BRMB Walkathon

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96.4FM BRMB

96.4FM BRMB is a pop/rock radio station based in Birmingham, UK. The original company, Birmingham Broadcasting Ltd., wanted something that combined a US-style call-sign with the company name. The station is part of The One Network, owned by GCap Media. In August 2008 it was announced that BRMB would be sold to satisfy the OFT's ruling on the takeover of GCap Media by Global Radio.

History

Launched on 19 February 1974, on mediumwave 261 metres, (1152kHz) and 94.8 MHz FM, BRMB was the fourth independent commercial radio station to broadcast in Britain after Capital Radio, LBC and Radio Clyde. Broadcasting popular music with local news, live football coverage and information, the station became popular amongst residents in Birmingham, before changing to 96.4 FM Stereo in 1986.

Presenters such as Ed Doolan, Les Ross, Phil Upton, and Tony Butler became regulars on the radio station but now all moved to BBC WM, the local BBC speech station. Les Ross was the UK's longest-serving breakfast presenter when he retired from the job in 2002. Tom Ross also found fame on the station when it began broadcasting live commentary of West Midlands football and Premiership matches. Ian Crocker, now a commentator on Setanta Sports (and previously Sky Sports), was also involved in the coverage early on.

Xtra AM

In 1989, and as a response to government disapproval of the simulcasting of programming on both FM and mediumwave, a sister station was launched on the 1152 kHz frequency. Xtra AM became BRMB's 'gold' service, playing classic hits, while BRMB itself began to cater for a younger audience. Xtra AM was on the air for nine years until the majority of its programming was switched to London, where it was simulcast with Capital Gold.

Studio information

Location

BRMB was originally based in Aston Road North, in the Aston area of Birmingham, near the Spaghetti Junction. These were the former Alpha Television Studios, the home of ATV and ABC Weekend Television until 1970. The current headquarters are based in the Brindleyplace development, off Broad Street in Birmingham city centre.

Frequencies

BRMB is available on DAB Digital Radio in the Birmingham area, live on the Internet, and on 96.4 FM Stereo.

Tag lines

In January 2007, BRMB dropped the tagline "Always a better song, always a better mix" and reverted to the previous tag line "Today's best music". They recently started a "Big Listen" promotion that surveyed opinion from their listeners. One of the major discoveries from this was that listeners didn't like the same music titles being played repetitively. Subsequently, they have introduced a "No Repeats" promotion whereby they promise not to repeat a track between 9:00am and 3:00pm on a weekday. Anyone hearing a breach of this rule can ring a hotline number and win £10,000.

On April 7 2008, BRMB altered their music and branding, to a policy similar to that of sister station Capital 95.8. An increase in current chart hits is notable, along with the tagline "Birmingham's Hit Music Station".

Events

Notable events in BRMB's history have included: the annual BRMB Walkathon, BRMB's Aston Road studios being almost taken over by Irish activists and the station being fined £15,000 for injuring contestants in a game show which involved sitting on a block of dry ice. One contestant taking part in the dry ice competition received 18% burns to her legs and thighs.

Two Strangers and a Wedding

The station also attracted much controversy in 1999 with its Two Strangers and a Wedding competition, in which they endeavoured to find two complete strangers who were prepared to legitimately marry, despite never having met before. Although there was no "prize" as such, the "couple" were given items such as a car and luxury apartment to use during the length of their 'marriage'.

The wedding took place, despite much criticism of the stunt, although the couple split up soon afterwards. The bride then went on to have a long-term relationship with the late night presenter at the time - Jezza, who now presents The Jeremy Kyle Show on ITV1.

Concerts

BRMB originally launched the annual Party in the Park pop concert in 1995 to raise funds for local charities. Such was its success, however, it became an annual event, attracting major pop acts, such as the Spice Girls, Jamiroquai, and Daniel Bedingfield. Party in the Park was not held in 2006, leading to confusion over whether the concert had been axed by BRMB. This is despite the 2004 concert attracting approximately 30,000 people to watch music artists such as Sugababes and Lionel Richie perform.

Walkathon

BRMB also organises an annual walkathon to raise money for Help a Local Child, a charity that raises money for underprivileged and disadvantaged children in Birmingham. It was originally 26 miles, however, this was shortened due to the number of participators dropping out. In September 2007, the walkathon was reduced to 11 miles. It also attracted few walkers than previous years, although the station still succeeded in raising money for charity.

Breakfast presenter changes

In February 2007, Elliott Webb, the main anchor of the station's breakfast show was told his services were no longer required, with the station opting for a re-shuffle. Elliott had been with BRMB for 10 years, taking over the breakfast slot after Les Ross in 2002. Co-host Caroline Martin took over as main presenter from Elliott. Elliott's removal from the breakfast show caused widespread condemnation from fans and listeners.

The local newspaper, the Birmingham Evening Mail, published an article claiming Caroline Martin only got the job because she lives with the Programme Controller Adam Bridge. This led to an on-air rant about the article by Caroline one morning. She also denied reports that Elliott left due to them not seeing eye-to-eye.

On 14 February 2007, Adam Bridge decided he would reinstate Elliott as Breakfast Presenter, and Caroline and Elliott were once again reunited. It is rumoured on various media forums that the changes - and subsequent media controversy - was a deliberate ploy to get the station into the public eye.

For the first time since Global Radio launched the Galaxy radio network in the Birmingham area, Galaxy 102.2 has overtaken BRMB in listening figures.

The BRMB Breakfast show with Elliott and Caroline will see more changes. The Thousand Pound Minute feature got dropped on the morning of the show on April 4 2008. Elliott announced that they were adding new features to the show. The Bong Game will return for breakfast only. This is the game where callers listen to the prize money being totalled and have to say 'stop' before a gong sounds. If they do not say it before the gong, they do not win any money. The game returned on April 14 2008. The name Big Brum Breakfast has also now been dropped.

2008 Sale

On 8th August 2008, it was confirmed that due to competition 'conflict of interests' BRMB would be sold by Global Radio, along with other West Midlands owned GCap/Global stations Mercia FM , Wyvern FM, and Beacon Radio. The buyers will be announced following a public consultation.