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Smooth Radio (2014)
Smooth Radio (2014)
Smooth Radio (2014)
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Smooth Radio is a network of local radio stations broadcasting on FM and DAB in the United Kingdom. It no longer broadcasts any outlets on AM since the last outlet on medium wave ceased at 1:00pm on Friday 28th February 2025. Smooth Radio previously featured a soft adult contemporary radio format but has introduced more upbeat music since 2023. Launched in March 2014, it replaced the national Smooth Radio that had launched in 2010 on FM and DAB, and most outlets of Gold on AM.

Key Information

Each FM station broadcasts localised breakfast with networked shows simulcast from London at all other times. Four of the seven FM stations, and the former AM stations, are owned and operated by Global, with the remaining three FM licences owned by Communicorp UK and run as a franchise.

According to RAJAR, the network broadcasts to a combined weekly audience of 7.8 million with a listening share of 4.1% as of July 2025.[2]

In January 2023, Smooth introduced a new logo and slogan, "Always the best music".[3]

Background and History

[edit]
For further information on the background to the current network, see 102.2 Jazz FM, 102.2 Smooth FM, and Smooth Radio (2010).

Having previously operated under a number of regional licences, Smooth Radio's owners, GMG Radio, merged its five English stations into one quasi-national station, launching the brand on the Digital One national DAB network on 4 October 2010. Most of the output was broadcast from Salford Quays in Manchester, with other programming coming from Castlereagh Street in London.[4]

On 25 June 2012, GMG Radio's owners, Guardian Media Group, sold its radio division to Global at an estimated price of between £50 million and £70 million.[5][6][a] Global renamed GMG Radio "Real and Smooth Radio Ltd."[8] Several rival radio groups expressed their concerns over the takeover and the effect it could have on commercial radio in the UK.[9] Ofcom launched a review of the sale, and it was announced that GMG Radio and Global would continue to operate as separate entities while the review was conducted.[10] On 3 August the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt instructed Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to examine Global's purchase of GMG, which gave Global over 50% of the UK radio market because of concerns the takeover may not be in the public interest.[11] On 11 October, the OFT concluded that the merger could lead to a rise in local advertising costs because of the decrease in competitors, and forwarded the matter to the Competition Commission, which oversees business mergers and takeovers.[12] On the same day the Competition Commission announced it would publish its findings into the takeover by 27 March 2013.[13]

The Competition Commission published its final report into the acquisition on 21 May 2013, requiring Global to sell radio stations in seven locations.[14][b] Global appealed the decision, but this was rejected by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in November.[15] Global announced in December that it would not contest the decision, and would instead begin the process of selling the assets as directed by the commission.[16] On 4 February 2014, the Radio Today website reported that Ofcom had given Global permission to remove Smooth from the Digital One platform, and to replace it with a service playing music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s.[17] Under this agreement, Smooth would continue to broadcast on its regional frequencies, but would be required to provide seven hours of local output per day.[17] On 6 February, Global confirmed the sale of eight of its regional stations—including those with the Smooth Radio brand in the North West, North East and East Midlands—to the Irish media holdings company Communicorp.[18][19][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. Smooth would also take over Gold's medium wave frequencies, except in London, Manchester and the East Midlands.[19][20][21] Global announced later that month that Smooth would be relaunched on 3 March,[22] and subsequently confirmed the Gold changes would take effect from 24 March, when the stations would begin simulcasting with Smooth Radio London.[23] This also coincided with the return of local programming at breakfast and drivetime.[24]

On 5 March 2018, Global added the former Lakeland Radio station to the network as Smooth Lake District following its purchase from the CN Group for an undisclosed fee.[25]

Local weekend afternoon programming ended on 25 August 2019. Angie Greaves was announced as the new host of the national Smooth Drive Home, which began broadcasting on 2 September.[26]

In October 2020, the AM frequencies which carried Smooth Radio in Cardiff and Newport were switched off because the site from which they are transmitted was being redeveloped,[27] and the following month, Smooth Radio switched off its mediumwave frequencies in Luton and Bedford.[28]

On 30 June 2023, Global switched off the AM frequencies which carried Smooth in Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Plymouth, with Sussex following suit three months later. All these localised versions of Smooth are continuing on DAB.[29] In late April 2024, the Hampshire and Kent medium wave frequencies were also switched off[30] and it was announced that the North Wales and Cheshire relay would follow later in 2024.[31] This frequency was finally switched off on 28 February 2025, by which time it was the last medium wave frequency operated by either Global or Bauer, the two main commercial radio companies in the UK.[32]

Smooth stations in England ended local and regional programming on 21 February 2025. Scotland and Wales retain their respective local programming.[33][34][35]

Current notable presenters

[edit]

List of Smooth Radio stations

[edit]

The Smooth network comprises 24 stations:[37]

Stations across the UK

[edit]

FM stations produced and broadcast local programming from their own studios from 6-10am weekdays until 21 February 2025. The former AM stations carried networked programming from London. Before its closure, the last remaining AM station in Wales carried networked programming content as broadcast from London, with the exception of a local opt-out programme from noon to 4pm on weekdays, as it had done under Gold. The FM stations are largely also carried on DAB. Digital TV platforms carry the Smooth UK version of Smooth, also now transmitted nationwide on Digital One in DAB+ – this carries the network programming output of Smooth London at all times, with national news and advertising.

