Media UK

Planet Rock - news archive

This is an archive of news about Planet Rock. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Virgin's Classic Rock revamp
From Radio Today. Posted May 16 2008, 1.23am
Virgin is putting up a fight against Planet Rock and GMG's new Rock Radio network by giving Virgin Radio Classic Rock a major overhaul, which will see the station offer live news and travel updates, along with new programmes, jingles and strapline.Broadcasting on Sky, Virgin, online and on DAB in London, the station will now enjoy cross-promotion from Virgin Radio, and position itself as the UK's Rock Authority. (more)

Under-threat Planet Rock wins Sony digital station of the year
From The Times. Posted May 13 2008, 11.31am
Planet Rock, the radio station that GCap Media, Britain's largest commercial radio group, announced it would axe, was last night named digital station of the year at the prestigious Sony Radio Awards. (more)

We will rock you - GCap station talks
From Financial Times. Posted May 9 2008, 3.00am
Brian May, the guitarist with Queen, has revealed he is in talks to mount 'a rescue operation' to save Planet Rock, the digital radio station that GCap Media plans to... (more)

Brian May on mission to save Planet Rock
From Digital Spy. Posted May 8 2008, 11.43am
Queen guitarist Brian May reveals a "rescue operation" for digital-only radio station Planet Rock. (more)

Queen wants to Rock
From Radio Today. Posted May 8 2008, 10.02am
Queen guitarist Brian May is launching a bid to save Planet Rock, the national digital radio station due to be axed by GCap. (more)

Brian May launches bid to rescue digital station Planet Rock
From Media Guardian. Posted May 8 2008, 6.35am
Brian May has emerged as an unlikely possible saviour of embattled digital radio station Planet Rock. By John Plunkett (more)

GCap can't stop the Rock
From Radio Today. Posted May 1 2008, 10.11am
While its future remains uncertain, despite potential success at the Sony Award later this month, Planet Rock has been bolstered by an increase in listening hours. (more)

Planet Rock sale delayed
From Radio Today. Posted April 25 2008, 11.50pm
The future of Planet Rock remains uncertain for another month whilst interested parties continue to negotiate with owners GCap Media. The deadline to shut or sell the digital-only station has been extended to May 30th, as Global Radio finalise their takeover plans. (more)

