Media UK

Network Chart Show

The Network Chart show was a programme made for the commercial radio network by the CRCA, and was probably the first networked programme on commercial radio. It launched in October 1984 and, "in its first six months on air it virtually doubled ILR's Sunday afternoon audience" (IBA Television and Radio Yearbook 1986).

The first sponsor of the Network Chart was coffee-maker Nescafé - with David Jensen as the presenter. The programme was originally networked from Capital Radio's studios using the IRN landlines that fed news to every radio station; these landlines were mono, and normally fed from LBC (who produced IRN at the time). The Network Chart lasted from 5pm to 7pm every Sunday, up against Radio 1, but using a chart produced by a different company than the 'official' chart - leading, on occasions, to two different number one songs. Promos were also scheduled during the week - David 'Kid' Kensen occasionally, and memorably, starting the promo "Hi! Chart fans!"

In the early 1990s, satellite distribution company SMS began broadcasting the chart in stereo, enabling stations to ditch the slightly woolly sound of the IRN landline and switch to a higher-quality stereo feed. Because the advance of distribution meant that IRN didn't stop for two hours, the chart was extended, optionally, for radio stations who wished to take an extra hour from 4pm. This hour contained local advertising; the main show from 5-7pm had national advertising only.

The Network Chart was produced in advance. Links were played out as live, between the records. On one occasion, during the additional hour, listeners were treated to around two minutes of the Network Chart bed as a result of technical problems.

The Nescafé sponsorship came to a close in 1992, and a re-branded chart show, with a new presenter, was launched in July 1993: the Pepsi Chart.