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Quidem confirms its Midland’s stations will relaunch as Capital FM
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 29 November 2019
It’s been confirmed that the Midlands-based local radio stations owned by media firm Quidem will become part of Global’s Capital FM network from next week. Quidem and Global did a deal earlier this year that allows the former to utilise the latter’s brands and content on the frequencies that it currently operates as Touch FM, Banbury Sound and Rugby FM.
Doing so will alter the output on those radio stations, which needed approval from media regulator OfCom. That approval was given earlier this month, with OfCom announcing that it had given the all-clear for Quidem’s plans to switch its stations to “a rhythmic-based music-led service for 15-29 year olds supplemented with news, information and entertainment”. Which sounded very much like Capital FM.
Earlier this week the Twitter feeds of Quidem’s stations confirmed this by stating: “From Monday, [we] will be becoming Capital; The UK’s No 1 Hit Music Station! Join Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp and Ollie & Si on Drive to hear the biggest hits, all day long from the world’s hottest stars. Our new home will be @CapitalOfficial”
Following that announcement, a spokesperson for Global told RadioToday: “Global has entered into a brand licensing agreement with Quidem Group, which owns Touch FM, Banbury Sound and Rugby FM. From 6am on Monday these stations will rebrand as Capital. This brand licence is an exciting opportunity for Capital and we look forward to welcoming new listeners across the Midlands”.
It’s not the first time Global has extended the reach of its quasi-national radio networks by doing licensing deals with a rival radio company. Irish media firm Communicorp utilises Global brands Capital, Heart and Smooth on a number of the UK FM frequencies that it controls.
This networking of programmes even between rival broadcasters demonstrates the challenges for the local radio industry that needs to keep its operating costs to the minimum as it increasingly competes with online services for both audience and advertisers.
