Marcher Radio Group

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Marcher Radio Group
Type	Holding
Founded	1983
Headquarters	Gwersyllt, Wrexham
Industry	Media
Products	Broadcasting
Website	www.gcapmedia.com

Marcher Radio Group Ltd, previously Marcher Sound Ltd, is a former British media organisation which owns several radio stations in North Wales and North West England. The company, now owned by GCap Media, is an official independent local radio licensee operating Marcher Sound, Coast 96.3, Buzz 97.1, Champion FM 103 and Classic Gold Marcher (although the Classic Gold Network is now majority owned by UBC Media).

[edit] History

The company was established in 1983 after successfully acquiring a local radio licence to broadcast Marcher Sound to Wrexham and Deeside (including Chester) on 95.4 MHz FM/VHF (from the Wrexham-Rhos Relay) and 1260 kHz AM/Mediumwave. The station launched on 5 September 1983. After a review, the frequency changed to the more familiar 103.4 MHz.

In 1989 the station opened an FM relay to cover the coastal areas of north east Wales and The Wirral on 97.1 MHz from the Moel-y-Parc transmitting station.

Due to IBA rulings, the company ceased simulcasting and started broadcasting different services on each frequency. The newer 103.4 FM frequency became MFM 103.4, the 97.1 FM frequency became MFM 97.1, and the 1260 AM frequency became Marcher Gold.

In 1993, the company acquired the rights to broadcast to North Wales coast on 96.3FM, including Llandudno, Holywell and Western Anglesey, and named the service Marcher Coast FM.

In 1998, Marcher launched Champion 103 broadcasting to Anglesey and Gwynedd from the Arfon transmitting station.

In 1999, MFM 97.1 was re-branded Buzz 97.1, and it moved from Moel-y-Parc to the Storeton transmitter, to specifically target listners in The Wirral. At the same time, Marcher Coast FM was re-branded Coast 96.3.

[edit] Takeover

In 2000, the company purchased by GWR Group, which included all of its radio assets. This followed an attempt to expand the Group further, including bidding for another licence on Merseyside, which was later secured by Dune FM. In 2005, GWR Group and Capital Radio merged to form GCap Media.

Upon purchase, Marcher's four FM licences became part of The One Network, a nationwide network of independent local radio stations operated by GCap Media which syndicate much of its programming from GWR FM, Bristol. The practice of programme simulcasting has been extensively used by Marcher in the past across its five FM stations, and still continues this to an extent in its local programming opt-outs.

In 2005 GCap announced it was to sell many of its radio businesses, including those of Marcher Radio Group. However, in March 2006 the company called off the sale [1].