GCap Launches UK’s First National Jazz Station On DAB
GCap Media will launch the UK’s first national jazz station on DAB digital radio towards the end of the year, providing a sister service to its successful Classic FM station.
The new station, which will target the 35+ ABC1 demographic, will play a broad range of styles from across the genre’s spectrum.
GCap says that its reasoning behind the creation of the new station was after commissioning market research and receiving feedback from listeners, which pointed to a strong demand for the format. The company believes that such a service is best delivered on a national platform where the station can generate significant audience.
Classic FM and its new sister station will share similar target audiences, creating cross-promotion and endorsement opportunities for both, as well as the potential for the jazz station to branch out in to other media platforms as its sister station has.
The stations will also work in conjunction with each other to further GCap Media’s strategy of targeting listeners to BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4.
Duncan George, commercial director for GCap Media, said: “This is something we’re extremely excited about. Jazz is a tremendously popular genre and is clearly under served. Not only does a national jazz station have huge potential, both creatively and financially; it is a great addition to our portfolio.
“GCap handles specialist music with skill and passion and we know that the new station is long overdue – jazz will at last have a dedicated home on British airwaves.”