CRCA Welcomes New Network Chart Show
The Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) has confirmed that a new Network Chart Show will replace the widely syndicated Pepsi Chart from next January.
The new Chart Show, which will continue to be produced by UBC, is to be broadcast by a large consortium of commercial radio stations, including those owned by Capital, GWR, Chrysalis Radio and Scottish Radio Holdings. The consortium will face fresh competition from Emap, which is ditching the Network Chart Show in favour of its own Smash Hits Chart Show.
The rival Smash Hits chart is set to broadcast across Emap Performance’s Kiss stations and its Big City network in the North, as well as on Smash Hits TV. The weekly chart will also be featured in Emap’s new teen-celebrity title Sneak. Emap is planning to syndicate the show to other stations (see Emap Launches Multi-Media Chart Show).
GWR, which will continue to broadcast the Network Chart in its Sunday evening slot, has also launched its own daily chart show (see GWR Joins Race To Replace Pepsi Chart Show).
Paul Brown, chief executive of CRCA, commented: “Times are changing and CRCA serves an increasingly competitive industry. We’ve done an excellent job in nourishing and developing a product for 18 years which has made commercial radio the nation’s favourite at the most important appointment to listen in UK music radio. I am confident that with the launch of new commercial radio charts, lively new competitive programme ideas and new opportunities for advertisers will increase audience and revenues.”
The decision follows the loss of big-brand sponsor Pepsi, which was affiliated with The Network Chart Show for 9 years. A new sponsor has not been announced, but industry speculation has focused on mobile phone brand, 02.
CRCA: 020 7306 2603 www.crca.co.uk
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