100.4 Jazz FM

Radio station


name=100.4 Jazz FM "(defunct)"
airdate= 1 September 1994
slogan=Get It On
frequency=100.4 MHz
area= North West (FM/DAB)
format = Jazz
owner = GMG Radio

100.4 Jazz FM (launched as JFM) was an independent local radio station for the North West playing jazz music. 100.4 Jazz FM played its own music from its Salford studio during the day, whereas specialist shows like "Dinner Jazz" and "Legends of Jazz" with Ramsey Lewis were networked from London's 102.2 Jazz FM. The station was replaced by Smooth FM 100.4 in 2004.

History

In 1993, Golden Rose Communications was awarded the regional FM licence for the North West, beating ten other applications for the licence. [cite web|url=http://www.amfm.org.uk/amfmnews/amfm12.html|title=AM/FM #12 — June 1993|last=Hebditch|first=Stephen|month=06|year=1993|publisher=TQM Communications] Jazz FM was launched as JFM on 1 September 1994 and broadcast from Exchange Quays, in Salford, England. It was originally known as JFM in order to try to appeal to more listeners who were put off by the "jazz" in Jazz FM. Jazz FM originally played a wide variety of jazz, pandering to more smooth jazz during the daytime to attract the 25-45 year old target market Jazz FM needed to make the station a success. The station before the rebrand, however, played more soul and softer R&B alongside jazz.

In 2003, the Guardian Media Group did extensive research into the type of music the listeners in the north-west wanted to listen to. They concluded that many people were put off by the name "jazz" in the station name. As a result, 100.4 Jazz FM closed on 13 February 2004 and relaunched as Smooth FM on 1 March 2004.

Smooth FM 100.4 relaunched as Smooth Radio 100.4 in March 2007 at the same time as London based 102.2 Smooth FM.

Return to the airwaves

On February 28, 2008 GMG Radio's chief executive John Myers made an announcement that Jazz FM would be brought back in the North West, London and the West Midlands on DAB. [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/23/commercialradio.radio|title=Ofcom tells Smooth Radio to keep jazz|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=2008-04-23|accessdate=2008-05-07|publisher=The Guardian] [cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a94468/gmg-to-press-ahead-with-jazz-fm-on-dab.html?rss|title=GMG to press ahead with Jazz FM on DAB|last=West|first=Dave|date=2008-04-23|accessdate=2008-05-07|publisher=Digital Spy] Myers also said that he believed it would make more sense for there to be a dedicated radio station for jazz listeners than the commitments to play jazz on Smooth Radio 100.4, as required by the licence granted to them by Ofcom.cite web|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3448634.ece|title=GMG in talks with Ofcom about Jazz FM return|last=Andrews|first=Amanda|date=2008-02-28|accessdate=2008-02-28|publisher=The Times] The closure of theJazz on Digital One was also part of the reason for the return of Jazz FM. [cite web|url=http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/FREE/556837529/1109/-/-/gmg-jazzes-up-digital-radio|title=GMG jazzes up digital radio|last=Chapelard|first=James|date=2008-02-28|accessdate=2008-02-28|publisher=Crain's Manchester Business] The relaunch of jazzfm.com, under a three year deal with The Local Radio Company happened on October 6, 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3703.2|title=Jazz FM relaunches October 6th|date=2008-08-13|accessdate=2008-08-13|publisher=Radio Today]

Former presenters on 100.4 Jazz FM

* Chris Best
* Steve Collins
* Andy Crane
* Paul Jones
* Martin Kelner
* Steve Quirk
* Richard Searling

ee also

* Smooth FM 100.4
* 102.2 Jazz FM
* 102.2 Smooth FM

References

External links

* [http://northwest.smoothfm.com/ 100.4 Smooth FM, which replaced 100.4 Jazz FM]
* [http://www.mediauk.com/the_knowledge/i.muk/100.4_JAZZFM Media UK article on 100.4 Jazz FM]
* [http://www.geocities.com/thehotw/aircheck_UKLancs.htm Aircheck UK article on Lancashire, Merseyside and the North West radio stations (includes information on 100.4 Jazz FM)]