EXCLUSIVE: Full Sky Digital EPG listings after reshuffle
From Biz Asia. Posted April 24 2008, 11.52am
BizAsia.co.uk brings you the full Sky Digital channel listings as they will appear after the reshuffle. There are no changes planned for following EPG categories Documentaries, Sports, Adult and Radio. Sky plans to implement a marketing campaign through a number of different media prior to the changes taking place in order to inform viewers of the changes. The new channel line up is currently scheduled to be implemented on a genre by genre basis between 05:00 and 08:00 on the dates specified below. Entertainment 101 BBC1 / RTE1 102 BBC2 / RTE2 103 ITV1 / UTV / TV3 104 Channel 4 / TG4 / S4C 105 Five 106 Sky One 107 Sky Two 108 Sky Three 109 UKTV Gold 110 UKTV Gold +1 111 Dave 112 LIVING 113 LIVING +1 114 LIVING2 115 BBC THREE 116 BBC FOUR 117 Channel 4 (Wales) 118 ITV2 119 ITV3 120 ITV4 121 Virgin1 122 Virgin1+1 123 Bravo 124 Bravo+1 125 Challenge 126 ParaComedy 1 127 ParaComedy +1 128 ParaComedy 2 129 SCI FI 130 SCI FI +1 131 ITV2+1 132 UKTV Drama 133 UKTV Drama+1 134 S4C 135 Channel 4+1 / Channel 4 136 E4 / Channel 4+1 137 E4+1 / E4 EIRE 138 More4 / E4+1 (ROI) 139 More4+1 / More4 (ROI) 140 Channel 4 HD / More4+1 (ROI) 141 BBC1 NI (ROI Only) 142 BBC2 NI (ROI Only) 143 BBC HD 144 DMAX 145 DMAX+1 146 Zone Reality 147 Zone Reality +1 148 Zone Reality X 149 Zone Romantica 150 Hallmark 151 E! Entertainm 152 Challenge+1 153 Bravo2 154 DMAX+2 155 Hollywood TV 156 Biography 157 Film24 158 Dave +1 159 ParaComedy2+ 160 MTV 161 RTE1 (NI) 162 RTE2 (NI) 163 TG4 (NI) 164 FX 165 FX+ 166 Information TV 167 Info TV2 168 Passion TV 169 Raj TV 170 Sky One HD 171 My Channel 172 Trouble 173 Trouble +1 174 Five US 175 Five US +1 176 Five Life 177 Five Life +1 178 Men & Motors 179 ITV3+1 180 Red 181 fame TV 182 Channel 6 (only avail ROI) 183 Current TV 184 BEN 185 Ape TV 186 Life One 187 AIT Int'l 188 AnimeCentral 189 Open Access 2 190 Open Access 3 191 Urban TV 192 OBE 193 FX+1 194 Sumo TV 195 propeller 196 Nuts TV 197 Pulse 198 BET 199 200 201 202 203 Channel M 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 Lifestyle & Culture 240 Disc.RealTime 241 Disc.RT Extra 242 Disc.H&Health 243 Sky Real Lives 244 SkyRealLive+1 245 SkyRealLives2 246 UKTV Style 247 UKTV Style +1 248 UKTV Gardens 249 UKTV Food 250 UKTV Food +1 251 Travel Channel 252 Travel Ch +1 253 254 Disc.RT +1 255 Disc.H&H +1 256 Sky Arts 257 Sky Arts HD 258 UKTV Style 2 259 Performance 260 Mainstreet 261 Fashion TV 262 Real Estate TV 263 264 Wine TV 265 Disc.Travel&L 266 Wedding TV 267 Wedding TV+1 268 Africa Channel 269 Diva TV 270 SA Direct 271 Luxe TV 272 Baby Channel 273 Luxe TV HD 274 O'seasproperty 275 276 277 278 279 280 Horse&Country 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 Movies 301 Sky Premiere 302 Sky Prem+1 303 Sky Comedy 304 Sky Action 305 Sky Family 306 Sky Drama 307 Sky ScFi/Horror 308 Sky Classics 309 Sky Mdn Greats 310 Sky Indie 311 SkyScreen 1 312 SkyScreen 2 313 Sky PremiereHD 314 SkyScreen 1HD 315 Film4 316 Film4 +1 317 TCM 318 TCM 2 319 Zone Horror 320 Zone Thriller 321 True Movies 322 True Movies 2 323 movies4men 324 movies4men+1 325 movies4men 2 326 327 movies24 328 movies24+ 329 Nollywood 330 AIT 332 SkyScreen 2HD 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 347 348 349 Music 350 MTV ONE 351 MTV ONE+1 352 MTV BASE 353 MTV HITS 354 MTV DANCE 355 MTV TWO 356 VH1 357 VH1 Classic 358 TMF 359 The Box 360 The Hits 361 KISS 362 Smash Hits! 363 Magic 364 Q 365 Chart Show TV 366 The Vault 367 Flava 368 Kerrang! 