FM radio stations

[edit]
FM stations
Station FM DAB
Smooth East Midlands (franchise) 97.2, 101.4, 106.6, 106.8 & 107.4 10B (Derby)
11B (Leicester)
12C (Notts)
Smooth Lake District 100.1, 100.8 & 101.4 11B (North Lancs and South Cumbria)
Smooth London 102.2 12C (London)
Smooth North East (franchise) 97.5, 101.2, 107.5 & 107.7 11B (Teesside)
11C (Tyne & Wear)
Smooth North West (franchise) 100.4 (North West, North Wales and parts of West Yorkshire excluding Leeds) 10C (Liverpool)
12A (Lancashire)
12C (Manchester)
Smooth Scotland 105.2 (Glasgow and The West) 11C Glasgow
12D Edinburgh
Smooth West Midlands 105.7 11B (Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Telford)
11C (Birmingham)
12D (Coventry)

The Smooth AM frequencies in Peterborough and Northampton, which had switched from Gold to Smooth as part of the 2014 reallocation, reverted to carrying Gold programming in 2019 as a result of Communicorp's relaunch of Connect FM as part of Smooth East Midlands.[38]

The AM transmitters serving Wiltshire, Dorset, Plymouth, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex ceased broadcasting on 30 June 2023, alongside the Gold network transmitters in the Midlands and East, and Smooth's AM transmissions in Sussex ceased three months later. Medium wave transmissions in Hampshire and Kent ceased in late April 2024, and those in North Wales and Cheshire were planned at the time to end later in 2024, but ceased broadcasting at 1:00pm on Friday 28th February 2025.[39] In most of the affected areas, transmission of Smooth via alternate means, such as DAB, has continued.

DAB (former AM areas)

[edit]

In several areas, local Smooth services have ceased transmitting on AM (usually due to the closure of transmitter sites) but continued to be provided on digital radio. These variants, being the siblings of Heart/Capital stations which remain available on FM, continue to follow the AM model of localised advertising and information alongside networked programming content, rather than taking Smooth UK as heard in other areas served only via digital radio.

  • Smooth Berkshire and North Hampshire – was on 1431 and 1485 AM (switched off 15 May 2015)[40]
  • Smooth Bristol and Bath – was on 1260 AM (switched off 10 February 2016)
  • Smooth Herts, Beds and Bucks – was on 792 and 828 AM (switched off 2 November 2020)
  • Smooth South Wales – was on 1305 and 1359 AM (switched off 12 October 2020)
  • Smooth North Wales and Cheshire – was on 1260 AM (switched off 28 February 2025)
  • Smooth Dorset - was on 828 AM (switched off 29 June 2023)
  • Smooth Essex - was on 1359/1431 AM (switched off 28 June 2023)
  • Smooth Gloucester - was on 774 AM (switched off 28 June 2023)
  • Smooth Hampshire - was on 1170 / 1557 AM (switched off late April 2024)
  • Smooth Kent - was on 603 and 1242 AM (switched off late April 2024)
  • Smooth Norfolk - was on 1152 AM (switched off 28 June 2023)
  • Smooth Suffolk - was on 1170 and 1251 AM (switched off 27 June 2023)
  • Smooth Sussex - was on 945 and 1323 AM (switched off 30 September 2023)
  • Smooth Plymouth - was on 1152 AM (switched off 29 June 2023)
  • Smooth Wiltshire - was on 936 and 1161 AM (switched off 30 June 2023)

In addition, the former Gold in Exeter/Torbay, which continued to operate on DAB after the closure of its AM transmission, transitioned to Smooth with the rest of the AM network in 2014.

Smooth UK

[edit]
  • DAB+ via Digital One (11D/12A) and Digi-Can TF (8A)
  • Digital TV – Sky 0128, Virgin Media 916, Freeview 718, Freesat 732

Sister stations

[edit]

Smooth Country

[edit]

A country music radio station which, having launched as an online stream through Global Player and the Smooth website in March 2019, was established as a broadcast radio service[41] on 3 September 2019. It has a presented weekday daytime show (hosted at launch by Eamonn Kelly, who also presents on Smooth Radio) and the service was added to a number of local DAB multiplexes, replacing The Arrow in London, Chill in the East Midlands, and Gold elsewhere.

Smooth Chill

[edit]
Main article: Smooth Chill (UK radio station)

This mellow and chillout music service launched on 3 September 2019,[42] replacing Chill in the Global portfolio. The station is available in the DAB+ format in London, and was made available online through Global Player (which had not carried the prior Chill service) and the Smooth Radio website, with the Chill URL redirected to point to the Smooth site. The station re-launched nationally on 8 April 2020 on Digital One, broadcasting in 32kbps DAB+.[43]

Smooth Relax

[edit]

Following the conversion of Classic FM to DAB+ the prior week, capacity became available for the addition to Digital One on 8 January 2024 of a new soft adult contemporary service under the Smooth network.[44] Smooth Relax reuses the format and slogan of "Your relaxing music mix", previously used by the main Smooth Radio network before its transition into playing a broader range of classic hits in the "Always the best music" era.

Smooth 70s

[edit]

Launched on 12 September 2024 alongside Smooth 80s and Smooth Soul, Smooth 70s follows the same soft adult-contemporary format as Smooth Radio, but instead exclusively music from the 1970s era. The station has no presenters and broadcasts a 24/7, automated output.

