GWR FM

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GWR FM was a network of three radio stations in the south west of England broadcasting to Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and surrounding areas. All three stations were rebranded and joined the Heart Network on 23 March 2009. [1] [2]

Contents

GWR FM
Broadcast area Bristol, Bath, and Wiltshire
Frequency
Programming
Format Hot Adult Contemporary
Ownership
OwnerGWR FM Group. Then GCap Media.

The stations in the network were:

History

The GWR Radio brand started life in 1985 when Swindon-based Wiltshire Radio joined with Bristol's Radio West. [3]

The Mix Network

In 1992 a re-launch of the station saw The New GWR-FM become the hub of what was The Mix Network, a network of radio stations owned by the GWR Group (later GCap Media ) covering southern England and Wales. The radio station created a tightly formatted sound where popular Top 40 chart hits were blended with older hits. This led to its "Better Music Mix" format which was then utilised on other radio stations within the GWR Group, including Essex FM, Trent FM and Beacon Radio, creating a mini national network.

Each station within the Mix Network played a centrally produced playlist. Songs were broadcast almost at the same time as neighbouring group stations and each station adopted the "Better Music Mix" tagline which was announced by local presenters in between the music. Following the introduction of the Mix Network some programming, such as Late Night Love and The Request Fest, was syndicated across the whole network from the GWR Bristol studios.

Notable Presenters

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References

  1. AUTHOR: Andrew Rogers. "RW + WR = GWR". Transdiffusion. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  2. Donovan, Paul. The Radio Companion. ISBN   978-0-586-09012-1.
  3. "GWR: a brief history". the Guardian. 2004-09-29. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  4. "Tributes pour in for popular former GWR presenter Dave Barrett". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  5. "BBC Wiltshire presenter Sandy Martin dies". BBC News. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2022-08-27.