1660: Banbury Sound, Rugby FM, Touch closes - 2019

Published: Nov. 30, 2019, 11:01 a.m.

29th November 2019 saw another tranche of brand changes as the Touch stations, Rugby FM and Banbury Sound closed - ready to become Capital under a brand agreement between Global and the station owners Quidem.
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\nFor the industry, it was a move which might have been predicted some years ago. The rationale is well-rehearsed and the evidence for change reasonably solid in a fast-changing world. Powerful radio brands are one of the reasons why UK commercial\xa0 radio is in good health with both audiences and revenues.\xa0
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\n"I suppose it is a 'Black Friday' for me..."
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\nNevertheless, for those who grew up with the stations - and for those who have appeared on them, it is of course a hugely sad moment. Here, enjoy some of the goodbyes from the presenters. Hats off particularly to Kirsty with\xa0 her heartfelt farewells - played in split and tailored for each area. Doing it once\xa0 is painful enough. Well done Kirsty.
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\n"I've enjoyed nearly every second of it"
\n"It's been an honour to be in your life"
\n"Thanks to my family listening in to my last show..."
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\nHear too the eerie ten seconds of silence before the warm-up for Capital begins and the legal moment of the start of the brand licence kicks in. Under Capital, the stations will originate a joint regional drive show, providing a new opportunity for Ollie and Simon from Touch, and localised informational segments.
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\n107.6 Banbury Sound (Banbury, Brackley & North Oxfordshire)
\n\xa0107.1 Rugby FM (Rugby)
\n\xa096.2 Touch FM (Coventry)
\n\xa0102 Touch FM (Shakespeare\u2019s County & The Vale)
\n\xa0107.3 Touch FM (Warwick, Leamington & Kenilworth)
\n\xa0101.6/102.4 Touch FM (Tamworth, Burton & Lichfield)