CN Group - New owner? - Radio

Harris Tweed · 17-06-2009, 16:10

Only going on a text from a mate and a brief email elsewhere... but I'm hearing Steve Orchard has bought it (not sure whether with his own money or the bank manager's!).

So - any confirmation.. and whaddya reckon?

dpb · 17-06-2009, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harris Tweed

Only going on a text from a mate and a brief email elsewhere... but I'm hearing Steve Orchard has bought it (not sure whether with his own money or the bank manager's!).

So - any confirmation.. and whaddya reckon?

I would be surprised if they sold The Bay and Lakeland with them being in their Cumbria heartland but the sale of the Midlands stations wouldn't although I thought Mike Owen and his consortium could take them after missing out on BRMB, Heart 106 et al.

Phillip Swift · 17-06-2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpb

I would be surprised if they sold The Bay and Lakeland with them being in their Cumbria heartland but the sale of the Midlands stations wouldn't although I thought Mike Owen and his consortium could take them after missing out on BRMB, Heart 106 et al.

Would they be that interested though? If you've got the money to go for BRMB and Heart you can probably find a lot better things than the CN group to spend your money on. That's like trying to buy Man Utd but buying Bradford City instead.

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillip Swift

Would they be that interested though? If you've got the money to go for BRMB and Heart you can probably find a lot better things than the CN group to spend your money on. That's like trying to buy Man Utd but buying Bradford City instead.

They said they were looking at other propositions in the midlands, the CN stations are they biggest one outside Global I'd have thought.

The Critic · 17-06-2009, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMDJ

They said they were looking at other propositions in the midlands, the CN stations are they biggest one outside Global I'd have thought.

If Steve has brought the whole group, I wouldn't be suprised if he keeps the worthwhile licences (Belfast + Lancaster) and handed the rest back to OFCOM.

Either that, or run them as is until he can drop the 4 hours of local.

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Critic

If Steve has brought the whole group, I wouldn't be suprised if he keeps the worthwhile licences (Belfast + Lancaster) and handed the rest back to OFCOM.

Either that, or run them as is until he can get 4 hours a day local.

The midlands stations (excluding Tamworth) are already 4 hours a day local and have been for about a year now.

Stratford and Warwick should both do OK, Stratford has no commercial rivals.

If 96.2 is rebranded as Coventry FM and people are made aware it's their local radio station, I genuine believe that could do well as well.

dpb · 17-06-2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillip Swift

Would they be that interested though? If you've got the money to go for BRMB and Heart you can probably find a lot better things than the CN group to spend your money on. That's like trying to buy Man Utd but buying Bradford City instead.

You are probably right although I would bet there have been people wanting to own a football club in the past and have tabled offers for big clubs, had them turned down and had to settle for a smaller club, they just want to own a football club and be a part of it. I'm sure there are people who want 'in' to radio especially someone who has spent so long working in the West Midlands media scene.

Anyway, my thoughts were based on Mike Owen's quote of a few weeks ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4763

Mike told RadioToday.co.uk he has identified a number of potential acquisition and development opportunities in the region and shall be pursuing these in the near future: "While we are hugely disappointed at not being able to acquire the stations, we see this as the beginning and not the end. We would wholeheartedly support all efforts on the part of the new company to strengthen the role of commercial radio in the Midlands and we, fully , intend to be a part of that exciting process."

The Critic · 17-06-2009, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMDJ

The midlands stations (excluding Tamworth) are already 4 hours a day local and have been for about a year now.

Stratford and Warwick should both do OK, Stratford has no commercial rivals.

That's what I meant - sorry. Original post now edited.

wavejockglw · 17-06-2009, 16:59

The way things are going a fairly modest credit limit on a Visa card could buy a local radio station!!

James Martin 2 · 17-06-2009, 17:00

Great news if it's true. But some siginificant changes need to be made in progamming.

The Critic · 17-06-2009, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavejockglw

The way things are going a fairly modest credit limit on a Visa card could buy a local radio station!!

Even I'VE got £1 spare on mine.

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Martin 2

Great news if it's true. But some siginificant changes need to be made in progamming.

How about James Martin's Bigger Breakfast Show?

James Martin 2 · 17-06-2009, 17:05

Hey, why not? But I'm thinking more about the "let's change the music policy every 2 minutes" way of thinking!

