Media
Guardian Media Group Radio is planning to launch Jazz FM on DAB in London, the North West and the West Midlands.
The announcement comes despite the broadcaster being knocked back in a request to reduce the amount of jazz it plays on FM station Smooth Radio.
It is also a boost to DAB as a platform at a time when several stations have closed and doubt exists over progress with launching a second national multiplex.
GMG said in a statement: "Despite Ofcom’s decision, GMG Radio will continue with its plan to relaunch Jazz FM as a DAB digital station for London and the North West of England and has also decided to launch the station in the West Midlands. A stream of the jazzfm.com service is already currently available in Glasgow.
"Full plans for the relaunch will be announced soon. GMG Radio’s decision to relaunch the Jazz FM brand is in response to overwhelming requests from jazz music fans for a dedicated service to this genre of music following the demise of theJazz." GCap-owned digital-only station theJazz closed last month, while Jazz FM has been an internet-only station since 2006.
In addition, GMG said it was "disappointed" the regulator had refused to drop the requirement that Smooth play 45 hours of jazz per week week.
Programme director John Simons said: "We’re disappointed at the decision, which is a frustration as it’s clear to see that this genre of music no longer sits comfortably alongside Smooth Radio’s new sound, which the listeners love.
"We will encourage Ofcom to continue lobbying the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to change the existing legislation, which cannot link the consideration of changes to analogue radio to that of proposed changes to DAB services. If this is successful we will reapply for the format change."
Meanwhile, GMG will launch a new FM station in Greater Manchester, 106.1 Rock Radio, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5. There will be a launch event on the day at the city's Cathedral Gardens with performances from Bad Company and GUN.
The announcement comes despite the broadcaster being knocked back in a request to reduce the amount of jazz it plays on FM station Smooth Radio.
It is also a boost to DAB as a platform at a time when several stations have closed and doubt exists over progress with launching a second national multiplex.
GMG said in a statement: "Despite Ofcom’s decision, GMG Radio will continue with its plan to relaunch Jazz FM as a DAB digital station for London and the North West of England and has also decided to launch the station in the West Midlands. A stream of the jazzfm.com service is already currently available in Glasgow.
"Full plans for the relaunch will be announced soon. GMG Radio’s decision to relaunch the Jazz FM brand is in response to overwhelming requests from jazz music fans for a dedicated service to this genre of music following the demise of theJazz." GCap-owned digital-only station theJazz closed last month, while Jazz FM has been an internet-only station since 2006.
In addition, GMG said it was "disappointed" the regulator had refused to drop the requirement that Smooth play 45 hours of jazz per week week.
Programme director John Simons said: "We’re disappointed at the decision, which is a frustration as it’s clear to see that this genre of music no longer sits comfortably alongside Smooth Radio’s new sound, which the listeners love.
"We will encourage Ofcom to continue lobbying the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to change the existing legislation, which cannot link the consideration of changes to analogue radio to that of proposed changes to DAB services. If this is successful we will reapply for the format change."
Meanwhile, GMG will launch a new FM station in Greater Manchester, 106.1 Rock Radio, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5. There will be a launch event on the day at the city's Cathedral Gardens with performances from Bad Company and GUN.
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