The Jazz and Planet Rock to close (merged) - Radio

darnall42 · 11-02-2008, 07:26

just heard the sad on bbc breakfast news news that planet rock is going to close!

anybody got any news?
http://corporate.gcapmedia.com/index...=15&entryId=94 looks like the end for the jazz also

Spot · 11-02-2008, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by darnall42

just heard the sad on bbc breakfast news news that planet rock is going to close!

anybody got any news?

For those who haven't seen the other thread, here is the text of the full announcement to the Stock Exchange
http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article...211070000P9AF4

tghe-retford · 11-02-2008, 07:29

It'll close by March 31st, according to that release above.

darkknight77 · 11-02-2008, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by tghe-retford

It'll close by March 31st, according to that release above.

They're getting rid of XFM wales already?!

jam2000 · 11-02-2008, 08:16

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...ommercialradio

richie wild · 11-02-2008, 08:34

oh dear! is DAB doomed? what, if anything, will replace these two reasons for people to buy a dab radio?

ProDave · 11-02-2008, 08:38

Very sad indeed. Planet Rock was my favourite radio station.

I guess it failed for one of the main reasons i liked it so much, that it played the sort of music I like, but with very very few adverts.

Don't forget this is not just a loss from DAB. I used to listen to it via satellite.

pierre_gustave · 11-02-2008, 08:43

The Jazz was very good
I thought it may have been a success but it I suppose it was never going to find a mass audience.
Shame.

lbc417 · 11-02-2008, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie wild

oh dear! is DAB doomed? what, if anything, will replace these two reasons for people to buy a dab radio?

DAB is a victim, IMHO, of quantity over quality, and with these 2 stations going perhaps the quality of the others will now improve, which in turn may encourage more DAB take up at a quicker pace.

There are arguements that this isn't the reason why DAB has been slow, etc, but people are used to hearing crystal clear FM stereo, and quality via Sky/Astra, so surely people aren't neccessarily going to go backwards (regarding DAB quality), when FM, etc currently appears better. So in concluding, it makes sense to improve the other existing stations which are popular, rather than fill the space with new stations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDave

I guess it failed for one of the main reasons i liked it so much, that it played the sort of music I like, but with very very few adverts.

Stations which broadcast via any platform (i.e. Sky, Internet, DAB, FM, etc) are always going to struggle unless they bring in the advertising revenue - the life blood of commercial radio.

richie wild · 11-02-2008, 09:13

perhaps they should move Gold onto D1 (in stereo), and remove it from all the local muxes - would that save them any money?

Inkblot · 11-02-2008, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDave

Very sad indeed. Planet Rock was my favourite radio station.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierre_gustave

The Jazz was very good

If commercial radio in the UK was a film, it would be No Country For Old Men. They don't want us* as listeners.

*Well, I'm an old man anyway. No slur intended on other posters.

Grumman · 11-02-2008, 09:33

I don't think you'll see any other GCap stations/services going onto DAB. They are selling their DAB interests to Arquiva for a nominal sum (£1?). Also, the XFM licences will be handed back to Ofcom if not sold by the end of March, XFM London being the exception, of course.

Seems strange that only a year ago Ralph Bernard was quoting "Planet Rock is a brand of the future"

This just proves to me what a total cock-up the merger between Capital and GWR really was and is a great reason why consolidation in the industry will kill radio in the UK.

11-02-2008, 09:42

I thought Planet Rock was doing well. Well that's a shame, but Digital One and GCap seem to be doing pretty poorly at the moment. Give it to a provider who can do something decent to DAB.

mfr · 11-02-2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbc417

So in concluding, it makes sense to improve the other existing stations which are popular, rather than fill the space with new stations.

It is already very expensive to broadcast on national DAB. Increasing bitrates will only add to a station's costs, and I don't think there's much evidence to suggest listeners turn to DAB for quality over choice.

It therefore makes more sense to shut down your station on DAB altogether rather than improve it / increase costs on a already lossmaking platform.

