|
||||||||
Thames Radio - New Digital Station |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#76 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 229
|
Quote:
I like what they're trying to do, but I've been thinking hard about what exactly made Capital such a great London station - and, from what I've seen and heard of Thames so far, I'm not sure they're really replicating much of it...
- Big jingles with a sense of urgency that reflected the pace of life in a capital city ("from the centre of the city..." etc) - Slick DJs round the clock, in tune with London life - The biggest hits of the day, quite a few slightly older tracks, and the odd classic thrown in - The 'Flying Eye' - actual observations about London traffic, not just someone reading out a list of busy roads - Marketing everywhere - OBs and inserts from around the city - A big commitment to local news and information (including the extended evening 'The Way It Is' bulletin) I'd love for Thames to achieve what they're setting out to do, though - so I'll keep my fingers crossed. But it won't be enough just to say they're all about London - they'll need to find a way to really put themselves at the heart of London life. |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#77 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,004
|
It would be nice. But without some serious money behind it from someone who doesn't care if they get any of it back, it ain't gonna happen
|
|
|
|
|
|
#78 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
Quote:
I like what they're trying to do, but I've been thinking hard about what exactly made Capital such a great London station - and, from what I've seen and heard of Thames so far, I'm not sure they're really replicating much of it...
- Big jingles with a sense of urgency that reflected the pace of life in a capital city ("from the centre of the city..." etc) - Slick DJs round the clock, in tune with London life - The biggest hits of the day, quite a few slightly older tracks, and the odd classic thrown in - The 'Flying Eye' - actual observations about London traffic, not just someone reading out a list of busy roads - Marketing everywhere - OBs and inserts from around the city - A big commitment to local news and information (including the extended evening 'The Way It Is' bulletin) I'd love for Thames to achieve what they're setting out to do, though - so I'll keep my fingers crossed. But it won't be enough just to say they're all about London - they'll need to find a way to really put themselves at the heart of London life. |
|
|
|
|
|
#79 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 94
|
Quote:
Following on from my previous post, I think that the sung jingles *may* be Real Radio re-sings?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#80 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
|
Nice touch at the end of the news bulletin with the news reader ending with 'Thats the way it is...'
|
|
|
|
|
|
#81 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 315
|
I was listening to the tests for a bit and noticed the 'that's the way it is' too. A nice touch but, to be honest, that's where any comparisons with Capital stop - the station sound is decent enough, but nothing like anything I've ever heard on Capital.
If the music played during the tests is a fair reflection of what they'll play post-launch, I'd say they'll be competing head-on with Magic. That's going to be one heck of a challenge, as Magic is not only a big hitter but also pretty much neutralises any USP that Thames may claim. Magic still sounds like a local station in London, and has no shortage of ex-Capital presenters like Richard Allinson and Martin Collins. |
|
|
|
|
|
#82 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 522
|
They have just started to play Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics (and not even the original track, some remixed effort)
I'm out I'm afraid |
|
|
|
|
|
#83 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
Lot of predictable music offcourse, but hey, Capital did it also back in the day it was new music. The 'magic' should be in the right mix between well familiar tracks and less familiar track.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#84 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Sussex / Surrey, UK.
Posts: 860
|
"From the top of the mighty Crystal Palace Tower direct to your DAB radio".
"That's the way it is at.. " Are they trying to make it a Capital Radio timewarp? The music is very cheesy too! Still, competition isn't a bad thing. |
|
|
|
|
|
#85 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
Posts: 978
|
I've done a couple of scans on my Roberts and this station is not showing up. Is it actually appearing as Thames Radio. I'm getting the other stations on London 2 OK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#86 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 2,711
|
Quote:
I've done a couple of scans on my Roberts and this station is not showing up. Is it actually appearing as Thames Radio. I'm getting the other stations on London 2 OK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#87 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
Posts: 978
|
Mine is definitely DAB+ capable
|
|
|
|
|
|
#88 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Sussex / Surrey, UK.
Posts: 860
|
I bet it's not DAB+
I've been listening online so far. |
|
|
|
|
|
#89 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,569
|
Quote:
Interesting idea. The tight rotation MOR retro mix genre is popular as Magic, Smooth and Heart can testify. Presumably they'll launch as the low bitrate DAB+ channel that was recently advertised so it can't cost that much for 32k on one multiplex. Pat Sharp and Neil Fox are probably doing it to keep their names out there as much as anything.
http://www.switchdigital.com/2016/05...ation-process/ UCB2 has also left London 2 at 64k so there is now about 96k available. |
|
|
|
|
|
#90 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
Posts: 978
|
UCB2 is still broadcasting on London 2 but is labelled RETUNE. I suspect it will go off air on this mux to make way for Thames Radio sometime late Saturday or Sunday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#91 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
B.t.w. this Thames Radio sounds more like a Capital Gold revival than a classic Capital FM one. It's too soft, lazy and smooth (fm).
|
|
|
|
|
|
#92 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Down South
Posts: 24,599
|
Quote:
B.t.w. this Thames Radio sounds more like a Capital Gold revival than a classic Capital FM one. It's too soft, lazy and smooth (fm).
|
|
|
|
|
|
#93 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
Quote:
I was listening to some of what the voiceover described at Pat Sharp's Love Songs this morning around 9am, no sign of Pat in any link but heard Neil's trailer for his two weekly shows Friday at 4pm and Saturday from 8am. Asking listeners to call the answer service leaving a message. Sounds like it could all be VT'd to me.
This is not what London deserves, this is not how the old Capital well can be remembered. If you do it, do it good, not half/half. |
|
|
|
|
|
#94 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 3,723
|
Quote:
Agree. All sounds like a big hoax and deception so far. And on Social Media they using a lot London in their posts. lt looks like they don't come from London also. Too easy, too wannabee. I guess nobody from that station has ever listen to Capital in the 80's and how it sounds really. It's sounds boring, lousy and not 'up beat' what it should be.
This is not what London deserves, this is not how the old Capital well can be remembered. If you do it, do it good, not half/half. I'm beginning to wonder if Chris Stevens has even heard of air checks of Capital in the 80s/90s, as he wasn't anywhere near London in those days as I understand he grew up in the north of England. The current output is something Hospital Radio would be doing. |
|
|
|
|
|
#95 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
Quote:
They should bring in Paul Easton (if not already) as he knows Capital in the 80s/90s very well.
I'm beginning to wonder if Chris Stevens has even heard of air checks of Capital in the 80s/90s, as he wasn't anywhere near London in those days as I understand he grew up in the north of England. The current output is something Hospital Radio would be doing. |
|
|
|
|
|
#96 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hedge End, Southampton, Hants.
Posts: 2,814
|
Quote:
Following on from my previous post, I think that the sung jingles *may* be Real Radio re-sings?
|
|
|
|
|
#97 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
It's on right now from what I read on Twitter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#98 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: cranleigh surrey
Posts: 149
|
Thames radio appeared at midnight. Its dab as my pure evoke-1is picking it up. Am listenning right now. Its in 64k mono.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#99 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,051
|
Mono? That must sounds worse than the internet stream. And the stream is also a bit weak and flat sounding at the moment...now for the second time The Clash and London Calling...
|
|
|
|
|
|
#100 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sussex
Posts: 25,513
|
Retuned DAB now up and running.
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 08:35.




