History of Commercial Radio in the UK
by David Harber
Interestin' people and things...
​To contribute and share your experiences, please click here. 

Contributors include:
Tony Stoller CBE, Chief Executive, Radio Authority​
David Mansfield, Capital Radio, RAJAR
Philip Birch, Radio London, Piccadilly Radio
John Aumonier, Radio Mercury, Allied Radio, Talk Radio UK
David Vick, IBA, Radio Authority
Lisa Kerr, Radio Forth, Radio Services, RadioCentre
Paul Brown, Radio 210, CRCA
Eddie Startup, Radio Consultant
David Lloyd, Radio Trent, Free Radio
Ian Rufus, Mercia, BRMB
Linda Smith, GCap Media, RadioCentre
Michael Betton, Ocean Sound, Lincs FM Group
Bob Kingsley, Devonair, Countysound
David Rodgers, Orchard FM, Radio Plymouth​
John Leaver, Radio Sales and Marketing, Melody Radio, Liberty Radio
Simon Hirst, Capital FM
John Collins, Radio Forth, QFM, Dalet
Dave Bell, Beacon Radio
Howard Bowles, Orchard FM, Anglia Radio
Chris Carnegy, Radio Victory, Spire FM, TLRC
Steve England, Piccadilly, Alfasound
Michael Charnley-Heaton, Radioworks
Eamon Bohan, Irish Broadcasting Hall of Fame
James Bromley, The Fire, Daily Mail
Chris Wright, Heart, Ocean FM, Celador Radio
Tim Wander, Author "The Birth of British Broadcasting"
Paul Easton, LBC, Ocean Sound, Contact 94, Capital Radio
Mark Page, Radio Tees, Radio Luxembourg, Garrison Radio
Gary Haberfield, GWR, 3TR-FM​
Ian Davidson, LBC, Invicta
Andy Turner, Capital Radio
Simon Hardwick, Atlantic 252, Passion Radio
Ian Axton, Spire FM, Andover Sound
Emily Tolloczko, Celador Radio
Bob McCreadie, Radio In Tavistock, South West 103
Sean Bolger, Southern Sound, Talk Radio UK
Roger Price, FM102 The Bear
Tony Adams, Radio Luxembourg
Mark Barber, RAB
Dan Lodge, Wave 105, Jack FM
Keith Matthew, G0WYS, Marconi Centre
Richard Lawley, Mercia Sound, TLRC, GMG
Anthony James, AJ Productions
David Jensen, Radio Luxembourg, Capital Radio, Smooth FM
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Introducing: john aumonier
The Managing Director of Radio Mercury, John talks about his experience in setting up the first ILR station wholly within the broadcast area of two existing stations. He explains why Hong Kong were important in the development of UK radio and talks about his experience as the MD behind both of the last two national commercial radio stations.
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John also talks about how Mercury's achievement of trading profit within its fiirst 6 weeks shut the IBA up, who were suggesting maybe they'd made a bad decision in awarding a franchise to Crawley and Reigate. Mercury had a £1,000,000 profit on turnover.

John also shares the stories behind the rental fee on Broadfield House; the archival lies behind his argument with Radio Jackie and overcoming the almost total technical impracticality of merging with County Sound in Guildford.

John was the launch Managing Director of Talk Radio UK (now talkSPORT) and recalls his frustration of not advertising companies whose products were "actually available in the shops".

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Radio needs passionate people and Chris Carnegy remains the epitome of this. From early days in Southampton's University radio station leading to Radio Victory, Ocean Sound, TLRC and now BBC Radio Solent, Chris is one of radio's most passionate participants. A broadcaster, a manager and an owner, his experience in the south of the UK is unparalleled.

Chris shares his experiences in the 'early days' of ILR with Radio Victory, the transition to Ocean Sound in 1986 and why "because we can" there were split news bulletins then split format broadcasts from Segensworth West, creating 'Power FM'.

If you work in local radio in the south, even if you haven't met him, the reason you are doing it is probably, in part, because of this man.
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Introducing: chris carnegy
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Having recently found a girlfriend, and disappointing millions, the presenter of the biggest Breakfast Show outside of London tells of his experience in radio.

Radio Aire, Viking Radio and United Biscuits are among the stories that Hirsty has to share. His passionate belief in radio has helped shape broadcasting in the north of the UK and in this book Hirsty shares the backroom stories of his time with emap and Global Radio (within contractual reason).
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​Simon Hirst is one of radio's biggest supporters - his stories span almost 20 years of experience in ILR converging into the development of the leading brands radio is today. The book shares Hirsty's bits you don't get on his Twitter or Facebook accounts. And if we could print his disconcertingly large selection of jingles, we would.
Introducing: simon hirst
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David says, "I nearly got my first job in radio in 1979, but the man was horrible to me. I got my own back fifteen years later when he applied for a job with me. Revenge. Dish. Cold. All my working life has been in radio... the only thing I know anything at all about is radio. I know more now than I did then; and the way the world is changing, there is yet more to grasp every day. I feel privileged".

More specifically, David began his career at Radio Trent in 1980. At Trent, he has the accolade of presenting the mid-morning show, after Dale Winton left the position open. David moved to Leicester Sound as Deputy Programme Controller in 1987 and subsequently as General Manager. In 1995, he was made Head of Programming and Advertising at the Radio Authority. With additional spells at Century 106, Galaxy 105, LBC and the BBC, he is currently the programming and marketing director of Orion Media's Free Radio brand.
Introducing: david lloyd
"Sounds of your life..."