Smooth Radio (2010)
105.2 Smooth Radio in Scotland produced its own breakfast and drivetime shows, but carried networked programming at other times.
Presenters on the network included Emma B, Simon Bates, Tony Blackburn, Mark Goodier, David Jensen and Chris Tarrant.
It broadcast occasional documentaries on subjects relating to music, news and media events; some of these won the station radio industry awards.
Along with its sister station, Real Radio, Smooth was an official host of the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on ceremony from 2010, and staged regular, free live music events.
The station signed a number of sponsorship deals with companies such as Tetley Tea and ATS Euromaster, and held annual fundraising events in aid of the charities Help for Heroes and Macmillan Cancer Support.
London station 102.2 Jazz FM was launched on 4 March 1990 with a concert performed by Ella Fitzgerald at the Royal Albert Hall.
[8][9][10] On 20 October 2006, GMG Radio announced that it was requesting a change of format for 102.2 and 100.4 Smooth FM from Ofcom, to remove the stations' daytime soul and R&B licence commitments.
[11][12] Ofcom approved the changes on 8 December 2006, with the condition that GMG retained the 45 hours of jazz per week that constituted part of the former licence requirement.
[13] As a result of the format change and to distance the station from its London rivals Magic and Heart 106.2, GMG Radio agreed that a minimum of 20% of its daytime music output would be over 40 years old.
[24] The decrease of local output lead to criticism from Norman Quirk, the former managing director of Saga 105.2 FM in Glasgow, after GMG Radio dismissed six Scottish presenters in August 2008 in favour of increased networked content from its stations in London and Manchester.
[33] The station was warmly received by listeners, and in January 2012 GMG Radio confirmed a deal with US syndication firm Premiere Networks to air 1970s editions of the American Top 40 show presented by Casey Kasem, which would be broadcast at weekends.
[41] The deal prompted speculation about the possible disappearance of the Smooth Radio brand as a result of a possible merger with Global's Gold network, which was aimed at a similar audience.
It was announced that in the short term GMG Radio and Global would continue to operate as separate entities while a review of the sale was carried out by Ofcom.
[55][56][c] Under a franchising agreement between the two firms, these stations would retain the Smooth Radio name, but relaunch airing a mixture of both regional content and networked programming from London.
We firmly believe Smooth has the potential to become the UK's biggest national commercial station and these figures show it's heading in the right direction!
[83] In August 2011, GMG announced a deal with the magazine publisher IPC whereby Smooth Radio would sponsor the TV Times Awards.
[85] High Street retailer Boots UK launched The Feel Good Forum, a health and beauty lifestyle programme that began airing for an eight-week run on Real and Smooth from March 2013.
[86] In July 2013, Real and Smooth secured a deal with the organisers of the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be the Official Media Partner for its Ticketing Campaign.
[98] In September 2011, Simon Bates presented a week of programmes from South Australia as part of a promotion in which the station gave away a holiday to the state.
He was given special access to the vessel and spoke to the boat's owner, Philip Morrell and to composer Debbie Wiseman who was commissioned to write the music for the event.
[108] The annual event was compered by presenters from the two stations at a purposely-built arena, and featured a music concert by popular artists.
[109] Performers in 2010 included Alesha Dixon,[108] Gabriella Cilmi, The Wanted, Olly Murs,[110] and Robbie Williams, who switched on the lights that year.
[111] The 2012 switch-on was performed by Greg Rutherford, Luke Campbell and Beth Tweddle—British Olympians who won gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
[30][113] Featured artists included Adele, Beverley Knight, Eliza Doolittle,[30] Katie Melua, Will Young, Nell Bryden, Honey Ryder,[113] Paul Carrack, The Pierces, Roachford,[30] Jack Savoretti and Leddra Chapman.
[116] In December 2012 Real and Smooth secured exclusive broadcast rights to the "Christmas Hit Factory Live" concert, a show featuring artists and groups who achieved success with the Stock Aitken and Waterman and PWL record labels.
[119] The 18-hour special featured Ronan Keating, Simon Cowell, Spandau Ballet and The Soldiers, and Chris Tarrant returned to the network for the event.
[121] During the fundraising event "Smooth Radio Starlight Supper", listeners were encouraged to hold dinner parties at which guests donated money to a cancer charity.
[122] The event began in 2010 when the six stations in the Smooth network raised money for Breast Cancer Care in London, Macmillan Cancer Support in the North West, North East and West Midlands, the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in the East Midlands and Marie Curie's Big Build in Glasgow.
[132] In November 2012, Smooth confirmed it would air a documentary celebrating the life of Dusty Springfield over the Christmas period to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of her debut as a solo artist.
[133] In January 2013, a Saturday programme dedicated to films and a regular documentary slot for Sunday afternoons were announced as part of an overhaul of the station's schedule.
