Not to be confused with the Yorkshire stations branded Classic Gold.
Classic Gold Digital Network was one of the biggest 'gold' (oldies) formatted radio networks in the United Kingdom, with a potential audience of 47 million. Classic Gold was broadcast on analogue and DAB digital platforms, as well as Sky channel 0189. The first stations were launched in 1988; the network grew to 18 stations and was merged into what became the Gold network in 2007.
Most of the stations were originally the medium wave services of Independent Local Radio stations. For example, "Classic Gold 1359" in Coventry was originally part of Mercia Sound and was a full local service. In the 1980s, FM/AM stations split (in this case to Mercia FM and Xtra AM), before the station was bought by GWR radio in 1993, and the AM station rebranded to "Classic Gold".
In 1998, Classic Gold in Northampton legally rebranded to Classic Gold 1557 Northamptonshire.
The stations were sold to UBC in two tranches in 2000 and 2002; however, in 2007 they came back under the control of GCap (formerly GWR & Capital). Most stations in the network carried the same programming, except for a local 4-hour afternoon programme from 3pm to 7pm.
Additionally, the AM service operated by UTV Radio in West Yorkshire, Pulse Classic Gold, carried programming supplied by the Classic Gold network (with additional localisation and programmes), although it was not owned by UBC.
In summer 2007, GCap Media agreed to acquire the 18 AM Classic Gold radio stations owned by Classic Gold Digital for a cash consideration of £3.95 million. GCap merged the network with its own Capital Gold network of stations to form one classic hits network. The acquisition, which included relevant DAB digital licences held by Classic Gold, was approved by Ofcom. The new network rebranded as 'Gold' launched at 7pm on Friday 3 August 2007.[1]
Programmes
Weekdays
Classic Gold's Even Tastier Breakfast with Tony Blackburn and Laura Frey
In addition, until 1 December 2008, the UTV Radio-owned Pulse Classic Gold in West Yorkshire broadcast programming supplied by the network, with additional localisation and programmes specific to West Yorkshire. This station relaunched as Pulse 2, a completely local station before closing in August 2020 to become Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire.
References
^Farey-Jones, Daniel (25 July 2007). "GCap to launch new look Gold network". Campaign. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
External links
, archived on 2 January 2007
January 31, 2023
classic, gold, digital, network, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, j. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Classic Gold Digital Network news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message Not to be confused with the Yorkshire stations branded Classic Gold Classic Gold Digital Network was one of the biggest gold oldies formatted radio networks in the United Kingdom with a potential audience of 47 million Classic Gold was broadcast on analogue and DAB digital platforms as well as Sky channel 0189 The first stations were launched in 1988 the network grew to 18 stations and was merged into what became the Gold network in 2007 Contents 1 History 2 Programmes 3 Presenters 4 Past presenters 5 Regional stations 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditMost of the stations were originally the medium wave services of Independent Local Radio stations For example Classic Gold 1359 in Coventry was originally part of Mercia Sound and was a full local service In the 1980s FM AM stations split in this case to Mercia FM and Xtra AM before the station was bought by GWR radio in 1993 and the AM station rebranded to Classic Gold In 1998 Classic Gold in Northampton legally rebranded to Classic Gold 1557 Northamptonshire The stations were sold to UBC in two tranches in 2000 and 2002 however in 2007 they came back under the control of GCap formerly GWR amp Capital Most stations in the network carried the same programming except for a local 4 hour afternoon programme from 3pm to 7pm Additionally the AM service operated by UTV Radio in West Yorkshire Pulse Classic Gold carried programming supplied by the Classic Gold network with additional localisation and programmes although it was not owned by UBC In summer 2007 GCap Media agreed to acquire the 18 AM Classic Gold radio stations owned by Classic Gold Digital for a cash consideration of 3 95 million GCap merged the network with its own Capital Gold network of stations to form one classic hits network The acquisition which included relevant DAB digital licences held by Classic Gold was approved by Ofcom The new network rebranded as Gold launched at 7pm on Friday 3 August 2007 1 Programmes EditWeekdays Classic Gold s Even Tastier Breakfast with Tony Blackburn and Laura Frey The Morning Show with Graham Rogers The Afternoon Show with Paul Burnett Classic Gold Drivetime local opt out programme Classic Gold Evening Show with Paul Baker Classic Gold Late Night with Tim Allen The Overnight Express with Matthew HardyWeekends included The Retro Countdown with Mark Dennison Classic Gold Albums with Trevor Dann Neil Sean s Star People Saturday Night At The Movies with Steve Springett The Essential Tony BlackburnPresenters EditLaura Frey Paul Burnett Gary Crowley Trevor DannPast presenters EditTony Blackburn Jimmy Savile deceased Dave Lee Travis Johnnie Walker Mike Read Noddy Holder from Slade David Hamilton Simon Bates Emperor Rosko Chris Hawkins John SuchetRegional stations EditThese were the 20 stations in the Classic Gold Digital Network on 3 August 2007 Classic Gold 1152 Plymouth Classic Gold 1260 Bristol and Bath Classic Gold 1332 Peterborough Classic Gold 1359 Coventry and Warwickshire Classic Gold 1359 1431 Essex Classic Gold 1431 1485 Reading Classic Gold 1521 Reigate and Crawley Classic Gold 1557 Northampton Classic Gold 666 954 Exeter and Torbay Classic Gold 774 Gloucester Classic Gold 828 Bournemouth Classic Gold 828 792 Hertfordshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire Classic Gold 936 1161 Swindon and West Wiltshire Classic Gold 990 1017 Wolverhampton Shrewsbury and Telford Classic Gold Amber Norfolk and north Suffolk Classic Gold Amber Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds Classic Gold Digital Humberside Lancashire Leeds London Merseyside Sheffield Teesside amp Tyne amp Wear on DAB it also broadcast on Sky Digital Channel 0189 Classic Gold GEM Nottingham and Derby Classic Gold Marcher Wrexham and ChesterIn addition until 1 December 2008 the UTV Radio owned Pulse Classic Gold in West Yorkshire broadcast programming supplied by the network with additional localisation and programmes specific to West Yorkshire This station relaunched as Pulse 2 a completely local station before closing in August 2020 to become Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire References Edit Farey Jones Daniel 25 July 2007 GCap to launch new look Gold network Campaign Retrieved 22 December 2018 External links EditOfficial website archived on 2 January 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Classic Gold Digital Network amp oldid 1135244502, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
