[IainJohnstonMember]

Andi: “BUT how many stations across the years have had similar packages and melodies”
Yes- especially early-1970s USA when the TM Phase II and the Drake/Mann Series 1 had the
same logo and 3-note style (as did many small-producer cloners) – those though were “standard”
series packages, as were plenty of JAM cuts in the UK – but say Heart in Birmingham (the proper
Heart that is) would have sounded daft with jingles sounding very close to those of say BRMB,
even if from the same producer – thats why US jingle companies (usually) maintain a “unique
broadcast rights in your market” policy.

This situation involves two “Custom” packages directly commissioned by stations that have TSA
overlap in some ILR areas – and the “big boys” should surely have “done their homework” first
to ensure thay they were'nt trampling upon their smaller individual competitors?

“Could it just be an April Fool?”

Its “traditional” for an April Fool “prank” to only be “valid” until midday duringApril 1st,
after which umbrage can be taken if one is still being subjected to the “gag”. :^)

Not for it to be running for two full days beforehand and then continuing after midday
on the 1st! I'm sure Penk would have removed his “reaction” with a Manchester-equivalent of
“awa' ye gowk!” if he was winding-up any winders-up?

Having now heard ALL this audio that's appearing from different places, I think Music4
have boobed – someone there must surely have heard the Kingdom/Rev stuff some
where and its subliminally stuck in the back of their mind to be regurgitated when
they scored this “new” logo/package (just like “the ASDA tune” logo…)

Lets all sing a quick chorus of “My Sweet Lord” / “He's So Fine”…. :^)

[NickySMember]

Wixy1360 wrote:
Having now heard ALL this audio that's appearing from different places, I think Music4
have boobed – someone there must surely have heard the Kingdom/Rev stuff some
where and its subliminally stuck in the back of their mind to be regurgitated when
they scored this “new” logo/package (just like “the ASDA tune” logo…)

Lets all sing a quick chorus of “My Sweet Lord” / “He's So Fine”…. :^)

I can't believe Music4 or Real Radio would have said oh let's do the same logo as TM have – that would be stupid – neither have anything to gain from doing that. If you listen to the Music4 Ultimate stuff I posted the link to you can hear the similarity. And no doubt both the logos are probably based on some old music track – so much stuff is.

[cserpentuk]

It definitely had headers on that page before about The Revolution being annoyed about Real's new package – however, was it a wind up?

[Admin]

It's not an April Fool!

The owner of North West radio station 96.2FM The Revolution is furious at the apparent attempt by a rival to copy his station’s jingles.

Steve Penk, who became famous nationally for his trademark ‘wind-up’ phone calls, bought the station last September and immediately re-launched it with a new line-up of presenters, a fresh, hit-based music policy and a specially produced set of jingles.
“It’s universally recognised in the radio business that each station needs an instantly-recognisable ‘sonic logo’”, explains Steve. “I paid handsomely to obtain a new jingle package incorporating a really strong five-syllable musical ‘hook’. After looking around I commissioned my package from the long-established jingle specialist TM Century in Dallas and was delighted with what they produced for me. Because radio is so competitive in our region I signed an agreement which gave me exclusivity in the North West”.

When Steve was alerted to a series of internet forum postings highlighting the similarity between The Revolution’s jingles and those of a newly-launched station, ‘Real Radio’, he investigated, and was incensed by what he discovered.
“When I first heard them I was convinced that someone was winding me up”, says Steve. It’s like they’d listened to our jingles and just ripped them off, it’s as simple as that. They’ve taken our unique, five syllable sequence of notes and attempted to make the four syllables in the words ‘Real Radio’ fit – which they clearly don’t”.

The new station’s package allegedly contains an almost identical range of styles and treatments to that of The Revolution – but it was produced by a UK-based company. Steve says he is not prepared to allow his station’s identity to be plagiarised and has alerted TM Century, which is in the process of seeking legal advice on the matter. Now a David versus Goliath battle seems likely as one man band Penk prepares to take on the mighty Guardian Media Group the owner of ‘Real Radio’ which launched on Monday.

