History of capital radio

Radio stations

History
Capital radio was first launched 16th October 1973 in London where
it was the country’s second commercial radio station. Richard
Attenborough was the first broadcaster on the station, which burst
into life just a week after the London Broadcasting Company, now
known as LBC.
The industry quickly expanded and there were 19 stations covering
most big cities in the UK by 1976.
In the late 1980’s, Capital Radio changed its on-air identities to 95.8
Capital FM, playing contemporary hit music and 1548 AM Capital
Gold, playing classic songs.
Today, Capital FM is London’s most listened to radio station with 2.1
million people tuning in each week and over the past 7 years Capital
has added a further 19 stations, including BRMB FM and Xtra AM in
Birmingham, Fox FM in Oxford, Red Dragon FM and Touch Radio in
south wales and Xfm in London.
In May 2000, Capital finalised its acquisition of Border Television,
which added 3 radio stations to the company portfolio- the century
group in the North West, the North East and the East Midlands.
Capital radio sold the Border Television ITV licence to Granada in July
2001.
The following month, Capital acquired Glasgow- based Beat 106 and
in October 2001 took steps to strengthen its position in London by
grabbing a 19% share in the urban contemporary music station
choice FM. In March 2004, it brought the remaining 81% stake
choice.
Capital had an unsuccessful foray in to the catering business Capital
Radio restaurants in 1996 but by October 1999 its Havana chain was
sold and the radio cafes were integrated into the radio business.
It launched the Wildstar record label in 1996 in a joint venture with
Telstar Records, and around the same time Capital set up its Capital
Interactive business to create websites to support its radio stations.
Capital Interactive has since been integrated into the radio business.
In 1999, Capital entered the digital radio arena, winning licences for
a national service 'Life', which launched in January 2000. Capital now
has 57 local services across the UK. Many of these local services are
provided by the alternative music station Xfm, which Capital is
building into a national digital network.
Commercial or PBS
Capital is a commercial radio station meaning it is run to make a
profit, which is made through adverts and sponsorships.
Adverts
Capital’s adverts tend to be mainstream adverts that
advertise products, services and events from the local area,
which are well known, to benefit their audience and suit their
audience’s interests. They do this because they are a
commercial station, so they would benefit from this.
Examples: Tv shows, movies, shops such as Tesco, websites
such as amazon and services that would appeal to most
people who listen to capital FM such as car insurance.
Capitals target audience is mainly a younger audience, so the
adverts would typically attract younger listeners.
Why capital FM radio?
I have chosen capital FM radio because I think this station
would be the best radio station to advertise my documentary
‘Pushing Perfection to the limit’ about beauty and how
appearance effects everyone. I think capital is best because it
would have more chance of being advertised on capital in
comparison to radio 1 because radio 1 mainly only advertises
their own events.
Moreover, capitals target audience is 14-34 which would
benefit me because this is a very similar age range that I have
targeted, therefore I want my documentary to be advertised
to this target audience because this is audience I want to
attract.
Also, as previously shown Capital broadcasts to many
locations which would gain national recognition across the
UK, which would gain more viewers, so my documentary can
inform and educate a wider audience.