Smooth 80s

[edit]

Launched on 12 September 2024 alongside Smooth 70s and Smooth Soul, Smooth 80s follows the same soft adult-contemporary format as Smooth Radio, but instead exclusively plays music from the 1980s era. The station broadcasts a mostly automated output, with a weekday breakfast show being hosted by Smooth West Midlands breakfast host, Nigel Freshman.[45]

Smooth Soul

[edit]

Launched on 12 September 2024 alongside Smooth 70s and Smooth 80s, Smooth Soul is a station dedicated to Soul music. The station has no presenters and broadcasts a 24/7, automated output.

Smooth Extra

[edit]

Smooth Radio also operated Smooth Extra, with the slogan Your Refreshing Music Mix. The station transmitted its own non-stop music output from 10am to 6pm every day, and relayed Smooth London at other times.

Smooth Extra launched in December 2014 as a result of the removal of the prior network Smooth service from Digital One (during November and December the slot had been used for Smooth Christmas). Originally broadcast in mono in the traditional DAB format, Smooth Extra and Heart Extra switched to stereo DAB+ transmission in summer 2019, enabling the addition of Gold and Heart Dance to the Digital One multiplex in the released capacity.

Smooth Extra was also broadcast on the Sky satellite TV system (channel 0146) from 1 October 2015, taking over the slot from The Arrow (which had itself replaced Real Radio there the year before, due to Real Radio stations becoming Heart). Smooth Extra was replaced by Heart Dance on Sky on 7 October 2019.

Smooth Extra closed at midnight on Thursday 12 March 2020 (along with Heart Extra) and was replaced with a national feed of Smooth on Digital One.[46]

Smooth Christmas

[edit]

Originally launched on DAB during the weeks preceding Christmas 2011, Smooth Christmas was a pop-up sister station launched by GMG,[47] and was replaced by Smooth 70s at the end of December.[48] Smooth Christmas returned to the Digital One multiplex as a stablemate of Smooth Radio and Smooth 70s in the lead up to Christmas 2012.[49]

On 25 September 2024, Smooth Christmas was relaunched by Global, and made available on Global Player. It was launched alongside Heart Xmas, also a Global station dedicated to playing Christmas music. On the day of their launch, the Radio Today website described the difference between the stations: "Heart Xmas is more Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé whilst Smooth Radio, playing 'Always the Best Christmas Music', is more Elton John and Slade."[50]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Smooth Radio (2014)

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Smooth Radio (2014) denotes the restructured network of regional commercial radio stations in the , broadcasting and on FM and DAB platforms, primarily aimed at listeners aged over 40. The relaunch occurred in March 2014 following Global Radio's acquisition of GMG Radio, requiring the introduction of local breakfast and drivetime shows to comply with Competition Commission remedies addressing local market competition concerns. This shift ended the prior national digital feed, emphasizing regional content while retaining networked programming for other hours, with a focus on greatest hits from the 1960s onward. The revamp featured new on-air talent such as and , alongside the departure of veteran presenter from the breakfast slot, aiming to refresh the station's appeal amid ownership changes. Operated under a franchise agreement post-merger, the stations maintained the Smooth brand while integrating into Global's portfolio, contributing to sustained popularity in the format without notable controversies tied to the restructuring.

History

Origins Prior to 2014 Relaunch

Smooth FM launched on 2 March 2004 in on 100.4 FM, rebranding GMG Radio's former Jazz FM North West station into a soft contemporary format emphasizing music such as and , targeted at listeners aged 35 and older seeking relaxing daytime programming. The station's playlist prioritized melodic tracks from artists like for its debut, aiming to fill a gap in the market for non-aggressive, familiarity-driven content amid competition from public broadcasters. GMG Radio expanded the Smooth brand by acquiring Saga Radio's stations in early 2007, rebranding them as Smooth Radio outlets in regions including London, the North East, and South Coast, thereby creating a loose network of six stations while retaining local opt-outs for regional relevance. This growth occurred as GMG faced mounting financial strains from synergies between its declining print media (The Guardian and Observer) and radio operations proving insufficient to offset losses, prompting asset sales to streamline focus on core publishing. In June 2012, GMG divested its entire radio division, including the Smooth and Real networks, to Global Radio for an estimated £70 million, a transaction scrutinized by Ofcom and the Competition Commission but ultimately approved to preserve commercial viability without harming public interest in diverse radio services. Prior to the relaunch under Global ownership, Smooth Radio's format evolved through incremental tweaks, including Ofcom-approved shifts in 2006-2007 to broaden music scope beyond strict jazz remnants toward lighter adult contemporary selections, fostering greater overlap with BBC Radio 2's broad-appeal by incorporating more mainstream pop classics from the 1960s-1990s while experimenting with partially networked shows to cut costs and standardize output across stations. These adjustments emphasized melodic, low-energy tracks to retain the over-40 demographic, with occasional high-profile voices in select slots, though local presenters dominated to comply with licensing requirements for community ties, setting for fuller national synchronization amid intensifying rivalry for older listeners' time.

