Bauer rebranding 53 stations to The Hits/Greatest Hits

Yes, what I'm asking is how easy that is if the existing network uses, for example, Myriad, but the local one uses VCS? Or if theyre using the same but older versions. They need to get one system to talk to another.

Or would Bauer or Global go into a station they've bought and want to network and swap out the studio systems along with retraining the existing, and outgoing, staff?

I know in the past Global put Genysis into studios which were Galaxy and became Capital. One well known presenter remarked on it looking like Fisher Price My First Playout System.

It looks like there is a common protocol called GPI (General Purpose Interface) that can be used to get these systems to talk to each other, or I guess they could use inaudible tones if they had to? I assume the problem has already been solved for the network chart shows, I can't imagine there are local tech ops playing in ads these days.

GPIs are quite basic relays/direct wired connections, barely a protocol. But yes they are used for one device to trigger another. For example a studio will send out a GPI to turn on the studio on air lights and mute the phone when the microphone is faded up. The old TV playout automation I remember at the BBC sent out GPIs to switch the DOGs on and off or start a backup tape. They're basic on off commands.

I suspect they are used in some cases, with a PC or similar taking the commands from the network studio and then translating them into GPIs that trigger stuff at the local station. They'd presumably be quite crude - play next, stop etc, possibly some ducker for sweepers if that's not automatic

I do believe most (if not all) of the acquired stations are running RCS Zetta. I also think Bauer Manchester are running off that now, it was Dalet(?) for a long time there.

But I think it’s easy to see that this networking from Monday is effecting stations who already had networking capabilities. UKRD stations are exempt from this role out.

Hits Radio Network stations follow a week Monday, apart from Fire in Bournemouth - which has never as part of a network!

The Lincs FM group stations taking GHR are exempt for now as well, so Compass, Rutland and Trax will continue as now with the classic hits playlist produced locally.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/presenters-across-norfolk-radio-stations-face-job-cuts-1-6739948

Town 102 is notable for being the only radio station not to have had its FM license renewed by Ofcom. Its DAB only and I think most of its output is shared with its neighbours anyway.

I suppose its only real value is the DAB slot, it would have no rules over format or local content to fulfill

I'm still curious as to what will be happening to Peak FM (soon to be Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire). I've already mentioned how it's 107.4 transmitter falls under the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire area, and the 102.0 transmitter falls under the Central region. I'm presuming that it'll be a single FM service, but I wonder what will happen regarding DAB. Peak FM has never been broadcast on DAB, but Greatest Hits Radio broadcasts on both Sheffield and Derbyshire local multiplexes.

Will there be two versions of GHR on the Sheffield multiplex? If not, then will it be GHR (South Yorkshire) or GHR (North Derbyshire)?
Will there be two versions of GHR on the Derbyshire multiplex? If not, then will it be GHR (North Derbyshire) or GHR (UK)?
Will GHR (North Derbyshire) be available on DAB at all?

EDIT: And just to add more confusion to the mix, Bauer will also be launching GHR (East Midlands). At least my favourite holiday station, Pirate FM, will be remaining untouched.

When I was reading through the discussion of split links earlier, it reminded me of this video by DJ Rob Howard: https://vm.tiktok.com/JLhkyT9/

It doesn't look complicated, but of course this is Capital and not GHR.

Currently listening to my local station. Whilst Andy Crane is presenting, they're playing different songs to what are otherwise going out on GHR. I was just expecting a standard split link, as opposed to playing different music...

Even in lock-down, this is surely some form of masochism ?

Probably gradually introducing the new playlist by including some songs the old station would have played.

One new GHR station I listened to this morning had the GHR jingles etc just with their name on them. At 9 they all seemed to be doing a Live Aid anniversary 5 songs in a row