But a well-placed industry source revealed how station bosses frantically called DJs last night and summoned them to a meeting early this morning when they broke the news.
As well as the loss of the iconic name, a number of well-loved Choice DJs have lost their jobs.
The first to be axed was reggae veteran Daddy Ernie who said via Twitter: “Just to let you the public who has supported Superjam for 24yrs as from today I will no longer be part of Capital XTRA moving forward. Shame.”
The DJ had earned the credit of heading the first and only five-day reggae show outside the Caribbean on legal radio.
Others who have been pushed out include popular personalities Martin Jay, Natty B and DJ KC who announced the changes on social media.
As well as all of your favourite shows from Choice FM, including Kojo & Jade and Abrantee, Capital Xtra will feature brand new talent like Tim Westwood, Craig David and superstar DJ Avicii.
Westwood new talent? He's been in the game longer than anyone else on Choice.
Listening to that preview it sounds very much like Capital minus The Wanted & Lawson to me. Why is there now 3 stations in London carrying the same playlist?
Daft Punk and Avicii? Isn't that what Capital already does?
I welcome any new dance music station but this seems to be replicating what's already available on the main station. As for the term "Urban Dance", I would use that to describe garage, bassline, dubstep and that kind of thing. Not Avicii and Daft Punk.
I doubt it was rushed forward as The Voice claims but it doesn't seem as phased as the rebranding to Heart and Capital was. Reminds me a bit of the Capital revamp of Xfm back in 1998.
Shame to see the end of Choice but I can totally understand why Global are doing what they are doing. Look forward to hearing more about the station.
Bad news for someone who has been listening to choice for 15+ years.
The channel is slowly morphing into kiss. I don't mind dance, but it really irritates me on kiss when they cut out half the rap verses like the audience is too stupid to listen to it. Hope this doesn't happen on choice.
Also Craig David is just terrible. He literally sings over every single song, it's the most moronic thing on radio today and that's saying something.
Avicii & Craig David are on the line-up of new presenters for the station. Will this be the next Galaxy FM?
Nope as Global would not have any idea how to do a dance station. Let's face it this will be capital without the cheezy bands and more R&B and no reggae music gutted. It will be a kiss with a different name lol
I guess it was inevitable they would want to pay more attention to an "under-performing asset." But then again, you could argue if Global didn't want Choice, why didn't it just sell it someone who does? Ditto XFM.
According the article in The Voice, the terms of the Choice licence call for: “a targeted music, news and information service primarily for listeners of African and Afro-Caribbean origin in the Brixton area but with cross-over appeal to other listeners who appreciate urban contemporary black music.”
Surely now it's: "primarily cross-over appeal to listeners who appreciate urban contemporary black music, with some targeted music, news and information service for listeners of African and Afro-Caribbean origin."
In the rave days, when it was all white boys with glow sticks, you probably couldn't got away with any dance music under the terms of service. I for one will miss Daddy Ernie, but as Kiss' treatment of Rodigan proved, the commercial sector doesn't place much importance on reggae.
They seem to have changed be playlist. A horrific song is on at the moment (roller coaster by skream). The last 8 songs have had one song each by Kendrick and drake, the rest all dance garbage. Even Kiss wouldn't play this type of music. Terrible. Might have to look into getting DAB in the car for 1 extra. My work involves being in a car several hours a day so this a pretty big deal
Comments
Replacing Smooth 70s?
That and possibly on the 'now' Real XS.
Avicii & Craig David are on the line-up of new presenters for the station. Will this be the next Galaxy FM?
...not a fan!
http://comparemyradio.com/stations/Choice_FM/artists
Many are not happy
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/choice-fm-becomes-capital-xtra
Westwood new talent? He's been in the game longer than anyone else on Choice.
Listening to that preview it sounds very much like Capital minus The Wanted & Lawson to me. Why is there now 3 stations in London carrying the same playlist?
Daft Punk and Avicii? Isn't that what Capital already does?
I welcome any new dance music station but this seems to be replicating what's already available on the main station. As for the term "Urban Dance", I would use that to describe garage, bassline, dubstep and that kind of thing. Not Avicii and Daft Punk.
I doubt it was rushed forward as The Voice claims but it doesn't seem as phased as the rebranding to Heart and Capital was. Reminds me a bit of the Capital revamp of Xfm back in 1998.
Shame to see the end of Choice but I can totally understand why Global are doing what they are doing. Look forward to hearing more about the station.
Seems to be automated now.
The channel is slowly morphing into kiss. I don't mind dance, but it really irritates me on kiss when they cut out half the rap verses like the audience is too stupid to listen to it. Hope this doesn't happen on choice.
Also Craig David is just terrible. He literally sings over every single song, it's the most moronic thing on radio today and that's saying something.
Nope as Global would not have any idea how to do a dance station. Let's face it this will be capital without the cheezy bands and more R&B and no reggae music gutted. It will be a kiss with a different name lol
According the article in The Voice, the terms of the Choice licence call for: “a targeted music, news and information service primarily for listeners of African and Afro-Caribbean origin in the Brixton area but with cross-over appeal to other listeners who appreciate urban contemporary black music.”
Surely now it's: "primarily cross-over appeal to listeners who appreciate urban contemporary black music, with some targeted music, news and information service for listeners of African and Afro-Caribbean origin."
In the rave days, when it was all white boys with glow sticks, you probably couldn't got away with any dance music under the terms of service. I for one will miss Daddy Ernie, but as Kiss' treatment of Rodigan proved, the commercial sector doesn't place much importance on reggae.
Do you think these shows will just move over to Xtra to be used by both stations?
Definatley. I'd love to know how they intend to shoehorn this in. Will Classic FM's bit rate be dropping?
Unless they intend to just use loads of local MUXs- maybe in place of Capital itself. So Capital on FM, Capital Xtra on DAB?
It's a straight swap, Capital Xtra for Smooth 70s on D1.
It shouldn't affect any other stations.