2014 Relaunch and Initial Rollout

In March 2014, Global Radio relaunched Smooth Radio as a unified network of regional adult contemporary stations, transitioning from its prior primarily national medium wave service to expanded FM and DAB coverage across multiple licenses acquired through the earlier purchase of GMG Radio assets. This relaunch on 3 March consolidated branding on stations previously operating under varied local formats, including former Real Radio music outlets and Gold AM services, to create a cohesive nationwide presence while complying with competition remedies that involved selling select licenses to Communicorp UK for continued Smooth operation under franchise agreements. The initial format emphasized soft , focusing on popular hits from the through the 2000s, positioned as a calmer alternative to more energetic competitors targeting younger audiences. This approach aligned with audience preferences for non-intrusive programming among older adults, as reflected in post-relaunch metrics showing rapid uptake amid a market dominated by upbeat pop stations. Operational changes included a revamped schedule, with long-time breakfast host departing to make way for fresh talent such as and , aiming to blend national appeal with residual local elements during the transition. Early hurdles involved harmonizing ex-regional presenters into the networked structure and convincing advertisers of the rebranded network's viability, yet targeted marketing efforts drove listener numbers to approximately 4.8 million weekly by the fourth quarter of 2014, marking a 41.7% year-on-year increase.

Expansion and Format Adjustments (2015-2022)

Following the 2014 relaunch, Smooth Radio expanded its national footprint through enhanced DAB digital radio availability and online streaming platforms, reaching an estimated 5.1 million weekly listeners by 2017 as measured by surveys. This growth was supported by the integration of additional regional frequencies into the Smooth Network, allowing broader coverage while maintaining some local opt-outs for news and updates to comply with licensing requirements. Online listenership via the Global Player app and website further accelerated reach, with total network listening hours climbing to over 33 million in early 2022, reflecting adaptations to digital consumption trends driven by listener data analytics. In response to commercial pressures for cost efficiencies, Global centralized drivetime programming across the Smooth Network in 2019, launching a national afternoon show hosted by Angie Greaves to replace regional variants, which reduced production overheads amid stagnant ad revenues in some markets. This shift correlated with upticks, as the network's weekly reach grew by approximately 6% year-over-year post-implementation, attributed to streamlined content appealing to core 35-64 demographics seeking consistent easy-listening formats. However, initial proposals to network breakfast shows—potentially eliminating over 40 local programs across Global's stations including Smooth—drew criticism for promoting homogenization and risking listener alienation, prompting Smooth to retain regional opt-outs after regulatory and feedback. Format refinements during this period included playlist testing that emphasized 1980s and 1990s tracks, which comprised a larger share of rotations based on retention metrics from Smooth's core adult contemporary audience, boosting average time spent listening. Seasonal programming, such as extended specials featuring holiday classics, further drove ratings spikes, with the network leveraging temporary DAB pop-ups like Smooth Christmas to capture festive uplifts in audience share, often exceeding 10% in quarterly figures for Q4 periods. These data-backed adjustments prioritized empirical listener preferences over expansive localism, yielding sustained growth in national metrics despite occasional pushback from regional advocates concerned about diminished community ties.

Recent Developments (2023-2025)

In 2024, Global expanded the Smooth Radio brand with the launch of Smooth Relax in January, featuring a mix of relaxing pop tracks from artists such as and . This was followed in September by the introduction of three additional themed digital stations—Smooth 70s, Smooth 80s, and —as part of Global's record-breaking rollout of 12 new radio stations, aimed at broadening the adult contemporary ecosystem across platforms like DAB and Global Player. In January 2025, Smooth Radio centralized its breakfast programming by phasing out regional shows in favor of a London-based slot, while retaining and updates to streamline operations across . New on-air lineups debuted on February 24, enhancing weekday and evening schedules with refreshed presenter rotations. The annual All Time Top 500 listener-voted countdown culminated on May 5, with George Michael's "Careless Whisper" retaining the top position for the seventh consecutive year. RAJAR data for Q3 2025 indicated stability for core Smooth Radio, with the broader network maintaining reach amid competitive pressures; notably, Smooth 70s saw a 25.7% quarterly increase to 308,000 weekly listeners, reflecting gains from recent thematic expansions.

Ownership and Operations

Parent Company and Acquisitions

Global, the parent company of Smooth Radio, was established in 2007 by Ashley Tabor-King with financial support from his father, Michael Tabor, initially acquiring Chrysalis Radio to form the basis of its commercial broadcasting operations. Under Tabor-King's leadership as executive president, Global has pursued a strategy of aggressive consolidation in the UK radio market, emphasizing private-sector efficiencies such as centralized content distribution and shared advertising platforms to compete against the publicly funded BBC without relying on taxpayer subsidies. A pivotal acquisition occurred on 25 June 2012, when Global purchased GMG Radio from Guardian Media Group for an estimated £70 million, incorporating the Smooth Radio network—previously operating as Smooth FM—alongside Real Radio into its holdings. This deal, Global's third major transaction in quick succession, significantly boosted its market share by adding regional stations that could be restructured for national scalability, though it triggered a UK Competition Commission inquiry requiring divestitures in seven markets to address local monopoly risks. The integration of Smooth into Global's broader portfolio, which includes Heart and Capital, enabled operational synergies like unified sales teams and digital infrastructure, reducing costs compared to fragmented independent operations and prioritizing listener revenue over public service mandates. Ownership has remained stable under Tabor-King's control, with Global funding Smooth's 2014 national relaunch and subsequent expansions through private investment rather than public funding, reflecting a model focused on profitability and commercial innovation to erode 's dominance in easy-listening formats.

