplc.co.uk