Snoddy Sums Up A Tumultuous Year In Radio

Journalist and broadcaster, Ray Snoddy, gave delegates at the 2005 Radio Festival in Edinburgh an informative and entertaining look over the past year in radio this afternoon, as well as making predictions for what 2006 holds for the radio industry.

First to be given a “sideways” look was the merger between GWR and Capital Radio, creating GCap Media. Snoddy commented that the deal had “destroyed a record amount of shareholder value, with the drop of £250 million since May a touch unfortunate.”

He looked at the sale of Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) to Emap (see Emap Snaps Up SRH For £391 Million) and predicted that Scottish Media Group (SMG) would probably be sold before Christmas.

Moving on, Snoddy commented on Kelvin Mackenzie’s recent antics within the radio industry, describing the radio veteran as being, “legged over by Murdoch one more time.”

The changing faces presenting the nation’s radio stations were also the topic of discussion for Snoddy, with the journalist commenting on Christian O’Connell’s departure from Xfm (see Virgin Signs O’Connell As New Breakfast Host) and the switch from Chris Tarrant to Johnny Vaughan at Capital FM (see Vaughan Given Start Date as Capital’s Breakfast Host).

“The rates go up as revenues fall,” Snoddy said. “The BBC are so much smarter to have compulsory licence fees rather than be dependent on radio advertising. However, I don’t have much to say about them, the BBC just keep maintaining their 10% share over commercial.”

Touching on the success of UK Radio Aid (see

Radio Aid On Course To Raise £4 Million

Radio Aid On Course To Raise £4 Million www.radioacademy.org