was owned by Daily Mail and General Trust plc (majority share), various asset management firms, Sir Peter Michael and other small shareholders. Until the merger, the group was chaired by Ralph Bernard and its head office was in Passage Street, Bristol. During its existence, GWR acquired the Marcher Radio Group, Mid Anglia Radio Group, Chiltern Radio Group and East Anglian Radio Group to name but a few. Key dates 1981: Wiltshire Radio is founded. 1982: Wiltshire Radio begins broadcasting. 1985: Wiltshire Radio merges with Radio West to form GWR. 1987: GWR Group goes public. 1988: GWR joins Classic FM partnership. 1992: Classic FM begins broadcasting. 1996: GWR acquires full control of Classic FM. 1998: GWR wins Digital One license. 1999: Digital One begins broadcasting; launches Internet radio broadcasts. 2000: GWR acquires DMG Radio. Programming GWR attempted to revolutionise local radio with its policy of branding its stations with similar phrases, initially "today's better music mix", later "today's best mix" and "the best mix of the 80s, 90s and today." This allowed it to syndicate a number of programmes across its network of radio stations. It had four main syndicated programmes: a weekday mid-morning programme which started in 2008 hosted by Phillippa Collins (this show was only carried on a few stations, when taken over by Global radio the show was rolled out to all stations), a weeknightly music and showbiz based programme (formerly called 'Core Control' and then 'Music Control') (weekdays 7 pm to 10 pm) presented by Kam and Sally, Kam was replaced by Kevin Hughes, 'Late Night Love' (Sunday to Thursday 10pm to 1am) presented by Graham Torrington (later the show was replaced by 'the wind down' presented by Cat James) and Music On Demand (1am till Breakfast, 7 days a week) presented by Tony Wright (Now Celador Radio), then James Clayton and latterly Dan Wood (now Gem) and at weekends Andy Henly. On Friday and Saturday evenings the network splits, with most stations taking Non-Stop Party (Friday 10pm to 1am) and Party Anthems (Saturday 7pm to 10pm) while the other stations take School Daze (Friday 10 pm to 1 am) and Hairbrush Divas (Saturday 7 pm to 10 pm). All stations then take a Non-Stop Party show (Saturday 10 pm to 1 am). GCap – The merged company The two groups officially "tied the knot" on 9th May 2005, with GCap employees being given branded 'GCap' digital