March 5th, 2007 - 14:20 UTC by Andy
Talpa Radio has announced that Radio 10 Gold, one of the oldest commercial radio stations in the Netherlands, is to drop the use of the high power mediumwave transmitter on 1008 kHz as part of a cost-cutting exercise. There will also be job losses, and individual discussions are being held with the members of staff affected. There will also be some changes to the format to try and broaden the station’s appeal.
Radio 10 Gold has been in financial difficulties since the loss of its FM frequencies in 2003. Lower listening figures - although the station still has a weekly reach of 1.3 million - have seen a big drop in advertising revenue, made worse by the fact that the audience profile of the station (predominantly 50+) is of relatively little interest to advertisers.
Talpa Radio says that the cost-cutting moves are designed to secure the long-term survival of Radio 10 Gold. It will continue as a station with presenters, and will in future be available on cable, satellite and Internet.
Update 1600 UTC: According to the Dutch news agency ANP, the mediumwave transmitter will be switched off in April. ANP says that about one third of the staff (currently around 20) will be made redundant. We have also confirmed that just two DJ’s, Rene Verkerk and Menno Vroom, will be remaining with the station.
Radio 10 Gold
Radio 10 Gold