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Classic FM Radio is 20 years old today.

Anthony_RyanAnthony_Ryan Posts: 445
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in Radio and Podcasts #1
20 years ago today Classic FM became the UK's 1st official Independent National Radio service. I remember the bird song test transmissions that they did. Adrian Love R.I.P. did a good late show for that station during its early days.
On Saturday nights I remember listening to Quentin Howard doing what was in my opinion the best phone in quiz on any radio station. He also had a slot on that programme featuring news about forthcoming Classic FM transmitters.
I've enjoyed Classic FM a lot over the past 2 decades and I hope that it continues for many years to come.
By the way are there any plans for it to be available via Freeview ? Because if Global Radio can put Capital and Heart on Freeview then they could put Classic FM on there.

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    -ajm--ajm- Posts: 5,879
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    #2
    Anthony_Ryan wrote: »
    By the way are there any plans for it to be available via Freeview ? Because if Global Radio can put Capital and Heart on Freeview then they could put Classic FM on there.

    Classic FM has better FM coverage than Heart/Capital which I think is why it's not on there. Maybe one day.
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    Glenn AGlenn A Posts: 23,877
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    #3
    Anthony_Ryan wrote: »
    20 years ago today Classic FM became the UK's 1st official Independent National Radio service. I remember the bird song test transmissions that they did. Adrian Love R.I.P. did a good late show for that station during its early days.
    On Saturday nights I remember listening to Quentin Howard doing what was in my opinion the best phone in quiz on any radio station. He also had a slot on that programme featuring news about forthcoming Classic FM transmitters.
    I've enjoyed Classic FM a lot over the past 2 decades and I hope that it continues for many years to come.
    By the way are there any plans for it to be available via Freeview ? Because if Global Radio can put Capital and Heart on Freeview then they could put Classic FM on there.

    Actually Love was ideal for Classic FM as he came from Radio 2 at the height of its Light Programme era.
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    MikeBrMikeBr Posts: 7,896
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    #4
    Nick Bailey on the launch of Classic FM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJ-7nkwEZE
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 551
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    #5
    Christ knowing its 20 today makes me feel old!
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    David_AylingDavid_Ayling Posts: 819
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    #6
    back then the station started. EMI was one of those that started. if im right.
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    wavy-davywavy-davy Posts: 7,122
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    #7
    I can remember driving around leafy Berkshire listening to the birdsong tests on 100.9/101.4
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    CraigSteele2001CraigSteele2001 Posts: 971
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    #8
    wavy-davy wrote: »
    I can remember driving around leafy Berkshire listening to the birdsong tests on 100.9/101.4

    I enjoyed listening to the birdsong tests where they read out all the transmitters and the frequenices. I also remember the test tones they ran to
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    Anthony_RyanAnthony_Ryan Posts: 445
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    #9
    MikeBr wrote: »
    Nick Bailey on the launch of Classic FM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJ-7nkwEZE
    I remember on Classic FM's opening day that they played their theme music that David Arnold composed at around 3 minutes to 6. Then at 6am they broadcast a news bulletin read by Sarah Sheppard. So therefore it was Sarah Sheppard who was the first voice on Classic FM and not Nick Bailey.
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    shadowplayshadowplay Posts: 102
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    #10
    20 Years old? How time flies!! I remember the bird testing which was affectionally known as "Chicken FM". I miss Mark Griffiths who presented the overnight shifts, who I still correspond with and now hosts with Radio China. Classic FM is very relaxing to listen to after a stressful day and long may it continue.
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