369 oMusic TV 370 Channel U 371 Fizz 372 Bliss 373 374 Scuzz 375 376 Flaunt 377 378 ROCKWORLDTV 379 Bubble Hits 380 Musflash TV 381 Bedroom TV 382 NME TV 383 Clubland 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 Music Choice 396 Music Choice 397 398 399 400 Sports 401 Sky Sports 1 402 Sky Sports 2 403 Sky Sports 3 404 Sky Spts Xtra 405 Sky Spts News 406 MUTV 407 408 Sky Sports HD1 409 Sky Sports HD2 410 Eurosport UK 411 Eurosport2 UK 412 413 Motors TV 414 415 At The Races 416 417 NASN 418 Setanta Golf 419 Extreme Sports 420 421 Chelsea TV 422 423 Arsenal TV 424 Arsenal Replay 425 426 427 Fight Network 428 429 Setanta Sports1 430 Setanta Sports2 432 Racing UK 433 Racing World 434 Setanta Ireland (Not NI) 435 Setanta News 436 Celtic TV 437 438 Rangers TV 439 Setanta Sports (ROI) 440 441 442 ESPN Classic 443 444 445 RealmadridTV 446 447 448 LiverpoolFCTV 449 450 Sky Sports HD3 451 452 Rush HD 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 PPV 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 News 501 Sky News 502 Bloomberg 503 BBC NEWS 504 BBC PARL'MNT 505 CNBC 506 CNN 507 S4C2 508 EuroNews 509 FOX News 510 CCTV-9 511 NDTV 24x7 512 Russia Today 513 France 24 514 Al Jazeera Eng 515 516 517 518 519 Documentaries 520 Discovery 521 Discovery+1 522 Disc.Knowldge 523 Disc. Turbo 524 Disc. Science 525 Animal Planet 526 Nat Geo 527 Nat Geo+ 1hr 528 Nat Geo Wild 529 History 530 History+1hour 531 Crime 532 UKTV Docs 533 UKTV Docs+1 534 UKTV People 535 Animal Plnt+1 536 Discovery HD 537 UKTV History 538 UKTV H'tory+1 539 CommunityChnl 540 541 542 543 Nat Geo HD 544 545 History HD 546 547 Business Chn'l 548 549 Disc.Sci+1 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 Religion 580 GOD Channel 581 GOD Europe 582 Wonderful 583 TBN Europe 584 DAYSTAR 585 revelation 586 UCB TV 587 Inspiration 588 LOVEWORLD TV 589 EWTN 590 Gospel Channel 591 Word Network 592 Genesis 593 Faith 594 KICC TV 595 596 597 598 599 600 Kids 601 Cartoon Netwrk 602 CN Too 603 Boomerang 604 Nickelodeon 605 Nick Replay 606 Nicktoons 607 Jetix 608 Jetix +1 609 Disney Chnl 610 Disney Chnl+1 611 Play Disney 612 Play Disney+ 613 CBBC Channel 614 CBeebies 615 Nick Jr. 616 POP 617 Tiny Pop 618 Boomerang +1 619 Cartoonito 620 Nick Jr. 2 621 CITV 622 Disney Cine 623 BabyTV 624 BabyFirst 625 Tiny Pop +1 626 PopGirl 627 Pop +1 628 Disney Cine+1 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 Shopping 640 QVC 641 JML 642 JML Lifestyle 643 TV SHOP 644 Ideal World 645 price-drop tv 646 Pitch TV 647 Thomson TV 648 JJB Sports 649 Best Direct 650 Jewellery Ch. 651 Simply Ideas 652 TV Warehouse1 653 TV Warehouse 654 bid tv 655 Thomas Cook 656 Gems TV 657 Pitch World 658 Best Direct+ 659 Shop on TV 660 Thane Direct 661 TVW Select 662 JML Choice 663 Stop + Shop 664 Price Crash 665 speedauctiontv 666 JML Innovation 667 JML Solutions 668 Vitality 669 Sky Travel 670 Gems TV 2 671 Create & Craft 672 Teletext Hols 673 Vinappris 674 JJB Golf 675 Max TV 676 U Save.TV 677 CelebrityShop 678 Price Crash 2 679 Home&Travel 680 Screenshop2 681 682 Entrepreneur 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 Movies PPV 700 Sky Box Office 701 Sky Box Office 702 Sky Box Office 703 Sky Box Office 704 Sky Box Office 705 Sky Box Office 706 Sky Box Office 707 Sky Box Office 708 Sky Box Office 709 Sky Box Office 710 Sky Box Office 711 Sky Box Office 712 Sky Box Office 713 Sky Box Office 714 Sky Box Office 715 Sky Box Office 716 Sky Box Office 717 Sky Box Office 718 Sky Box Office 719 Sky Box Office 720 Sky Box Office 721 Sky Box Office 722 Sky Box Office 723 Sky Box Office 724 Sky Box Office 725 Sky Box Office 726 Sky Box Office 727 Sky Box Office 728 Sky Box Office 729 Sky Box Office 730 Sky Box Office 731 Sky Box Office 732 Sky Box Office 733 Sky Box Office 734 Sky Box Office 735 Sky Box Office 736 Sky Box Office 737 Sky Box Office 738 Sky Box Office 739 Sky Box Office 740 Sky Box Office 741 Sky Box Office 742 Sky Box Office 743 Sky Box Office 744 Sky Box Office 745 Sky Box Office 746 Sky Box Office 747 Sky Box Office 748 Sky Box Office 749 Sky Box Office 750 Sky Box Office 751 Sky Box Office 752 SBO HD1 753 SBO HD2 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 International 780 B4U Movies 781 B4U Music 782 Sony TV Asia 783 STAR One 784 STAR Plus 785 PCNE Chinese 786 Bangla TV 787 mta-muslim tv 788 Zee TV 789 Zee Music 790 Zee Cinema 791 ARY Digital 792 PTV Prime 793 MATV National 794 DW-TV 795 TVEi 796 Abu Dhabi TV 797 SouthForYou 798 AlphaEtcPun 799 TV5 800 MAX 801 Record TV 802 DM Digital 803 DM Gold 804 ARY QTV 805 Venus TV 806 ARY Oneworld 807 Aastha TV 808 STAR News 809 STAR Gold 810 PTV Global 811 Zee Gujarati 812 Mana Telugu 813 