Maybe national DAB will simply become a replacement for national AM with Virgin and Talk Sport on there, perhaps offering a couple of secondary services each?

Channel 4 will either sink or save DAB.

Psion123 · 11-02-2008, 09:50

I'm very disappointed too. Like Pro Dave, Planet Rock was my favourite. I did listen the the Jazz at times, but always felt it's mono channel left it sounding a bit thin and lacking prescence.

As other posters say, it seems to have been a matter of Quantity over Quality, and now Ofcom must have a re-think about the situation. Short of forcing a move to DAB by announcing a shut down of Band II (not a snowballs chance in hell) then there will need to be a real reason for moving to DAB. Ofcom are the ones holding the cards, so they need to act or pronounce the whole thing a failure and turn it off.

Birdsong doesn't seem to be attracting too many advertisers. Duplication of what is already on AM / FM is pointless. Opt outs to DAB only by local stations has very limited benefits - and causes frustration to those who don't have DAB anyway.

Maybe, just maybe, Pirate BBC Essex needs to be given a 192Kb channel for a one year trial, funded by Ofcom, to see what they can do

Westward · 11-02-2008, 09:50

Someone on another forum pointed out that the same pessimism was expressed about DTT on the day ITV Digital went bust, but it proved to be the best thing that happened to the platform.

How gutted will GCap's shareholders be if the platform goes on to be a roaring success (helped by DAB+ launches around the world) after they have pulled out?

PS Ofcom don't have the right to turn off the BBC multiplex so they cannot kill off the medium. I'm sure Channel 4 would have plenty to say in a court of law if they tried to their licence off them.

Andy1120 · 11-02-2008, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westward

Someone on another forum pointed out that the same pessimism was expressed about DTT on the day ITV Digital went bust, but it proved to be the best thing that happened to the platform.

How gutted will GCap's shareholders be if the platform goes on to be a roaring success (helped by DAB+ launches around the world) after they have pulled out?

PS Ofcom don't have the right to turn off the BBC multiplex so they cannot kill off the medium. I'm sure Channel 4 would have plenty to say in a court of law if they tried to their licence off them.

Does the word Titanic mean anything to you Westward? You are becoming DAB's very own Comical Ali. I'm off to find a mug to sell my DAB radio's to.

Dyn · 11-02-2008, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDave

I guess it failed for one of the main reasons i liked it so much, that it played the sort of music I like, but with very very few adverts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierre_gustave

The Jazz was very good
I thought it may have been a success but it I suppose it was never going to find a mass audience.

It's nothing to do with how succesful or not these stations are/were, the reason for this pull out is GCap trying to save their bacon, and needing to cut costs, otherwise they'll be bought up by someone like Global.

It's still a pity that this has to be the area that's cut back though. I supposed XFM and digital stations were an easy target.

norderney · 11-02-2008, 10:03

Does anybody know when TheJazz and Planet Rock are scheduled to close?

Perhaps some super rich Jazz enthusiast will make an offer to take over running/financing of The Jazz.

I really enjoyed listening to The Jazz and I did think that when they switched to Stereo a few weeka ago, that things were really looking positive for the station.

How long can Digital One survive for with just 4 stations? I don't know if BFBS are even paying the going rate as this is just a trail for them!!!!!!

AuralJunkie · 11-02-2008, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westward

Someone on another forum pointed out that the same pessimism was expressed about DTT on the day ITV Digital went bust, but it proved to be the best thing that happened to the platform.

How gutted will GCap's shareholders be if the platform goes on to be a roaring success (helped by DAB+ launches around the world) after they have pulled out?

PS Ofcom don't have the right to turn off the BBC multiplex so they cannot kill off the medium. I'm sure Channel 4 would have plenty to say in a court of law if they tried to their licence off them.

