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Penk’s radio revolution
Date published: 05 September 2008
TV and radio personality Steve Penk has bought Oldham radio station 96.2 The Revolution.
The station, which is based at the Sarah Moor Studios, Henshaw Street, was previously jointly owned by Oldham Evening Chronicle owners Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd and UKRD.
Mr Penk, now the sole owner of the station on 96.2FM, made his name at Manchester station Key 103 and is renowned for wind up and prank calls in a career that includes stints at Capital Radio and Virgin.
He also branched out into TV, presenting “TV Nightmares” and “TV’s Naughtiest Blunders”.
Mr Penk said: “ I just want to make it very mainstream and fun and entertaining and take on the big boys.”
Comments
If the last two weeks are anything to go by, the station is doomed. No emphasis on local issues and banal, trite and awful presenters. We left the 80s behind a long time ago, Penky. Move on.
I concur with Rock Lobster , Revolution stood out nationwide for the variety and quality of the music it played .
I fear that now the station will be reduced to a "You've Been Framed"
All the hard work done by Mani , Cottee , Coogs , Clint etc , will be lost :( , cheers to you guys for the years of QUALITY music , looks like it is time to move on :(
I concur with Rock Lobster , Revolution stood out nationwide for the variety and quality of the music it played .
I fear that now the station will be reduced to a "You've Been Framed"
All the hard work done by Mani , Cottee , Coogs , Clint etc , will be lost :( , cheers to you guys for the years of QUALITY music , looks like it is time to move on :(
The whole point in the Revolution is that it's not strictly mainstream and we don't have to suffer the same playlists over and over again. The audience normally get a degree of variety and a bit less of the mindless DJ chatter and non stop ads. I'd better say cheers to Cottee now. Somehow I can't see the best thing on the Revolution surviving in Mr Penk's mainstream world of clone radio. Still, there's always the OFF switch.
I have already moved on and switched to XFM, but it's not as good. Revolution's new DJs are awful. I will move back if Steve Penk brings back it's originality, but if it continues with the mind numbing mainstream music the only thing it will be good for is curing insomniacs.
What's happened over the last 10 years of commercial radio has been disgraceful. Identikit stations, playlists (the very word "playlist" sends a shiver down my spine), presenters, promotions...boring, boring, boring. Revolution bucked the trend, it was THE only local radio station that was listenable to. Many listeners like myself outside the area never showed up on the rajar figures. Memo to Mr Penk, if you play the kind of drivel that's been on 96.7 this week, you are on a loser.
This is a disaster. Why go for Radio Bland when the market is already saturated with that rubbish ? The opposition to this across Greater Manchester is far, far stronger than you think Mr Penk. Vive La Republic !
96.2 The Revolution was a radio station listeners really cared about. The way the listeners have been treated is terrible - we've been treated with contempt!
It's been said that The Rev was failing, but the research figures are wrong! I live in South Manchester and I listened for several hours every day! I'm so upset and angry about this. I won't be listening to The Revolution ever again. Viva the Republic!
Mr Penk is going to have to work very hard to build his new business as I would be very shocked if any of the Rev listeners continue, I can't imagine anyone is still listening a couple of weeks in.
Viva la Republic
I can accept that the Revolution was loosing listeners. But having heard the new revolution I can honestly say I won't ever bother listening again. Generic DJ's who've probably only been in the North-West for a few weeks, no focus on local events and bands. Its bassically a poor man's Key 103.
Who is going to listen to this 'new' station? 99% of the old listeners will simply switch over to XFM, Rock FM, BBC Radio 6 and the specialist shows like Zane Lowe on Radio 1.
The audience being targetted by Steve Penk already have Radio 1, Galaxy, Key 103 even Century FM. I can't see room in the market for another mainstream North-West radio station (even with 'prankster' Steve Penk).
The Revolution once put Oldham on the map. Now it's just the same old town with the same radio station as everywhere else. Only WORSE because the Rev was so unique and Oldham should be ashamed it has lost such a gem.
The Revolution is over.... Lets all make this into a Republic!!!
As if there aren't enough tripe radio stations playing the same old turgid nonsense. The Revolution did exactly what it said on the tin - brought about a new type of station for the people who would prefer to listen to real music, rather than the Simon Cowell playlists adhered to on "Mainstream" stations. The "Amazing man" can keep his insipid ideas to himself and enjoy the wilderness that his listener base has become.
Vive la Republic!
Well, another unique, maverick station is lost and replaced by an identikit local commercial station, which are ten a penny the nation over. I think Mr Penk will soon realise that he has made a very poor business decision. The lack of positive comments on this article speaks volumes me thinks.
Viva la Republic!!
Down with Penks Revolution...you are yesterdays news GIVE US OUR STATION BACK!!!!
what ever you do don't 'p' off the listeners as they're the ones who listen to the adverts who pay your wages - oh you have done!
Could the follow up to TV’s Naughtiest Blunders be 'Radio's Most Expensive Blunder - i hope so.
What on earth makes you think that you'll tempt listeners from the North West's countless 'Mogadon FM's'
lets build a republic
TO all the people going on and on about the old rev96.2 get over it. its dead and has been for years.
Steve Penk is good at the job he does and i wish him all the best. after all its a business so please stop going on and on about the old Rev.why not go to xfm it could do some of you good. can anyone be happy for Mr Penk.some of the comments on here are crap.get over it and get a life
roll on the all new Rev 96.2...
ALL THE BEST PENK
OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW
Have Your Say
You've ruined our local radio station! You want to go mainstream and play at being a boss with the big boys? Buy Key 103 instead then! You've taken the variety out of listening to the radio!
By Rock Lobster @ 05/09/2008 12:45:12