Islam Channel 814 Channel 'S' 815 GEO UK 816 Sahara Filmy 817 Sahara One 818 AAJ TAK 819 Noor TV 820 Peace TV 821 Channel Punjab 822 Music India 823 jazeerachildren 824 AAG 825 GEO News 826 Channel S NTV 827 ATN 828 DD-News 829 DD-India 830 Sunrise TV 831 NDTV Imagine 832 Glory TV 833 Brit Asia TV 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 Gaming 860 i Play TV 861 Gala TV 862 Pitch Gaming 863 YouPlay TV 864 Sky Vegas 865 SkyPoker.com 866 Live Roulette 867 Pitchgaming2 868 YouPlay TV2 869 SmartLive 870 871 872 873 874 Dating 875 Dating Channel 876 Gay Date TV 877 Gay Network 878 Chat Box 879 Specialist 880 Teachers TV 881 Pub Channel 882 Sky Venue 883 Open Access 884 Audi Channel 885 SupremrMastr 886 Psychic TV 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 897 898 899 Sky Cust Ch Adult 900 Playboy TV 901 Adult Channel 902 Spice Extreme 903 Television X 904 Television X2 905 Television X3 906 Babestation 907 FriendlyTV 908 Babeworld.tv 909 Get Lucky TV 910 Lucky Star 911 Playboy One 912 Tease Me 913 Television X4 914 Over 18 TV 915 Climax3 - 1 916 Climax3 - 2 917 Climax3 - 3 918 SportxxxBabes 919 redhot amateur 920 redhot 40 + 921 redhot just 18 922 redhot dd 923 redhot fetish 924 redhot girl girl 925 redhot raw 926 redhot viewers 927 XPLICITXXX 928 Playboy TV 929 Adult Channel 930 Spice Extreme 931 Hustler TV UK 932 100% Babes 933 XXX TV 934 Amateur Babes 935 Gay TV 936 SportxxxGirls 937 SportxxxWives 938 18 Plus Movies 939 18 Plus Movies 940 18 Plus Movies 941 18 Plus Movies 942 18 Plus Movies 943 18 Plus Movies 944 18 Plus Movies 945 Gay Prowler TV 946 Fantasy 1 947 Fantasy 2 948 Tease Me 2 949 House Of Fun 950 LivexxxBabes 951 Blue Kiss TV 952 The Other Side 953 954 Northern Birds 955 Essex Babes 956 HappyHourGirls 957 LiveXXX 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 Entertainment 970 Sky Cust Ch 971 BBC 1 Scotland 972 BBC 1 Wales 973 BBC 1 NI 974 BBC 1 London 975 BBC 1 NE & C 976 BBC 1 Yorks 977 BBC 1 Yrks&Lin 978 BBC 1 N West 979 BBC 1 W Mids 980 BBC 1 E Mids 981 BBC 1 East (E) 982 BBC 1 East (W) 983 BBC 1 S East 984 BBC 1 South 985 BBC 1 Oxford 986 BBC 1 West 987 BBC 1 S West 988 BBC 1 Cl 989 BBC 2 England 990 BBC 2 Scotland 991 BBC 2W 992 BBC 2 NI 993 ITV1 (AD) 994 Channel 4 (AD) 995 HD Retail Info (Ret Only)/ Channel 4+1 (AD) 996 Chl Line-up 997 Retail Info (Ret Only) 998 Sky 999 Sky Cust Ch Radio 0101 BBC R1 0102 BBC R2 0103 BBC R3 0104 BBC R4 FM 0105 BBC R5 Live 0106 Classic FM 0107 Virgin Radio 0108 talkSPORT 0109 Capital 0110 Planet Rock 0111 XFM 0112 FUN Radio 0113 theJazz 0114 Choice FM 0115 BBC WS 0116 BBC R Scot. 0117 BBC R Wales 0118 BBC R Ulster 0119 BBC Asian N 0120 BBC 6 Music 0121 Gold 0122 WRN Europe 0123 Premier 0124 Heart 0125 UCB UK 0126 0127 0128 smooth fm 0129 Solar Radio 0130 Panjab Radio 0131 BBC 7 0132 0133 Sunrise 0134 UCB Bible 0135 UCB Talk 0136 UCB Insp 0137 1Xtra BBC 0138 TWR 0139 BBC R n Gael 0140 0141 Raaj Radio 0142 RTE R1 Extra 0143 BBC R4 LW 0144 BBC 5LSport 0145 Club Asia 0146 Real Radio 0147 EWTN 0148 0149 0150 Sukh Sagar 0151 Asian Gold 0152 BBC London 0153 0154 BBC R Cymru 0155 0156 CC Radio 0157 0158 Gaydarradio 0159 Family Radio 0160 RTE Radio 1 0161 ArrwRock 0162 0163 0164 RTE 2FM 0165 RTE Lyric fm 0166 RTE RnaG 0167 0168 Akash Radio 0169 Desi Radio 0170 The Hits 0171 Galaxy 0172 Smash Hits 0173 Kismat 0174 0175 0176 Amrit Bani 0177 LBC 97.3 0178 Kiss 0179 Heat 0180 Magic 0181 Q 0182 MOJO 0183 Kerrang 0184 Radio 0185 Spectrum 1 0186 Liberty 0187 Yarr 0188 InsightRadio 0189 0190 big L 1395 0191 0192 0193 0194 Colourful 0195 RTI Radio 0196 0197 0198 0199 Caroline 0200 VirginXtrme 0201 VirginCRock 0202 VirginGrve 0203 Virgin 105.8 0204 0205 DutchIntSv 0206 Recordbrazil 0207 Rainbow 0208 0209 Yorkshire R 0210 Newstalk 0211 BFBS Radio 0212 Hot 0213 0214 0215 0216 0217 0218 0219 0220 0221 0222 0223 0224 0225 0226 0227 0228 0229 0230 0231 0232 0233 0234 0235 0236 0237 0238 0239 0240 Related links: EXCLUSIVE: Asian channels Sky EPG listings Sky EPG resuffle to affect Asian channels New EPG numbers for Asian channels on Sky Asian channels set for EPG reshuffle on Sky (more)

