GCap Media: landmarks
Landmarks
This chronology is indicative only. It covers -
Sponsored links
- beginnings (1973)
- consolidation (1994)
- digital (1998)
- GCap (2005)
Context is provided by the broader communications and media timeline on this site.
Beginnings
1973 Capital Radio launched as commercial radio station
1982 GWR originates as Wiltshire Radio
1985 merger of Wiltshire Radio and Radio West in Bristol as GWR
1988 GWR splits frequencies, creating Brunel Radio in Wiltshire and Bristol Radio on AM frequency
1989 GWR Radio merges with Consolidated Radio Holdings
1992 takes 17% stake in Classic FM
Consolidation
1993 Capital Radio Group buys BRMB FM and Xtra AM in Birmingham
1994 buys seven stations across UK South Coast, including Invicta FM, Power FM, Ocean FM and Southern FM
1994 GWR absorbs Midlands Radio
1994 buys Mid Anglia Radio
1995 absorbs Chiltern Radio Group
1996 GWR buys remaining 83% of Classic FM
1996 GWR buys stake in UK radio broadcaster LNR from Reuters in partnership with DMGT and ITN
1996 Capital buys Oxford's Fox Fm
1996 Capital joint venture with Telstar to create Wildstar Records
1996 Capital acquires My Kinda Town (renamed Capital Radio Restaurants, with Radio Cafe and Havana chains)
1997 GWR buys East Anglian Radio and two more stations in Hereford and Worcester
1998 Capital acquires Red Dragon FM from EMAP
1998 buys Touch Radio in South Wales and 104.9 XFM in London
Digital
1998 GWR forms Digital One consortium in successful bid for national digital multiplex licence (service launched 1999)
1999 Planet Rock, Core and Classic FM begin broadcasting as UK's first national digital radio services
1999 Capital restructures Capital Radio Restaurants, sells Havana chain
1999 GWR buys Orchard FM, Gemini FM, Westward Radio (later Classic Gold 666/954) and Lantern FM
1999 GWR buys Plymouth Sound
1999 Capital wins licence for 'Life' UK digital radio service
1999 Capital and EMAP forms CE Digital consortium and win first local multiplex licence in London
2000 Capital acquires Century group of stations through £146m takeover of Border Television
2000 Capital buys Central Scotland's Beat 106 for £33m
2000 GWR acquires DMG Radio from DMGT
2000 GWR buys Marcher Radio
2001 Digital Radio Group (in which GWR has 20% stake) awarded third digital radio multiplex for London region
2001 Capital buys 19% share in urban contemporary music station Choice FM
2001 sells Border ITV licence to Granada
2002 launch of Classic FM TV 24/7 classical music video channel
2002 GWR launches Summer XS summer pop concerts
2002 DMGT buys GWR's Australian broadcast interests for £35m
2002 Capital buys and rebrands 'Big AM' in Manchester
2004 GWR launches Hear It Buy It Burn It music download service
2004 Capital buys remaining 81% stake in Choice
GCap
2005 merger of Capital and GWR as GCap Media
2005 sells 106 Century FM to Chrysalis Radio Holdings for £29.5m
2006 sells Century regional radio stations in Manchester and Gateshead to GMG for £60m