98.4 Capital FM
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Broadcast area | Nairobi |
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Frequency | 98.4 MHz |
Programming | |
Format | Contemporary |
Ownership | |
Owner | Chris Kirubi |
Technical information | |
Repeater(s) | 93.0 Western Kenya 98.5 Nakuru 98.4 Mombasa 98.5 Nyeri 103.9 Meru |
Links | |
Website | www.capitalfm.co.ke |
98.4 Capital FM (or simply Capital FM) is a Kenyan urban music radio station. Its offices are situated on the 19th floor of Lonrho House, along Standard Street in Nairobi's Central Business District. It is owned by businessmanChris Kirubi.
Background
Established in 1996, Capital FM plays a mixture of hip hop, RnB, rock, neo soul, new jack swing, jazz, techno, dance and Kenyan music. It has firmly positioned itself as the station of choice among the upper- and middle classes of Kenyan society. The brain behind the Capital FM Nairobi's early success was Linda Holt, its first Managing Director. She's now the CEO of Red Sky, an advertising agency. She famously fell out with Caroline Mutoko, the presenter accusing her of "limiting her potential" and leaving in a huff for Kiss 100.
Capital FM's Talent Search shows exposed the likes of Nameless to Kenya.98.4 Capital FM was a real brand during the Linda Holt days and spared no effort in staying true and tuned in to its brand.
Capital FM now caters to Mombasa, Western Kenya, as well as the international community, via its new website. It was the second FM station to be opened after 101.9 Metro FM shortly after the liberalization of Kenyan airwaves, and although several other FM stations have continued to crop up, catering to all tastes, 98.4 Capital FM continues to be a popular station especially among the middle-class and upper-class markets. The presenters are large, engaging personalities who play a mixture of Hip Hop, RnB, Rock, Neo Soul, New Jack Swing, World Music, Jazz, Techno and Dance music, transcending gender, all age groups, backgrounds and cultural boundaries (see the Show Schedule below.) Capital FM was the first ever Kenyan station to play Rock music- and has continuously been dubbed- the home and only home of the best rock music.
Due to its longevity in the market, Capital FM has the highest advertising revenue among FM radio stations in the country.[citation needed]
Presenters
Many of Kenya’s biggest radio presenters all began at Capital FM — which has earned it the slogan — the home of nurturing radio talent. These include:
- Phil Matthews- head of The radio academy
- Sean Cardovillis - now working in Seychelles
- Jimmi Gathu - lead breakfast TV presenter at Citizen TV
- Caroline Mutoko -Marketing Manager at Kiss FM
- Zain Verjee - Anchor now with CNN
- Jo Thoernes - breakfast presenter in the UK
- Patricia Amira - of the Patricia show at KBC
- Alex Belfield - a radio DJ from the UK
- Fareed Khimani -a radio presenter at 105.5 X fm Nairobi and a presenter at Studio 53 an M-net production
- Seanice Kacungira- a businesswoman in Kampala, Uganda
- Eve D'Souza
- Gaetano Kagwa-a Ugandan personality who gained fame due to his participation in the Big Brother Africa competition
- Nini Wacera
- Italia Masiero
- Preety aka Herpreet Jaswal
- dj.Dr.Vey represent house music in kenya
.The biggest morning show was hosted by Fareed Khimani and Seanice Kacungira. From 2006-2009, these two enjoyed a large share of the market.
In November 2010, Eve D'Souza and her breakfast show co-host Gaetano Kagwa resigned from the station. The two were brought in to help revive the station's plunging ratings in the prime time show after the exit of Fareed and Seanice. Gaetano failed to gel with the Kenyan audience. As for Eve, she felt it was time to spread her wings after being with the station for 10 years
As of November 2010, the Star Presenters at Capital FM with their respective daily shows on air are listed below:
- Chris Foot – Capital In The Morning Monday to Friday from 6 am to 10 am morning show targeting the mature adult top 40 Music format.
- Italia and Kui and DJ CK – The FuseMonday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm The best in rock music.
- Radioactive- Monday to Friday from 2pm to 3pm Dj mixes from our top deejays at Capital fm.
- Cess and Maqbul – The Jam Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm (Thematic music every day.)
- Joey and Soulo – Hits not HomeworkMonday to Thursday from 7 pm to 10 pm The best hit music rap, hip-hop and crunk, young adult themed content.
- Chao – After Hours Monday to Thursday from 10pm to 1amThe best r’n’b and slow jams..TALK SHOW tackling your issues.
- The Quiet Storm-Tuesday to Friday from 5am to 6am A blend of gospel hits, Dj based.
- The Heat- Fridays from 7pm to 9pm Most requested tracks of the week.
- Dance Republic- Fridays from 9pm to 11pm with DJ Protege , mix of dance trance and techno
- Saturday breakfast- Saturdays from 7am to 10am Rock music at its best in the morning with Rae
- Rick Dees Weekly Top 40- Saturdays from 10am to 2pm Syndicated- the hits and the jokes
- Saturday music and sports-Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm Its all about the latest sports with Eddy Kimani, Charles Kiarie, Archer Mishale
- The Cypher- Saturdays from 5pm to 7pm & Sundays 11p.m. to 1 a.m. A blend of the best hip hop the world has to offer with Joe Muchiri.
- World groove - Saturdays from 7pm to 9pm A mix of afro fusion
- Club Capital- DJ CK % DR.VEY Saturdays from 9pm to 11pm House, electro and funk
- Wheelz of steel- Saturdays from 11pm to 1am Dj mix hip hop and club hits
- The Sound- Sundays from 6am to 10am Local gospel dj show
- The Lounge- Sundays from 10am to 12pm Best of Neo- soul
- The Hit List- Sundays from 12pm to 3pm Syndicated
- Soul Groove- Sundays from 3pm to 5pm Soul mix
- One love reggae- Sundays from 5pm to 7pm Mix of the best reggae with Ras Luigi
- Capital jazz club - Sundays from 7pm to 9pm Its all about Jazz with Jack Ojiambo
- Smooth classics- Sundays from 9pm to 11pm The best in classical music
- Infused- Sundays from 11pm to 1am Gospel mix with Dj Tony
Capital Digital Media (CDM)
Capital Digital Media is a website which offers live radio streaming from 98.4 Capital FM, blogs, live chat, News and more.