Nationals to promote in-car DAB
From Radio Today. Posted April 21 2008, 12.20am
Virgin Radio, talkSPORT, Planet Rock and Classic FM are just some of the high-profile radio stations promoting the benefits of in-car DAB listening this summer. (more)

Sony Awards 2008 - nominations
From Radio Today. Posted April 9 2008, 8.02pm
The nominations for the 2008 Sony Radio Academy Awards have been announced at a special event hosted by Chris Evans in London's West End. Highlights includes Planet Rock nominated for Digital Station of the Year and a new category named The Multiplatform Radio Award. (more)

theJazz confirms closure date
From Radio Today. Posted March 28 2008, 12.16pm
Digital radio station theJazz will close next week. Industry rumours suggested the station might be thrown a life-line along with Planet Rock, which will stay on-air for another month, but GCap has confirmed the closure date and time as midnight on Monday 31st March. (more)

Planet Rock saved.. for now
From Radio Today. Posted March 22 2008, 12.21pm
Planet Rock will continue broadcasting beyond the original closure date offered by GCap chief executive Fru Hazlitt. The station was due to shut down on March 28th along with theJazz from digital platforms including Digital One and Sky. (more)

Is digital radio any good?
From Media Guardian. Posted February 13 2008, 11.17am
With the announcement of the sad departure of theJazz and the mighty Planet Rock this week, things are looking bleak for digital radio. Does the medium deserve to be abandoned? (more)

Asian radio industry gives DAB backing
From Biz Asia. Posted February 12 2008, 10.25pm
DAB radio IS the future, say key players in the UK Asian radio sector. The industry is already split over DAB. Is it the cornerstone of the future of digital radio, or is it a hugely expensive white elephant that has already been overtaken by rival delivery platforms such as the web? Earlier this week, GCap Media announced it is to pull back from digital radio to help double profits as part of an overhaul which will see digital radio brands such as theJazz and Planet Rock close down (it has already closed down Core, Life and Disney). BizAsia.co.uk has spoken to the key figures of Asian radio industry who all unanimously supported DAB. Jenny Abramsky, Director, BBC Audio & Music "The BBC has been at the forefront of digital radio for more than ten years and remains fully committed to DAB and the other digital delivery platforms. There's an exciting future for radio. It is central to the lives of huge numbers of people who listen every week. "Recent RAJAR listening figures show that nearly 5.6 million people tune into BBC Radio via DAB each week and the BBC's digital-only networks continue to grow, with two networks – 6 Music and BBC 7 – recently posting record listening figures." Raj Baddhan, Station Manager, ZEE Radio “As a new player in the UK Asian DAB market, we are positive our carefully sifted programming will attract new listeners to digital radio. Programming, packaging and the marketing of the station are factors that can determine the popularity of one station; we aim to deliver on all three. Watch this space." John Ogden, Director, Club Asia "This is a very difficult time for Commercial stations who have been heavily exposed in DAB. Many groups pursued a "land grab" when DAB was launched. They are now realising that the costs of maintaining present simulcast services are largely unsustainable. "However, Commercial Radio is questioning the viability of DAB just as interest among retailers, manufacturers and listeners has never been higher. 23% of homes have DAB digital radio and 30% of homes are listening to radio on a digital platform. However, those listeners clearly demand more than a simulcast of what's already available on their old AM or FM frequencies. We remain excited about our role in the new Channel 4 led multiplex. It is clear to us at Club Asia that DAB has a role in a fast converging UK media industry. DAB is part of a bouquet of opportunities offered to listeners in the future. Listening via the internet and mobile technology will complete the picture. The key is providing new and exciting services that listeners can't get elsewhere" Surjit Singh Ghuman, Director, Asian FX and Panjab Radio "Panjab Radio has proved itself as a leading brand on digital radio with its niche programming. Once again we’re doing the same with Asian FX by offering an entity, which is individual but also something, which listeners have shown interest in. I’m hoping we can turn around the negative press DAB has been receiving of late by shaking up the market with our Asian FX, just like we did with Panjab Radio." Sunrise Radio, which is launching nationally on DAB early next-year refused to provide us with a quote on their plans. Related links: RAJAR Results: Record high listeners for DAB EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Radio launch details emerge Asian FX confirmed for West Midlands DAB launch Two new radio stations launch on Midlands DAB Club Asia to offer podcasts via 4 Digital Group Sunrise Radio to go national after new licence win BBC Asian Network to launch two free podcasts (more)

