Smooth FM Format Change Gets Ofcom Go-Ahead

Ofcom has agreed to a format change for Smooth FM, after the station applied to the communications regulator to alter the format of the station from jazz and soul to an easy-listening station aimed at the over-50s in October (see Smooth FM Applies For Format Change).

The revamped Smooth will replace its soul-based daytime music policy with easy listening, more news and speech targeted at over-50s, but in London it will retain 45 hours of specialist jazz programming per week in the evenings.

Ofcom concluded that the proposed change to Smooth would not narrow the range of programmes available to listeners in the London area.

“Capital Gold’s Format is for 35-54s; Heart FM targets audiences in their 30s. Magic FM serves the over-35s (having moved slightly younger when Emap turned Melody into Magic),” the regulator said in its ruling.

“There is no station specifically for over-50s. In addition the station would have a higher proportion of speech and continue to carry its unique specialist jazz output.”

John Myers, chief executive of Smooth owners Guardian Media Group Radio, said: “This now allows us to take on Radio 2 with all the right tools at our disposal. Ofcom made the right decision for the future growth of commercial radio.”

The station was launched in 1990 as Jazz FM and was permitted a format change in 2003, reducing the daytime requirement for jazz but with more off-peak specialist jazz programming. It was re-launched 102.2 Smooth FM last year (see Smooth FM Hits London Airwaves As Jazz Bows Out).

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