This just about sums the bulk of the commercial sector up. For them it is maximum dividends for the shareholder and not a lot more. Gcap did at least have four or five stations to offer that made their license worth while to the consumer, but they withdrew into the safe zone. Only Classic FM and Chill survives. Classic FM is a "Music While You Work" type station playing safe and shallow, but at least different enough to justify it's existance, & Chill an automated virtually no cost - and probably escaped the axe because of that. I would put XFM on D1, not sure whether Gold would work as it has local advertising. Take Asian Network on D1 until C4 starts, and give the BBC (the only reliable reason to buy DAB for choice reasons) a bit more space to protect the quality of Radio 3.

You are right, DAB will make it as a National (rather than local) platform, and Gcap are in danger of burning their bridges. What it needs is some more serious and varied National programs - and Channel Four are probably the people to do it as they have PSB experience.

AuralJunkie · 11-02-2008, 10:09

P.S. And how ironic that they made this move just a couple of weeks after the Radio Times added The Jazz to it's main listings!!!

Les Wires · 11-02-2008, 10:21

Sorry duplicate....Mods could you please merge...thanks

11-02-2008, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wires

I see GCap have annnounced the closure of these 2 stations

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7238444.stm

That is indeed bad news for DAB.

Not going to be much left then is there? We've lost Oneword, Core, in the last month & now PR & The Jazz.

Makes DAB a bit of a con if you ask me.

mugs · 11-02-2008, 10:27

This can't be through lack of listeners as they have amongst the best reach.I'm glad i've got my satellite radio.Much more choice and not a constant stream of closing stations!.I thought Ofcom were being lenient to GCAP on some matters because they were to plough a lot of resources into DAB(or am i mistaken).saga also did well with Primetime radio but that closed as well,so just how many different stations are there soon going to be on DAB?-and what audience do they need to keep going.It seems to be doomed the way things are going.

11-02-2008, 10:30

Planet Rock was for me the best station on DAB. They have really got much better over the past 18 months its the best UK rock station there is in my opinion. Caroline matches it at times but I always find Caroline so inconsistent.

11-02-2008, 07:26	#1
darnall42 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sheffield Services: freeview(thomson TUTV dtr).Humax Freesat HD.02 broadband Posts: 1,185	planet rock to close? just heard the sad on bbc breakfast news news that planet rock is going to close! anybody got any news? http://corporate.gcapmedia.com/index...=15&entryId=94 looks like the end for the jazz also Last edited by darnall42 : 11-02-2008 at 07:37. Reason: added link

11-02-2008, 08:16	#5
jam2000 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cambs Services: DAB, Freeview, ESPN, FreeSatHD, Ubuntu, Xbox360,EeePC Posts: 2,439	The Jazz and Planet Rock to close (merged) http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...ommercialradio

11-02-2008, 10:21	#22
Les Wires Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Services: Sky, Sat FTA, DAB, DRM (Matsui4099 mod) Posts: 2,077	The Jazz and Planet Rock to close Sorry duplicate....Mods could you please merge...thanks

11-02-2008, 07:29	#3
tghe-retford Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Gender: Male Location: Retford Services: DTT (Emley Moor), DAB, Wi-Fi Radio, Kubuntu, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 16	It'll close by March 31st, according to that release above.

11-02-2008, 08:34	#6
richie wild Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: wirral Services: rai/mediaset, la7, AB3, TNT SAT, ABSat, Ant 1, sky, freeview, TiVo, dab Posts: 6,072	oh dear! is DAB doomed? what, if anything, will replace these two reasons for people to buy a dab radio?

11-02-2008, 08:38	#7
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,297	Very sad indeed. Planet Rock was my favourite radio station. I guess it failed for one of the main reasons i liked it so much, that it played the sort of music I like, but with very very few adverts. Don't forget this is not just a loss from DAB. I used to listen to it via satellite.

11-02-2008, 08:43	#8
pierre_gustave Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,509	The Jazz was very good I thought it may have been a success but it I suppose it was never going to find a mass audience. Shame.

11-02-2008, 09:13	#10
richie wild Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: wirral Services: rai/mediaset, la7, AB3, TNT SAT, ABSat, Ant 1, sky, freeview, TiVo, dab Posts: 6,072	perhaps they should move Gold onto D1 (in stereo), and remove it from all the local muxes - would that save them any money?

