Classic FM (UK)
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| Broadcast area | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Frequency |
FM: 99.9–101.9 MHz DAB: 11D (England/Wales/N. Ireland) 12A (Scotland) Freeview: 731 Freesat: 721 Sky: 0106 Virgin Media: 922 |
| First air date | 7 September 1992 |
| Format | Classical music |
| Language(s) | English |
| Audience share | 3.5% (June 2013, RAJAR) |
| Owner | Global |
| Sister stations |
Capital FM Heart Smooth Radio Capital Xtra Radio X LBC Gold |
| Website | classicfm |
Classic FM (stylised as Classic fM) is one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations. The station broadcasts classical music.
Classic FM broadcasts nationally on FM, DAB digital radio, Freeview, satellite and cable television and is available internationally by streaming audio over the internet. In addition to playing older music, the station plays several modern film scores and video game music.
The idea for a national, commercial FM network devoted to classical music originated with the management at GWR group, an entrepreneurial group of UK commercial radio stations. It had been operating a trial programme on its AM frequencies in Wiltshire and Bristol, testing audience reaction to a regular drive-time programme of popular classical music. It proved successful and the company's CEO, Ralph Bernard, and programme director, Michael Bukht, drew up the plans for a national station.
Meanwhile, Brian Brolly, formerly the CEO of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, had a similar idea in 1990. After failing to raise sufficient funds for the project Brolly's consortium was approached by GWR Group and the two merged. The UK Government had decided to award several new national radio licences and invited tenders. Brolly had brought the idea to Rick Senat, the long-serving head of business affairs in London for Warner Brothers and current owner of Hammer Films. Initially rejected by Warner Brothers, Senat showed the project to the President of Time Warner International Broadcasting, Tom McGrath, a former classical musician and conductor. Time Warner agreed to back the project but was prohibited under then current UK law from owning more than a 25% interest.
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