DRDB 'regrets' GCap's retreat from DAB
From Digital Spy. Posted February 11 2008, 1.20pm
The group charged with promoting DAB radio says it "regrets" GCap's decision to close Planet Rock and the Jazz. (more)

UK?s GCap Media decides to close its digital radio stations
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 11 2008, 12.44pm
Fru Hazlitt, the new Chief Executive of UK broadcasting group GCap Media plc, today presented her strategy for the Company and its subsidiaries. The strategy includes: * the closure of non-core brands theJazz and Planet Rock * Disposal of Xfm regional analogue licences in Scotland, South Wales and Manchester and focusing on Xfm’s heritage as a London brand and [...] (more)

DAB trade body stays positive
From Radio Today. Posted February 11 2008, 12.22pm
The Digital Radio Development Bureau has acknowledged GCap Media's decision to sell their share in Digital One and close theJazz and Planet Rock by saying they look forward to the emergence of new national DAB only services, and the rationalisation of the commercial radio national DAB provision. (more)

GCap to pull out of DAB and cut costs
From Financial Times. Posted February 11 2008, 8.32am
The radio group is to close its remaining digital-only stations, Planet Rock and theJazz, in an effort to improve profits and fend off a £313m approach from Global Media (more)

GCap digital stations for the chop
From Media Guardian. Posted February 11 2008, 7.58am
GCap Media is to close its digital radio stations TheJazz and Planet Rock and sell its stake in national digital radio operator Digital One. By John Plunkett. (more)

Xfm network for sale
From Radio Today. Posted February 11 2008, 7.35am
Xfm stations outside London have been put up for sale by GCap Media today, as announced in Fru Hazlitt's new set of cost-cutting measures for the company. Also announced, as expected, theJazz and Planet Rock are to close and Digital One is to be disposed of. (more)

Xfm and Digital One for sale
From Radio Today. Posted February 11 2008, 7.35am
Xfm stations outside London have been put up for sale by GCap Media today, as announced in Fru Hazlitt's new set of cost-cutting measures for the company. Also announced, as expected, the new chief executive is to close theJazz and Planet Rock and dispose of the Digital One multiplex. (more)

More Digital One on the coast
From Radio Today. Posted February 8 2008, 5.31am
The national DAB network for GCap Media's Digital One network has extended with a new transmitter for the Yorkshire Coast. The new relay in Whitby will serve 30,000 people who were previously unable to receive national stations such as theJazz and Planet Rock. (more)

Pink Floyd Bassist Joins Planet Rock
From Merry Media. Posted January 15 2008, 10.43am
Pink Floyd and Roxy Music bassist Guy Pratt is the new presenter of the Friday night show on Planet Rock. The Guy Pratt Pre-Licensing Law Shake Up Lock In will be on every Friday between 11pm and 1am. . (more)

Planet Rock signs Pink Floyd Guy
From Radio Today. Posted January 15 2008, 12.13am
GCap Media has signed Pink Floyd and Roxy Music bassist Guy Pratt to present a weekly Friday night show on Planet Rock. (more)

The Hits extends digital lead
From Media Guardian. Posted October 25 2007, 1.32pm
Emap's The Hits and Smash Hits and GCap's Planet Rock are the top digital-only commercial radio stations. By John Plunkett. (more)

