Radio watchdogs have cleared Jazz FM of breaching the terms of its licence by playing too much soul and R&B and not enough jazz.
Fifteen complaints prompted an investigation of the station - which relaunched earlier this year. The complaints said that it was playlisting pop acts such as U2 and Gabrielle, and had moved too far away from its Jazz promise. Jazz's licence says that "at least half the music during daytime must sit well with the label 'jazz'. The rest will be drawn from, and fully reflect, the broader soul, blues, and R&B categories."
The Radio Authority investigation – conducted between 28 Feb and 4 Apr 2002 - concluded that Jazz FM was meeting the requirements set out in its station format. John Simons from the station's owner Guardian Media Group said he was "delighted" the radio authority had not found his company guilty of any breach of format.
Guardian Media Group, the stations new owners, tried to broaden the station's appeal to a wider audience. While the relaunch has helped the station build its listenership many avid jazz fans have been disappointed.