Global Radio Set To Get Rid Of Local Station Names In National Rebrand

Global Radio is set to axe the names of 29 local radio stations and rebrand them into a national network, following its takeover of GCap Media in April (see Global Radio To Acquire GCap For £375m).

Global plans to create a new national network of 32 Heart stations as it reportedly attempts to take on the BBC.

The newly rebranded stations will keep their own breakfast and drivetime shows but most of the content will be syndicated across the entire network.

Only seven of the 42 stations in GCap’s One Network, which has been acquired by Global in the merger, will retain their local identity.

Regional stations that will not be affected by Global’s plans include London’s Capital 95.8, Trent FM in Nottingham and Leicester Sound.

Power FM in Hampshire and Choice FM in London are set to become part of Global’s Galaxy dance network, though Choice will keep its own brand.

The rebrand, which is said to be the biggest in commercial radio history, will take place over the next 12 to 18 months.

Global intends to have seven leading national brands to sell to advertisers, including Heart, Galaxy, Classic FM, Xfm, Gold and LBC.

The UK’s biggest commercial radio owner is expected to spend around £10 million on investment into programming and marketing over the next two years to launch the new networks.

Global Radio: www.thisisglobal.com/radio