Internal Organizational Changes

In , Global implemented networked national breakfast programming across its Smooth Radio stations, replacing regional breakfast shows with a centralized London-based show hosted by Tina Ritchie and . This shift reduced the need for multiple regional production teams, streamlining operations by consolidating at Global's central facilities. The changes coincided with RAJAR-measured audience growth for the Smooth Network, reaching a record 5.133 million weekly listeners in Q3 , up 2.6% year-on-year, suggesting operational efficiencies supported expanded reach without proportional increases in staffing. Further centralization occurred in February 2025, when Global ended remaining English regional opt-outs for Smooth breakfast and other daytime segments, transitioning to fully networked programming from while preserving localized news and travel updates to meet regulatory requirements. These adjustments minimized regional overheads by leveraging centralized hubs for the majority of output, aligning with Global's strategy to optimize amid competitive markets. The retention of targeted local elements balanced scalability with compliance, enabling Smooth to maintain distinct regional flavors in non-core segments.

Broadcasting Infrastructure

Transmission Platforms and Technologies

Smooth Radio's primary terrestrial transmission post-2014 relaunch utilizes (FM) for analog broadcasting in local markets and (DAB) for enhanced coverage and quality. FM provides high-fidelity stereo audio via licensed frequencies, while DAB enables multiplexed delivery on national and regional platforms like , supporting multiple channels with reduced interference and support for additional data services such as station information. Following the 2014 consolidation under Global, the network phased out (AM) operations in former heritage areas, transitioning to DAB where feasible to leverage digital multiplexing for greater spectrum efficiency and audio clarity over long distances, though FM persists as the core analog backbone in urban licenses. This hybrid approach maintains compatibility with legacy receivers while prioritizing DAB's capacity for nationwide simulcasts, as seen in the introduction of Smooth UK on in 2020. Digital streaming extends reach via internet protocols, with live audio delivered through the Global Player application on and Android devices, enabling 24/7 access independent of geographic constraints. The platform supports to optimize for varying bandwidth, ensuring seamless playback on mobile networks and . Integration with smart speakers facilitates voice-activated listening, including compatibility with skills, , and systems via Global Player linkage, allowing commands like "play Smooth Radio" for instant linear feeds. On-demand capabilities include podcast hosting on Global Player, permitting asynchronous access to select content segments, which complements live transmission by accommodating listener shifts toward non-linear consumption without supplanting real-time .

Station Coverage and Frequencies

Smooth Radio's FM transmissions are concentrated in major urban and suburban areas of , , and , as licensed by to serve adult audiences primarily in population-dense regions. This geographic focus aligns with the station's targeting of listeners aged 35 and older, prioritizing signals that cover metropolitan centers where such demographics are prevalent, while rural areas are served through digital alternatives. The station operates on allocated FM frequencies in key markets, as detailed below:
Region/AreaFM Frequency (MHz)
102.2
100.4
West Midlands105.7
106.6 / 101.4
97.5 / 107.7
105.2
These frequencies provide coverage to approximately 70% of the population via analog radio, with signals engineered for suburban reach but intentionally omitting extensive rural transmitter sites to optimize for urban listener density. Ofcom's licensing framework ensures these allocations avoid overlap with competing services while maximizing service to targeted demographics in high-listenership zones. On DAB digital radio, Smooth Radio is available via regional multiplexes rather than a single national ensemble, including blocks such as those in local platforms across and , often utilizing capacity in ensembles like 11B for areas previously served by AM signals. This setup extends reach to suburban and some rural pockets without additional FM infrastructure, with AM transmissions phased out by 2025 (e.g., Wrexham's 1260 kHz ceased in early 2025). Post-2024 developments include enhanced DAB distribution for the Smooth network through additions to national multiplexes like (D2), enabling broader digital footprint without new physical towers or FM expansions, thereby unifying access for non-urban listeners via existing digital infrastructure.

Programming and Content

Music Policy and Playlist Evolution

Upon its 2014 relaunch, Smooth Radio adopted a soft adult contemporary format centered on familiar hits spanning the to the 2000s, prioritizing relaxing tracks in genres such as , , and pop ballads from artists including , the , , and . This curation emphasized listener familiarity to foster retention, drawing from industry-standard methods like auditorium music testing and call-out research, which evaluate song appeal through controlled group sessions and surveys to identify tracks with high recall and positive emotional response among the target demographic of adults over 35. The has historically limited exposure to new releases, allocating the majority of airtime—estimated at over 80% based on observed patterns—to proven , thereby sustaining loyalty in an era dominated by on-demand streaming services that favor novelty. This approach aligns with causal retention principles, where repeated plays of high-familiarity songs correlate with extended , as evidenced by general radio research showing that AC formats achieve dwell times 20-30% longer with core playlist staples compared to heavy current rotations. Over time, the playlist has evolved modestly to incorporate listener-driven elements, such as the annual All Time Top 500 countdown, compiled from public votes and featuring a mix of enduring hits with select contemporary inclusions like collaborations, reflecting engagement data from thousands of submissions that prioritize broad appeal. Special programming, including genre-focused marathons (e.g., or blocks), further tests variations rooted in sales and streaming metrics, allowing temporary shifts toward slightly more upbeat selections while preserving the core relaxing ethos established in 2014.

