Product Code Database
Heart South is a regional radio station owned and operated by Global Group as part of the Heart network. It broadcasts to the south and south east of England.
The station launched on 3 June 2019 as a result of a merger between four sister stations: Heart Solent, Heart Kent, Heart Sussex and Surrey and Heart Thames Valley. The station ceased on 21 February 2025.
Previously, these licences broadcast as separate stations:
Ocean Sound's West service was split off into Power FM in December 1988 - with the parent service, later known was Ocean FM continuing for the East and North areas.
In 1992, Ocean merged with Southern Sound (latterly Southern FM) to form the Southern Radio Group with the two stations largely sharing output. The company went onto purchase Invicta Radio in 1992, before being brought by Capital Radio plc in 1994.
By 2005, all seven stations entered common ownership when GWR Group merged with Capital to form GCap Media, which in turn was taken over by Global in 2008.
In 2009, six of the stations were rebranded as part of a rollout of the Heart network across 29 local radio stations owned by Global. Fox FM and 2-Ten FM relaunched in March, followed by 2CR, Invicta, Ocean FM, Southern FM. By this point, local programming had been reduced to ten hours on weekdays and four hours at weekends.
During the summer of 2010, Global merged six of the stations into three - with Mercury FM joining the Heart network as a result:
Heart Kent retained its local programming - but across all stations, local output was further cut to seven hours on weekdays. Localised news bulletins, traffic updates and advertising continued to air as opt-outs.
On 26 February 2019, following OFCOM's decision to relax local content obligations from commercial radio, Global announced it would merge the four stations in the South and South East into one. Global to network Capital, Heart and Smooth breakfast shows, RadioToday, 26 February 2019
From 3 June 2019, regional programming consisted of three hours on weekdays, alongside localised news bulletins, traffic updates and advertising. Amanda Holden to join Jamie Theakston for Heart UK Breakfast, Radio Today, 29 April 2019 Local breakfast and weekend shows were replaced with network programming from London.
Global's studio centres in Portslade, Reading and Whitstable were closed, although local newsgathering and sales staff were retained. Across the four stations, fourteen local presenters left the Heart network. Heart Drivetime show presenters announced by Global, Radio Today, 20 May 2019
As of 24 February 2025 all programming originates from Global's London headquarters, including Heart Drive, presented each weekday by JK and Kelly Brook. Global introduces new ‘nations strategy’ and drops local and regional shows in England, Roy Martin, Radio Today, 9 January 2025 National presenters confirmed for Heart, Capital and Smooth in England, Roy Martin, Radio Today, 5 February 2025 Global confirms new nationwide radio shows for Heart, Capital & Smooth, Global, 5 February 2025
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