[ratnobMember]

Good luck to Penk on this one. It's an outrageous rip-off that tells us everything about the lack of originality of some of our UK producers. Shameless.

[mbMember]

Why didn't Real just buy the package from TM Studios?

[cserpentuk]

They obviously thought they were getting something new and unique from Music4 – when in reality they've ended up with something not dissimilar to Kingdom/Rev's TM set.

TM wouldn't be able to sell them to GMG as they operate in Kingdom/Rev's TSA.

[Barras]

cserpentuk wrote:
I have to say Ben Weston made a rather true comment on air to me yesterday… it's the last day of Century [yesterday]… until they do another rebrand in a few years!

Good listen cserpentuk, thanks for that…

Forgetting about the jingles for the moment (shock, horror !) but it`s good to hear an ex-colleague of mine & Chris Stevens (TM Dallas) on Real Radio North-East…the one and only Mr Phil Holmes !

Phil has been standing in for Jonathan Morrel this week and it`s good to hear Phil back on the North-East airwaves. Not sure if you`ll read this post or not Phil…I`m not gonna mention anything about falling asleep on-the-air !

[cserpentuk]

I don't know if you were listening, but Ben played the first weather broadcast that Century ever played!

Yes Phill has been on for the past 3 weeks, firstly covering for Lisa Shaw, then these 2 weeks for Jonathan Morrell.

I have been tempted to call up during the 'Golden' hour and remind him not to fall asleep when he's playing a certain 90s year

[robertpobjoy]

Can I say Phil Holmes is certainly a breath of fresh air compared to Lisa Shaw!!

From The Rev's press release above, it seems as if they are seeking for TM Studios to take legal advice? I do wish them all the best!

[robertpobjoy]

Just sitting working late, have Real on tonight…

The bloke in for Jude tonight said after the 1am Weather:

“God I love that (sings) Real Radio Weather (speaks) its so damned camp!”

Made me chortle. The sarcasm in his voice! I guess some presenters don't like the package much either!

[brooky148]

The other night at 9pm and 11pm, David Heane played the old weather jingles on Real Yorkshire!

[fredgreek]

NickyS wrote:
Also on the sounding the same issue – I think the Wise Buddah Hallam FM News Cut sounds like the Music4 BBC London logo ..
http://www.wisebuddah.com/?p=jingle&cat=14&client=150

I see (or hear!) what you mean.

When I first saw the new Wise Buddah site I listened to these jingles and thought they sounded familiar, but I couldn't work out why.

[789]

It should still be, Mitch Johnson

but in scotland we also get a woman called Jenny Fanshis( she used to be dj on scot fm, but she still does alot of work for Real radio scotland and adverts.

[GordonSharpe]

So I'm looking to get a jingle package for a new community station. We've used Devaweb in the past, and Chris is now supplying material from TM's catalogue. I hear Kingdom FM, like it, and start fitting words to the audio. Then, for the first time in weeks, I was in a car with Real Radio on – horror, I hear their new jingles, very much like the ones I'm working on. So, I do some digging, end up here, and this discussion.
I am very tempted to stick with my gut feeling and go with the Kingdom package, and see how many complaints we get about ripping off Real's “new” jingles!.
Now I know the background I'll just smile happily. I think the TM ones are crisper anyway.

[cserpentuk]

I've grown used to them now tbh, more punchier than the Bespoke ones, but I definitely still prefer Bespoke's.

Did anyone ever get the Century to Real changeover for the NE that can be posted?

[brooky148]

I have the switch over for the NW if thats any help:

[cserpentuk]

Yeah got that one thanks Brooky from your earlier post. Just with the NE being the original station I'd hoped something more substantial happened.

[Author]

Posts