Heart 106 to become a local Gem
A CITY-based radio station will be rebranded in the new year and become "more local", according to its owners.
Heart 106, which broadcasts across the East Midlands from studios at Citylink, will become Gem 106 from January 1.
Former BBC Radio Nottingham presenter David Lloyd, now programme and marketing director of Orion Media, which owns the station, said: "Given the imminent changes to the East Midlands radio landscape, with the other major commercial stations broadcasting increasing amounts of programming from London rather than from the East Midlands, we felt there was an appetite for a station which originated much more local programming."
The Heart 106 brand will continue to be used around the UK but not in the East Midlands.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Mr Lloyd said: "The present station name is used successfully by a host of stations around the country and we used it by permission. Moving to a new one simply gives us much more freedom over what we broadcast."
Breakfast show presenters Sam and Amy will remain in their present slot when the new station launches.
In September it was announced Trent FM, Leicester Sound and RAM FM in Derby would merge as Capital FM East Midlands.
Comments
by Vicki Reek, Derbyshire
Friday, January 07 2011, 8:15PM
“Much preferred the old format, although pleased to be rid of the shows broadcast nationally, Jason Donovan must be the worst DJ ever! Why did it need a rebrand though, surely it could have continued as heart but with local programmes continuing in place of the national ones.
Something is lacking with GEM, re using a radio station name we have already had hasn't helped and even Sam and Amy seem to be suddenly lacklustre, have they lost 'heart'. It is such a shame as I have enjoyed Heart and was so pleased it came to the East MIdlands after originally hearing it when on holiday in other regions. The only way to make 'GEM' sparkle is to give us our 'Heart' back.”
by Len, Staffordshire
Tuesday, November 16 2010, 11:44AM
“This SMALL story is extremely BIG news in the British radio industry as the Midlands area radio stations owned by Orion (BRMB, Beacon, Mercia, Wyvern) are all increasing the amount of LOCALLY originated content.
In contrast, the stations operated throughout Britain by Smooth Radio and Capital (the name completely replacing the Trent name in January) are all doing more syndicated programming from outside the regions, much of it pre-recorded. For example Smooth Radio will not even have a locally originated breakfast show.
Orion Radios David Lloyd (who is quoted in the story) has since 1979 worked on East Midlands local radio in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln, both commercial and BBC, as well as running major stations in other big British cities including London. By bringing back more locally originated radio his stations will make the syndicated ones sound even less local. At last people in the area will have some truly local daytime commercial radio not just aimed at under 35 year old listeners.
I think it was very clever of David Lloyd to revive the 'Gem' name (which I coined in 1988 to stand for Great East Midlands) as at one stage GEM-AM had 20-24 percent weekly audience reach in the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire area.
Once again there will be real competition in the East Midlands market and that is a GOOD thing!
Len Groat (Leonard Griffin) Head of Programmes and Music - Trent FM and GEM-AM 1980-1994”
by Dave, Leicester
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 11:37PM
“"Smooth 106, which broadcasts across the East Midlands from studios at Citylink, will become Gem 106 from January 1."
Of course you mean Heart not Smooth? Smooth has already gone to Manchester and London.”