Daily Schedule and Special Features

Smooth Radio's weekday programming centers on key listening windows designed to foster routine engagement, with the breakfast slot running from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and featuring a blend of curated music tracks interspersed with light talk segments. The drivetime period follows from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., mirroring the breakfast format by combining familiar classics with conversational content aimed at afternoon and evening audiences. Off-peak hours, including overnights from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., shift toward automated playback of timeless hits to sustain continuous listening without live intervention. Throughout the day, hourly and updates are integrated, drawn from Global's centralized production facilities, with dedicated slots for regional opt-outs to deliver location-specific . Weekend schedules incorporate themed blocks to vary the routine, such as extended or segments that highlight genre-specific playlists during midday or evening hours. Special event programming includes holiday takeovers, exemplified by , which launches annually in late September—specifically September 29, 2025—and runs non-stop selections of festive tracks until after the holiday, overriding the standard schedule to capitalize on seasonal habits. Schedule adaptations in 2025 emphasized network consistency, with the breakfast show expanding to a fully unified broadcast from across starting February 24, thereby standardizing content delivery while preserving opt-outs for and relevance. This adjustment aimed to streamline operations without eroding the station's appeal to geographically diverse listeners reliant on familiar daily rhythms.

On-Air Personnel

Key Presenters and Their Roles

Jenni Falconer serves as the host of Smooth Breakfast, broadcasting weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. across England and Wales, where she combines easy-listening tracks with light-hearted discussions on lifestyle topics to attract a broad morning audience, building on her prior experience at Global's Heart and Capital networks for consistent ratings draw. Kate Garraway anchors the mid-morning slot from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. weekdays, integrating her journalism background from ITV's Good Morning Britain into segments featuring artist interviews and advice, which have sustained listener engagement through a focus on relatable content amid her 2.28 million weekly reach in similar formats. Angie Greaves leads the drivetime program, The Smooth Drive Home, airing weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where she blends with conversational elements like updates and listener call-ins, drawing from over two decades in adult contemporary radio to maintain appeal for post-work audiences. Specialists such as Darren Parks host The Smooth Sanctuary from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekdays, curating themed selections of mellow tracks for evening relaxation, a role selected based on prior regional breakfast performance data within Global's lineup. and contribute to weekend and specialist slots, with Hobley handling early evenings and Klass focusing on Saturday mornings, incorporating their entertainment industry credentials—Hobley from television and Klass from classical crossover—for varied listener retention in non-primetime hours. The presenter roster reflects a balance of established commercial radio veterans and media crossovers, prioritizing those with verifiable audience pull from metrics, such as Greaves' sustained share, to optimize for Smooth's adult demographic without relying solely on public broadcaster imports.

Presenter Turnover and Recruitment

Following the March 2014 relaunch under Global ownership, Smooth Radio underwent initial presenter adjustments to align with a refreshed national schedule, including the replacement of veteran DJ from the breakfast slot in February 2014 as part of cost-focused revamps emphasizing networked content over legacy regional talent. From 2019 onward, turnover accelerated due to Global's shift toward centralized programming across its Smooth, Heart, and Capital networks, reducing reliance on local DJs to cut operational costs in a competitive commercial landscape; this included the February 2019 announcement to eliminate most local breakfast shows, risking over 100 jobs and specifically affecting around 95 presenters through non-renewals and redundancies. Notable exits encompassed long-serving hosts like Dave Brown, who departed at the end of his 15-year contract in August 2019, and Carlos, who left the Manchester drive show after 12 years amid the same regional shake-up. These reductions prioritized efficiency by standardizing output from Global's London hub, minimizing duplication in a market where audience retention depends on scalable, ratings-driven formats rather than localized staffing. Recruitment strategies countered turnover by targeting high-profile, versatile personalities adaptable to networked roles, often drawn from television or established radio backgrounds to leverage name recognition for listener acquisition; examples include TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher's permanent weekend slot in July 2021 and actor Adil Ray's addition for multiple shows announced in December 2024, both selected amid ongoing centralization to sustain appeal without expanding regional payroll. In 2025, Global further eliminated all remaining local and regional programming on Smooth, prompting internal shifts like Darren Parks' relocation from North West breakfast and Tina Hobley's expanded duties, while offsetting losses through such targeted hires focused on multi-platform compatibility and proven draw in listener metrics. This approach reflects data-informed decisions via ratings analysis, favoring talent that supports performance stability through centralized efficiency over sentimental retention of local voices in a profit-oriented .

Network Extensions

Primary UK Stations

The primary stations of Smooth Radio form a network of regional FM outlets centered in major population hubs, complemented by national DAB distribution to achieve broad coverage. Key FM transmissions include on 102.2 MHz, North West England (including ) on 100.4 MHz, ( and ) on 105.2 MHz, North East England on 97.5 and 107.7 MHz, West Midlands on 105.7 MHz, and East Midlands on 101.4 and 106.6 MHz, among others spanning over 20 markets such as , , , , and . National reach is enhanced through the Smooth UK DAB ensemble, available on multiplexes like 11D and 12A across , , and , allowing listeners in areas without local FM to access the core programming feed. This digital layer ensures consistent availability, with the network's unified branding delivering a standardized soft selection and presenter-led schedule irrespective of transmission mode or locale. A notable expansion in coverage involved the phase-out of legacy AM services, exemplified by the station on 1260 kHz, which ended analog broadcasts at the close of February 2025—the final such Global Radio AM outlet—shifting listeners to DAB for sustained service in and bordering , thereby improving reliability in previously underserved rural and border regions without FM overlap.
Region/AreaPrimary FM Frequencies (MHz)DAB Availability
102.2Smooth UK (multiple multiplexes)
North West (e.g., )100.4Smooth UK (11D/12A)
105.2Local and national DAB
North East97.5, 107.7Smooth UK
West Midlands105.7Smooth UK
101.4, 106.6Smooth UK

