He gave a rare interview in 2009
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/richar...001554.article

Although Magic' Neil Fox and Smooth's Simon Bate's may now lock into battle for a 40 plus easier listening audience, hopefully Smooth with a soul and motown emphasis will provide something different to R2, Magic and Gold.

This morning was a massive operation with many people involved. I'd like to see you move a network of stations without any problems.

Indeed on my dab it sounds a lot better so for me its so far so good. They just need to add smooth to their phone apps now.

I think the formula is allowing the presenters to be themselves, they originally chose the line up due to the expertise these guys can bring to the airwaves, so let them do it. bring back some fun and some originality................then replace Lynne Parsons

Despite what the recent jingle package still says the station now appears to be "Smooth" rather than "Smooth Radio".

They also seem to have dropped using the local weather for each station before the news and are just giving the UK weather to everyone.

I had it on early doors - about 5am, and it sounded terrible with two lots of audio playing. Smooth 70's was plating the same ads at the same time as the main Smooth, I didn't hang around long enough to hear whether the music was the same.
The six am news was far from smooth, lots of gaps and dead air. First morning gremlins I suppose. I will give it another listen next week

Looks like a new show, early breakfast with Nicola Bonn 4am-6am, looks like Pete Waterman lost his show on friday nights too??

Ditto! Replacing Lynne Parsons would be a really smart move...

I don't think Andi Peters' show has been terribly impressive so far either, so I won't be loosing sleep if he doesn't return to Smooth next week. Why do radio stations feel compelled to bring in 'celebs' for new shows, rather than just great radio presenters?

Paul Hollins' show is much better during that Sunday slot.

That makes sense as a 6 hour shift is far too long in my opinion, i dont think any Global stations do have any nowadays actually?

As for Pete Waterman if he is replaced by Carlos as what the schedules say at the moment i guess he will be replaced on Saturday afternoons by someone.....Paul Hollins maybe?

Jensen (Zzzzzzz) now be referred to as David.and not Kid on the website.

I just hope they keep an overnight presenter not just Nicola at 4am. Are they keeping an overnight presenter does anyone know?

The schedule for Saturday and Sunday has been pulled on the Smooth website, but the schedule for Monday has been published. Might suggest that the weekend schedule is still being firmed up, pending changes to the usual line up???

Things are just happening over time.

One year on the golden hour. Local area Traffic and travel this morning at 20 past and national just before the hour. News strapline is now online, on digital and mobile

"Love life love music" also appears to have been dropped with the jingles cut/edited accordingly.

Interesting Global have stuck one of there staff on Early Breakfast and not hired anyone else. Nicola was previously Heart. I wonder if they might do that with anyone else?

I think their time slots should also be changed, they should all be on 4 hour slots either 06-22 etc or 05.00-09.00, as a sudo national station this need for drivetime to me is a nonsense lets just have a good time,

Don't understand why this suggestion of 4 hour shows keeps coming around and around. As regards the drivetime show most of the listening is coming from the areas where they are on FM so I would imagine that is why it is kept.

Ok,so now I am raging.Jensen's show plainly recorded today.
Like Pat Sharp at two.there was a sweep of four tracks after the news.and then a ''Hi this is David J..'' and it suddenly cut off into the break,with the next recordplaying over it. AND THAT NEXT RECORD WAS'Over My Shoulder' by Mike and the Mechanics that Bates playedTHIS MORNING at 8.50.
There is no excuse at all for a quasi national station putting out sub standard JUNK like this. No excuse at all.and an absolute insult to the listerner's intelligence.It's an utter disgrace. NOW MORE ADS PLAYING OVER EACH OTHER. AND NO NEWS HEADLINES EITHER.Jensen plainly not there and not bothering to voice track,

Have a feeling the next one could be Simon Beale, just can't see him being on overnights for long for some reason.

The 4pm top of the hour sequence was just overcrowded. Ads then travel then weather then finally the news at 4 - although it was actually 4.03, then sport etc!!

Is this a ploy to ruin a half decent station and then scrap the name and move on with something else?

Yes, maybe move Carlos to 7-10pm and then put Simon Beale on the late show again from 10-1am? I personally though would like to see Carlos on earlier in the day and maybe move Pat Sharp to the evenings (which of course he was when he was on Capital Radio for a while)

You may.

We know Smooth at the movies and Dave's Motown Show have gone. I hope David Prever keeps his slot.

Todays 'Smooth Drive Home' is an absolute car crash,Anyone listening can tell Jensen isn't even there.Its a total mess. A minute of Lou Rawls 'You'll Never Find..'then its back announced by Jensen it goes straight into a break with Lou Rawls returning and playing all over it. Sounds like they haven't even got a tech op nursing it or if they have. it's a hapless one who should be nowhere near the controls of a quasi national radio satation,So what Smooth You've moved now.What the hell is the problem? Sort it out.Your station sounds like a ham-fisted utter joke this afternoon.

That's Global for you.

Just before nine, this morning, the national weather and traffic were broadcast simultaneously.
I expected Gremlins but not on this scale.