The Network Chart story - 1984
Episode 151, Sep 28, 2011, 10:31 PM
Commercial radio once involved a patchwork quilt of stations owned by many proudly independent companies. The network knew, however that without some major UK-wide programming offerings, agencies for major consumer brands would not identify radio as being of value as an advertising medium - and national revenues would never achieve their potential. Single, clearly defined programmes such as a chart would provide such a vehicle.
Kid Jensen hosted the 'Network Chart' initially in 1984. It was to attract a long term sponsor in Nescafe. As the programme evolved and changed host, Pepsi was to come on board. The regulator was then persuaded that the chart could simply be 'the Pepsi chart', rather than the laborious 'brought to you in association with (brand)' which the IBA had previously insisted upon as it tried to widen the loophole to allow such funding.
Sunday evening audiences had been owned by the BBC for years, with the chart show on Radio 1 - and also broadcast on Radio 2's FM frequencies. Commercial radio was, in time, able to seize that daypart and achieve higher audiences.
Grab Kid's new candid autobiography now - out in November 2020. Pre-order limited edition now: https://www.littlewingbooks.com/products/kid-jensen-for-the-record-pre-order
Kid Jensen hosted the 'Network Chart' initially in 1984. It was to attract a long term sponsor in Nescafe. As the programme evolved and changed host, Pepsi was to come on board. The regulator was then persuaded that the chart could simply be 'the Pepsi chart', rather than the laborious 'brought to you in association with (brand)' which the IBA had previously insisted upon as it tried to widen the loophole to allow such funding.
Sunday evening audiences had been owned by the BBC for years, with the chart show on Radio 1 - and also broadcast on Radio 2's FM frequencies. Commercial radio was, in time, able to seize that daypart and achieve higher audiences.
Grab Kid's new candid autobiography now - out in November 2020. Pre-order limited edition now: https://www.littlewingbooks.com/products/kid-jensen-for-the-record-pre-order