Gallaghers support Planet Rock
From Radio Today. Posted September 3 2007, 12.24pm
Planet Rock is to hold an online charity auction in a bid to raise money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. The GCap Media station has gained the support of many rock legends including Noel & Liam Gallagher. The auction, named Rock Star Radios will offer special Marshall editions of the PURE Evoke 1XT DAB digital radio. (more)

Planet Rock Auction in Aid of Charity
From Merry Media. Posted September 3 2007, 12.10pm
Planet Rock are teaming up with PURE and Marshall Amplification to host an online charity auction - RockStarRadios - in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.. (more)

Digital stations nominated
From Radio Today. Posted August 30 2007, 1.03pm
Digital radio stations and services nominated for this years BT Digital Music Awards range from GCap Media's Xfm and Planet Rock to BBC 6 Music. Voting is now taking place online ready for the awards event on October 2nd, expected to be attended by over 1000 guests. (more)

Sony Radio Award Winners 2007
From Merry Media. Posted May 1 2007, 1.30am
The 25th Sony Radio Academy Awards took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London last night with BBC Radio 4, Planet Rock, Isle of Wight Radio and Virgin Radio among the winners.. (more)

Planet Rock backs DAB with Marshall amp digital radio
From Brand Republic. Posted November 9 2006, 11.11am
LONDON - GCap Media's digital station Planet Rock has joined forces with guitar amplifier maker Marshall Amps and consumer electronics company Pure Digital to create a limited digital radio for rock fans. (more)

Planet Rock launches Marshal Amp digital radio with Pure
From Breaking Radio. Posted November 5 2006, 7.35am
Planet Rock has launched a DAB Digital Radio with a Marshall Amp and Pure. The radio (with volume that goes up to 11) is available at John Lewis. (more)

Ten applications for Liverpool
From Radio Today. Posted July 14 2006, 12.00pm
Ofcom has received ten applications for the Liverpool FM commercial radio licence. These are: allTalk FM Liverpool allTalk FM Liverpool Limited, 5 Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 4XE Contact: Jim Davies Tel: 0151 907 3000 Email: jim.davies@dwf.co.uk A speech based station with a strong commitment to locally led news and information, with intelligent, entertaining and interactive debate relevant to the people of Liverpool and the surrounding areas. The Arrow The Arrow (Liverpool) Ltd, The Chrysalis Building, 13 Bramley Road, London, W10 6SP Contact: Daniel Owen Tel: 020 7470 1065 Email: daniel.owen@chrysalis.com A classic and contemporary rock music station for listeners over 35 in Liverpool. CityTalk Radio City (Sound of Merseyside) Limited, St John’s Beacon, 1 Houghton Street, Liverpool, L1 1RL Contact: Terry Smith Tel: 0151 472 6800 Email: terrysmith545@btinternet.com 24 hours a day of speech programming including news, sport, features, documentaries, advice, phone-ins, studio discussions and special flagship programs on weekly or monthly basis. 105.9 JACK FM Liverpool Liverpool Radio 1059 Limited, 216 Tower Street, Liverpool, L3 4BJ Contact: Clive Dickens Tel: 0151 630 2375 Email: clive@jackfmliverpool.com A variety rock music station for Liverpool and the surrounding area aimed primarily at people aged 40 to 59 years, with regular local news, sport and information. Speech will be most concentrated during weekday peak times, with a music-intensive theme at other times. Liver FM Liverpool Local Radio Limited, Fairmead House, 49 Freshfield Road, Formby, Liverpool, L37 3HL Contact: David Maker Tel: 01704 832207 Email: david.maker@btinternet.com A rolling news and information and music service with Classic Rock and Classic Hits for a 35 plus audience. MerseyLife Merseylife Limited, CN Radio, PO Box 969, St George’s Quay, Lancaster, LA1 3LD Contact: Jon Hewson Tel: 07776 404040 Email: jon.hewson@cnradio.co.uk A locally-focused speech, information and music station aimed at Liverpool’s 45-64 year olds. Original 106 FM Original Liverpool FM Ltd, The New Boathouse, 136-142 Bramley Road, London, W10 6SR Contact: Peter Viner Tel: 020 7565 6600 Email: peter.viner@canwest.co.uk Adult Alternative Radio – an eclectic mix of adult-orientated music with particular ABC1 appeal, with 24 hour local news. Planet Rock Planet Rock Limited, 30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA Contact: Jane Wilson Tel: 020 7766 6863 Email: jane.wilson@gcapmedia.com A music based radio station catering for the community of interest that enjoys classic rock music from the 60s to today. RockTalk Liverpool RockTalk Liverpool, Sterling Court, Capitol Park, Leeds, WF3 1EL Contact: Jeff Stephenson Tel: 07710 073021 Email: jeff.stephenson@gmgradio.co.uk A speech and music service for 35-64 year olds which contains a strong commitment to local news, current affairs and interactive debate for the Liverpool area. Comprehensive local, national, world news and information is included, with a wide variety of rock music played during off-peak and bank holidays. Wicked FM UK Media and Radio Liverpool Ltd, 61 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6AX Contact: Mark Oliver Tel: 020 7313 5900 Email: mark.oliver@oando.co.uk A full service broad rock station for people 20 to 49 in the city of Liverpool and surrounding areas with local news and information with a mix of indie, alternative, guitar based Britpop and classic and soft rock music from the last 40 years with specialist rock shows during evenings and weekends. The full applications for this licence will be published on the Ofcom website shortly. Ofcom welcomes the views of the public about the local needs of listeners in this area and the type of service required. Opinions on these issues can either be emailed to commercialradio@ofcom.org.uk or posted to Neil Stock, Head of Radio Planning & Licensing, Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA. Please mark the envelope ‘Liverpool licence’. (more)

