Classic Gold Marcher

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Classic Gold Marcher

Broadcast area	Wrexham and Chester
First air date	31 March 1989 (as Marcher Sound, 5 September 1983)
Frequency	1260 kHz AM
Format	Oldies / Contemporary
Owner	Classic Gold Digital Limited (UBC)
Website	classicgolddigital.com

Classic Gold Marcher, originally Marcher Gold, is a British independent local radio station broadcasting to Wrexham and Chester, part of the Classic Gold Network. It is the "sister" station to local FM station, Marcher Sound despite the fact it is legally owned by a different company. It is broadcast from Mold Road, Gwersyllt, Wrexham, although it does have small facilities in Chester.

[edit] History

The station launched in 1989 when new radio regulations prevented the simulcasting of independent local radio stations on AM radio bands, and therefore Marcher Radio Group created MFM 103.4 on FM, while the 1260 AM frequency became Marcher Gold. Both frequencies previously simulcast Marcher Sound.

Marcher Radio Group were purchased by GWR Group in 2000, which also included the sale of Marcher Gold. However, after regulations on how many stations one company could own, Gold legally became part of the Classic Gold Network in the early 2000's when the the majority stake of the network was sold to British company, UBC, with GWR retaining 20%. As a concequence, all participating stations in the network were re-branded, and Marcher Gold became Classic Gold Marcher. GWR Group merged with Capital Radio Group in 2005, creating GCap Media which continues its 20% stake in the network. (See: Classic Gold).

In competitions, the station often mentions areas on the Wirral subject to them, so it is assumed the station can be received in those areas in addition.

[edit] Content

Classic Gold Marcher broadcast a variety of regional programming and programming from the Classic Gold Network, however it generally focuses on classic hit and late 20th Century music. Instead of 7pm, the drivetime ends at 6pm because it broadcasted a Welsh language programme called Sîn, where it is still called 'Classic Gold Marcher' instead of a more appropriate '(Sain-y-)Gororau Clasurol Aur'. But from January 2007, it is now called Cŵl Cymru, which is also spread out across the Welsh network.

It's drivetime show is hosted by a Steve Marriott who once hosted a show on Radio Maldwyn.