Themed Sister Stations and Spin-Offs

Smooth Radio has developed a series of themed digital sister stations to target specific listener preferences within the genre, extending the brand's reach through niche programming without altering the core station's broad adult contemporary format. These spin-offs, operated by Global, are primarily available nationally via the Global Player app and select DAB digital radio multiplexes, allowing for segmented playlists focused on sub-genres or eras. The earliest themed extensions include Smooth Country, launched on March 1, 2019, which features contemporary and classic country hits from artists such as Dolly Parton and Shania Twain. Smooth Chill followed on September 3, 2019, rebranding the former standalone Chill station to emphasize ambient, downtempo, and lounge tracks for relaxation. Smooth Relax debuted on January 8, 2024, curating soothing selections from vocalists like Diana Ross and instrumental pieces to provide an "oasis of calming music." In September 2024, Global expanded the portfolio with three additional decade- and genre-specific stations: Smooth 70s (launched September 12, focusing on 1970s hits), Smooth 80s (emphasizing pop and rock), and (highlighting soul classics from the onward). These additions align with Global's broader strategy of brand extensions across its network, enabling precise audience targeting—such as nostalgia-driven 35- to 54-year-olds for the decade stations—while leveraging shared production resources to enhance overall listener retention and digital engagement. Complementing these permanent spin-offs is the seasonal Smooth Christmas, which activates annually from late through the holiday period, delivering festive tracks like those from and exclusively via the Global Player app and online streams. This temporary format capitalizes on heightened seasonal demand for holiday music, with potential for permanence based on sustained popularity, though it remains a limited-run extension as of 2025.

Commercial Performance

Audience Reach and RAJAR Metrics

Since its rebranding in 2014, Smooth Radio has demonstrated consistent growth in weekly audience reach as measured by , the UK's official radio audience research body. In Q4 2014, the network achieved a weekly reach of approximately 4.8 million listeners. This figure expanded steadily, reflecting increases in both reach and average listening hours per listener, with the network posting a record 7.8 million weekly listeners in Q4 2024. By Q3 2025, weekly reach stood at 7.6 million, accompanied by a listening share of 4.1% and year-on-year gains in average hours listened.
PeriodWeekly Reach (millions)Listening Share (%)Average Hours per Listener
Q4 20144.8Not specifiedNot specified
Q4 20247.84.1Increased YoY
Q3 20257.64.1Increased YoY
RAJAR data indicate Smooth Radio's audience skews toward adults aged 35-64, with a listener age aligning with easy-listening formats' appeal to mid-life and older demographics, contributing to sustained engagement metrics. The network's reach encompasses linear broadcast platforms (AM/FM and DAB) as the primary mode, accounting for the majority of listening hours, while digital platforms (online streaming and apps) supplement approximately 20-25% of total weekly reach through multi-platform measurement. This breakdown underscores the network's dominance in traditional radio consumption amid broader shifts toward digital supplementation.

Revenue Generation and Market Competition

Smooth Radio generates revenue primarily through sales directed at its core adult contemporary audience, aged 35-64, which advertisers value for its and . Sponsorship opportunities for on-air features, such as dedicated show segments or contests, provide additional income streams, often customized for brands seeking alignment with the station's relaxed, music-focused format. Global's enables bulk ad inventory management across its portfolio, securing premium rates through scale and national reach, with advertisers accessing bundled packages that enhance cost efficiency. Following its integration into a unified national network strategy post-2014, Smooth Radio benefited from expanded branding and programming consistency, contributing to broader revenue uplift within Global's radio division. Global's radio revenues increased from £122.1 million in fiscal year 2014 to £303.1 million in fiscal year 2024, driven by enhanced commercial appeal and digital extensions that attracted more advertisers. This growth reflects the efficiencies of centralized operations, allowing agile responses to market demands without the constraints of public funding. In market competition, Smooth Radio has eroded share from state-subsidized by offering a more advertiser-friendly, music-heavy format with fewer regulatory obligations, aiding commercial radio's overall advance. Commercial stations achieved a record 55.7% audience share in Q2 2025, surpassing networks and pressuring ad dollars toward private operators. Proposed digital spin-offs, including Radio 2 extensions, are projected to divert over £70 million in commercial revenues annually, underscoring the asymmetric rivalry where taxpayer-funded expansions challenge ad-dependent models.