GCap expands ad policy to Planet Rock
From Media Guardian. Posted June 22 2006, 2.46pm
1.45pm: GCap Media is rolling out the 'no more than two ads in a row' policy it introduced to Capital Radio to its digital radio station, Planet Rock. by Julia Day. (more)

Planet Rock to get 2-ad policy
From Radio Today. Posted June 22 2006, 2.00pm
Planet Rock is the latest station to start broadcasting no more than two ads in a row, following on from Capital Radio last year. The new format will commence next Monday, following recent research conducted by Advertising Research Company Ipsos which has shown that ad effectiveness has improved by a substantial 38% on Capital Radio since the policy was introduced in January. GCap Media is confident that this same success will be replicated on Planet Rock. (more)

Alice Cooper for Breakfast
From Radio Today. Posted June 14 2006, 1.45pm
National DAB station Planet Rock has added to its armoury of rock star presenters, by signing up Alice Cooper. The heavy rock singer is renowned for his curious on-stage antics and hits such as ‘School’s Out’, ‘No More Mr Nice Guy’ and ‘Poison’. Starting from July, he’ll be presenting Planet Rock’s weekday breakfast show between 6-9am. The show will be beamed in from his home town of Phoenix, Arizona, specially for Planet Rock. Commenting on his new appointment, Alice Cooper says “I get to play all the stuff that doesn’t get played elsewhere… Who’d want to have breakfast with Alice Cooper. Can you imagine that?” And to make sure that listeners don’t miss the craziest moments, a special “best of” show will air every Sunday from 10am-1pm. (more)

Cooper lands breakfast show gig on Planet Rock
From Brand Republic. Posted June 12 2006, 12.06pm
LONDON - Radio network GCap Media has signed heavy metal pioneer Alice Cooper to helm the breakfast show on digital station Planet Rock as its permanent presenter. (more)

Emap claim digital success
From Radio Today. Posted May 11 2006, 6.00pm
It's all smiles at Emap's radio division after RAJAR results show that Magic 105.4 is London's biggest radio station with a reach extending 2% ahead of rivals including the recently re-launched Capital Radio and Heart 106.2. But the results also confirm a less talked about national success. The Hits, based alongside Key 103 in Manchester, have given a strong performance with 970,000 listeners nationwide - making it the nation's biggest digital-only station - ahead its nearest rival, GCap-owned Core with 110,000 listeners, as well as the Sony Radio Academy Awards' digital terrestrial station of the year, Planet Rock, which reaches 461,000 listeners weekly. (more)

100th turn-on for Digital One
From Radio Today. Posted April 21 2006, 2.30pm
The world's largest DAB digital radio network, operated by Digital One, turned on its 100th transmitter at Preseli in southwest Wales today. The Preseli transmitter brings national commercial DAB digital radio coverage to more than 140,000 people in the area. As a result, DAB digital radio owners will be able to start enjoying Planet Rock, Capital Life, Core, Oneword, Virgin Radio, Classic FM and talkSPORT. (more)

Rick says Yes to Planet Rock
From Radio Today. Posted March 24 2006, 12.00am
Renowned keyboard player Rick Wakeman has joined Digital station Planet Rock to present a weekly show called “Rick’s Place” every Saturday Morning at 10. Rick made his name with the world-famous progressive rock group Yes in the early 1970s. Whilst with Yes, he started releasing solo material including albums The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. You'll hear Rick telling tales of his exploits on the road and in the studio and find out about Rick’s musical relations in ‘The Wakeman Family Tree’. He’s also bound to have a good old moan! All mixed up with great music and some very special prizes – which recently included Rick giving away his tour bus on air! (more)