At the end of the day I did the job when I was at Rugby FM, it's just unfortunate that when it was taken over my face didn't fit with the new owners.

Although in all fairness, Jason Moss is excellent on Rugby breakfast so I wouldn't want to unseat him!

Bingethink · 17-06-2009, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMDJ

Stratford and Warwick should both do OK, Stratford has no commercial rivals.

You can't hear Heart, Mercia, Smooth, Gold, or a couple of dozen DAB services in Stratford??

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingethink

You can't hear Heart, Mercia, Smooth, Gold, or a couple of dozen DAB services in Stratford??

You can (not great though), but Touch is the commercial station of choice people in Stratford, it's the only real listenable station in the Vale of Evesham though.

James Martin 2 · 17-06-2009, 17:21

Anyone's thoughts on what might happen? I doubt that we'll see the networking relent, but as Touch is very much a part of l'aincen regime it bodes well to get The Bear and Centre FM back. All that then needs to be done is find new names for Coventry and Warwick and instantly it'll be an improvement!

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 17:25

Coventry FM!

James Martin 2 · 17-06-2009, 18:28

Hmm... doesn't roll off the tongue does it?

Godiva Sound maybe?

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Martin 2

Hmm... doesn't roll off the tongue does it?

Godiva Sound maybe?

Coventry FM does what it says on the tin though.

James Martin 2 · 17-06-2009, 18:32

I hope they don't go the other way and kill off Rugby FM.

Credit where it's due - CN never managed to kill it off, and for that they must be praised.

jezcarter · 17-06-2009, 19:10

Don't know much about CN group. Are they all sallie licences?

Les Wires · 17-06-2009, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMDJ

You can (not great though), but Touch is the commercial station of choice people in Stratford, it's the only real listenable station in the Vale of Evesham though.

Wyvern is also quite strong in the Vale and a definite 'choice'

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wires

Wyvern is also quite strong in the Vale and a definite 'choice'

From my experience Wyvern's signal aint great in 'The Sham', Touch certainly out performs it.

Les Wires · 17-06-2009, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMDJ

From my experience Wyvern's signal aint great in 'The Sham', Touch certainly out performs it.

It actually depends where you are in the Vale, some areas Wyvern is stronger others Touch is stronger, in most both can be received.

FMDJ · 17-06-2009, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wires

It actually depends where you are in the Vale, some areas Wyvern is stronger others Touch is stronger, in most both can be received.

I'll take your word for it then.

I would say Touch is the only commercial station I hear in the shops, restaurants etc of Evesham and Stratford.

17-06-2009, 16:10	#1
Harris Tweed Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 601	CN Group - New owner? Only going on a text from a mate and a brief email elsewhere... but I'm hearing Steve Orchard has bought it (not sure whether with his own money or the bank manager's!). So - any confirmation.. and whaddya reckon?

17-06-2009, 16:59	#9
wavejockglw Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow/Scotland Services: TalkTalk Broadband, Sky HD, Freeview, DAB, Vodafone Posts: 4,656	The way things are going a fairly modest credit limit on a Visa card could buy a local radio station!!

17-06-2009, 17:00	#10
James Martin 2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Great news if it's true. But some siginificant changes need to be made in progamming.

17-06-2009, 17:05	#13
James Martin 2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Hey, why not? But I'm thinking more about the "let's change the music policy every 2 minutes" way of thinking! At the end of the day I did the job when I was at Rugby FM, it's just unfortunate that when it was taken over my face didn't fit with the new owners. Although in all fairness, Jason Moss is excellent on Rugby breakfast so I wouldn't want to unseat him!

17-06-2009, 17:21	#16
James Martin 2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Anyone's thoughts on what might happen? I doubt that we'll see the networking relent, but as Touch is very much a part of l'aincen regime it bodes well to get The Bear and Centre FM back. All that then needs to be done is find new names for Coventry and Warwick and instantly it'll be an improvement!

17-06-2009, 17:25	#17
FMDJ Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 837	Coventry FM!

17-06-2009, 18:28	#18
James Martin 2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Hmm... doesn't roll off the tongue does it? Godiva Sound maybe?

17-06-2009, 18:32	#20
James Martin 2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	I hope they don't go the other way and kill off Rugby FM. Credit where it's due - CN never managed to kill it off, and for that they must be praised.

17-06-2009, 19:10	#21
jezcarter Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 146	Don't know much about CN group. Are they all sallie licences?