Reception and Impact

Listener Engagement and Achievements

Smooth Radio has demonstrated strong listener engagement through interactive events such as its annual All Time Top 500 countdown, which solicits votes from thousands of participants to rank classic hits, culminating in a multi-day broadcast that highlights audience preferences for artists like , whose "Careless Whisper" topped the 2025 chart for the eighth consecutive year. This event fosters loyalty by involving listeners directly in , with past iterations drawing over 28,000 votes as early as 2017, reflecting sustained participation in selecting timeless tracks from icons like and . The station's format of familiar, easy-listening music contributes to high listener retention, evidenced by consistent audience growth tracked by RAJAR surveys. Weekly reach expanded from 5.473 million in December 2023 to 6.264 million by June 2024, underscoring organic appeal among adults seeking relaxed programming. Key achievements include setting a record-high weekly audience of 7.8 million listeners in Q4 2024, a 2.3% quarterly increase and 1.7 million annual gain, positioning Smooth as one of the UK's top commercial stations per industry metrics. This milestone reflects effective programming that resonates with a broad demographic, surpassing prior benchmarks and affirming the network's competitive standing in audience metrics.

Broader Influence on UK Radio Landscape

Smooth Radio's 2014 relaunch as a unified national adult contemporary (AC) network under Global's ownership marked a pivotal advancement in commercial radio's consolidation strategy, enabling streamlined content delivery across FM, DAB, and digital platforms that heightened competitive pressures on public service broadcasters. This model, characterized by centralized programming with regional opt-outs, exemplified broader commercialization trends that incentivized efficiency and scale, compelling the to refine its scheduling—such as incorporating more contemporary hits into Radio 2—to retain older demographics traditionally loyal to easy-listening formats. The proliferation of Smooth's themed sister stations, including Smooth Chill (launched 2020), Smooth Relax (2024), and decade-specific variants like Smooth 70s and Smooth 80s (2024), has accelerated the diversification of offerings, expanding listener options beyond monolithic schedules and contributing to commercial radio's record audience share of 56% in Q3 2025. By catering to niche preferences through app-based and DAB+ access, these innovations have enhanced consumer-driven fragmentation, correlating with the BBC's share declining to 42.1% amid heightened rivalry for ad-supported and on-demand consumption. Over the longer term, Smooth's emphasis on national scalability and targeted revenue models has bolstered commercial radio's efficiency advantages, propelling sector-wide ad revenues to £738 million in —up 3.2% year-on-year and nearing 2022 peaks—while capturing 86% of the UK's audio market through integrated broadcast and digital streams. This dominance reflects causal efficiencies from reduced duplication and data-informed , positioning commercial entities to outpace license-fee reliant public radio in adapting to streaming-era economics.

Criticisms and Challenges

Format and Repetition Complaints

Listeners have voiced complaints about Smooth Radio's format, particularly its perceived repetitive , with critics on platforms like and arguing that the station rotates a limited selection of tracks, leading to excessive repetition of the same songs daily. For instance, reviews, averaging 2.3 out of 5 stars across 129 submissions as of recent data, frequently highlight frustration with presenters playing identical songs in predictable sequences, such as at the top of hourly segments. Similar sentiments appear in forum discussions, where users describe the as overly narrow, exacerbating despite the station's easy-listening adult contemporary focus aimed at broad, undemanding appeal through familiarity. These critiques stem from the format's emphasis on a curated, high-rotation library typical of commercial easy-listening stations, where empirical testing prioritizes tracks with proven mass retention over variety to maximize hours tuned among casual audiences. However, such complaints represent a niche dissatisfaction, as evidenced by the station's sustained audience growth; data for Q3 2025 reports Smooth Radio reaching 7.6 million weekly listeners, an increase in both reach and listening hours year-over-year, indicating broad tolerance for the repetitive structure among millions who continue tuning in. The low volume of documented grievances—confined to scattered online reviews and forums—contrasts sharply with this empirical retention, underscoring that repetition serves the causal goal of reliable engagement in a competitive market rather than alienating the core demographic.

Employment Practices and Regional Cuts

In the wake of Global's £70 million acquisition of GMG Radio—including Smooth Radio—in June 2012, the station's operations underwent significant restructuring as part of broader group integration efforts. Regulatory clearance from the Competition Commission in May 2013 enabled Global to consolidate functions, including relocating Smooth Radio's headquarters to the company's facility in and merging sales and direct response operations between Smooth and its sister network Real (later partially rebranded). This shift supported Smooth's national expansion onto DAB digital radio platforms across the starting in March 2014, emphasizing networked programming from hubs over localized production. The centralization aligned with Global's cost-efficiency model post-acquisition, which prioritized synergies amid GMG's pre-sale reported losses exceeding £45 million. While exact headcount reductions for Smooth in 2013–2014 were not disclosed publicly, the relocation and operational streamlining typically reduced reliance on regional staff for and sales, mirroring industry patterns where mergers eliminate overlapping roles. By 2014, Smooth's had evolved into a predominantly national service with minimal opt-outs, diminishing the scope for region-specific employment. Global's practices extended this trend into later years, with regional cuts accelerating under ongoing pressures from fragmented advertising markets. In February 2019, the company eliminated around 40 local programs across its portfolio, including Smooth's regional breakfast shows—such as those originating from Nottingham for the East Midlands—affecting over 100 jobs company-wide as production centralized further in London. Similar discontinuations impacted Scottish opt-outs for Smooth, Heart, and Capital, reflecting a strategic pivot to uniform national output despite criticisms from unions like the NUJ over diminished local journalism and programming diversity. These moves underscore Global's emphasis on scalable, centralized employment models to sustain profitability, even as they reduced regional footprints established under prior ownership.

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