O2 to sponsor Network Chart

Mobile phone brand O2 is poised to take over as the sponsor of commercial radio’s Network Chart Show, when Pepsi’s contract ends on December 31.

The Capital Radio sales team, which holds advertising and sponsorship contracts for the charts, has also been in talks with a number of companies, including a confectionery brand and a retailer. Pepsi decided against renewing its nine-year contract, worth more than &£1.75m, in August (MW August 22).

Capital Radio, Chrysalis Group, GWR and Scottish Radio Holdings will take over the running of the charts from the Commercial Radio Companies Association in January. The four groups signed a three-year deal with Unique, the production division of UBC Media, to produce the show in October.

The three-hour show will be broadcast on 94 nationwide commercial stations and will go head on against EMAP’s new Smash Hits! Chart Show, which starts on January 5, as well as the new Radio 1 Top 40, which is being relaunched on February 9. Rajar figures show the Network Chart reaches about 3.5 million listeners and Radio’s Top 40 reaches 2.5 million.

The Smash Hits! Chart Show, which will be presented by former Radio 1 Top 40 presenter Mark Goodier, will be an interactive chart that listeners and viewers of the Smash Hits! channel will be able to influence. Fans will be able to phone, text or e-mail the show while it is on air to vote for which of the top-five tracks should top the chart.