11-02-2008, 09:33	#12
Grumman Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 86	I don't think you'll see any other GCap stations/services going onto DAB. They are selling their DAB interests to Arquiva for a nominal sum (£1?). Also, the XFM licences will be handed back to Ofcom if not sold by the end of March, XFM London being the exception, of course. Seems strange that only a year ago Ralph Bernard was quoting "Planet Rock is a brand of the future" This just proves to me what a total cock-up the merger between Capital and GWR really was and is a great reason why consolidation in the industry will kill radio in the UK.

11-02-2008, 09:42	#13
musn't grumble Posts: n/a	I thought Planet Rock was doing well. Well that's a shame, but Digital One and GCap seem to be doing pretty poorly at the moment. Give it to a provider who can do something decent to DAB.

11-02-2008, 09:50	#15
Psion123 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mid Kent Services: Sky, Freeview, DAB, Broadband Posts: 174	I'm very disappointed too. Like Pro Dave, Planet Rock was my favourite. I did listen the the Jazz at times, but always felt it's mono channel left it sounding a bit thin and lacking prescence. As other posters say, it seems to have been a matter of Quantity over Quality, and now Ofcom must have a re-think about the situation. Short of forcing a move to DAB by announcing a shut down of Band II (not a snowballs chance in hell) then there will need to be a real reason for moving to DAB. Ofcom are the ones holding the cards, so they need to act or pronounce the whole thing a failure and turn it off. Birdsong doesn't seem to be attracting too many advertisers. Duplication of what is already on AM / FM is pointless. Opt outs to DAB only by local stations has very limited benefits - and causes frustration to those who don't have DAB anyway. Maybe, just maybe, Pirate BBC Essex needs to be given a 192Kb channel for a one year trial, funded by Ofcom, to see what they can do

11-02-2008, 09:50	#16
Westward Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 4,585	Someone on another forum pointed out that the same pessimism was expressed about DTT on the day ITV Digital went bust, but it proved to be the best thing that happened to the platform. How gutted will GCap's shareholders be if the platform goes on to be a roaring success (helped by DAB+ launches around the world) after they have pulled out? PS Ofcom don't have the right to turn off the BBC multiplex so they cannot kill off the medium. I'm sure Channel 4 would have plenty to say in a court of law if they tried to their licence off them.

11-02-2008, 10:03	#19
norderney Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hampshire, England Services: Slim Devices Transporter (network music player), Sky Digital & DAB Posts: 221	Does anybody know when TheJazz and Planet Rock are scheduled to close? Perhaps some super rich Jazz enthusiast will make an offer to take over running/financing of The Jazz. I really enjoyed listening to The Jazz and I did think that when they switched to Stereo a few weeka ago, that things were really looking positive for the station. How long can Digital One survive for with just 4 stations? I don't know if BFBS are even paying the going rate as this is just a trail for them!!!!!!

11-02-2008, 10:09	#21
AuralJunkie Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dorset Services: Freeview, DAB, Hi-Fi Tuner, and Steam Radio Posts: 1,097	P.S. And how ironic that they made this move just a couple of weeks after the Radio Times added The Jazz to it's main listings!!!

11-02-2008, 10:27	#24
mugs Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,142	This can't be through lack of listeners as they have amongst the best reach.I'm glad i've got my satellite radio.Much more choice and not a constant stream of closing stations!.I thought Ofcom were being lenient to GCAP on some matters because they were to plough a lot of resources into DAB(or am i mistaken).saga also did well with Primetime radio but that closed as well,so just how many different stations are there soon going to be on DAB?-and what audience do they need to keep going.It seems to be doomed the way things are going.

11-02-2008, 10:30	#25
John Hilton Posts: n/a	Planet Rock was for me the best station on DAB. They have really got much better over the past 18 months its the best UK rock station there is in my opinion. Caroline matches it at times but I always find Caroline so inconsistent.