CAPITAL, Heart and Smooth radio stations are all set to scrap their Scottish breakfast shows, replacing them with new programming from London.
Some of Scotland’s most famous radio presenters, including Des Clarke and Robin Galloway could be among a hundred or so staff made redundant.
It’s part of an attempt by the company to try and compete with BBC Radio 1 and 2.
The three stations, all owned by Global, will now only broadcast local drivetime shows, local news, and local adverts.
According to Radio Today, Capital will go first with the London output replacing 14 breakfast programmes on the Capital network in England, Scotland and Wales on April 8. It’s unclear what this means for Scottish hosts Clarke, Amy Irons and Steven Mill.
John McCauley’s breakfast show on Smooth Radio will be replace by a new UK-wide breakfast show later in the year, as will Galloway and Adele Cunningham’s programme on Heart.
Global’s founder and executive president Ashley Tabor made the announcement to staff on this morning. He also revealed plans reduce the firm’s number of “broadcast centres” from 24 down to 14 – though the Glasgow site is set to be spared.
Tabor told staff the merger would allow the stations to compete with BBC Radio 1 and 2.
He told RadioToday: “Whilst the new deregulation will mean some significant changes at an operational level, these bold steps enable Global to lead the way in launching the UK’s three largest national commercial radio breakfast shows. We’re really excited to combine the best national talent with our unique ability to include great local content in network shows on Heart, Capital and Smooth.”
The exact number of presenters and station staff at risk of redundancy is not known, but Radio Today estimated that it could be more than 100 people
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