The Big Top 40

1984-1993
Presented by David 'Kid' Jenson, the Network Chart Show launched across Independent Local Radio in the UK on 30 September 1984, sponsored by Nescafe. A change of sponsor, presenter (Neil 'Dr' Fox) and programme maker (the original show was produced by Capital Radio whilst the new show was made by Unique Broadcasting) saw a change in name which commenced on August 1st 1993.

No logo is known to exist.

????-2003


The last chart was broadcast on December 29th 2002. Pepsi withdrew their sponsorship and the following week, saw two rival commercial radio chart shows - The Hit 40 UK & the Emap produced Smash Hits Chart.

2003-2007


This show was produced in-house by Emap and broadcast from its Kiss studios in London. It was broadcast on all the local Emap FM stations in the North of England, the Kiss service in London, The Hits & Smash Hits DAB services (which were also on Freeview) and on Wave 105 in the Solent area. It was also carried on other local/regional networks including GMG's Real Radio services & GWR's FM local services. Within a year, the Real Radio stations had ditched the Smash Hits Chart.

Two years after its initial launch (2005), GWR had merged with Capital Radio with the former GWR stations switching to the rival Hit 40 UK chart massively reducing the shows potential listener numbers.

Emap eventually conceded defeat in 2007 and switched to the Hit 40 UK programme.

2003-2008


The former Pepsi Chart was rebranded as the Hit 40 UK. The show had a new sponsor in Woolworths (sales from their stores formed part of the chart). The show was a joint venture between Capital Radio Group & Chrysalis Radio and produced by Somethin' Else productions. There would be other show sponsors after Woolworths went bust.

The programme was carried on all Capital local/regional stations along with Chrysalis' Galaxy & Heart services, along with the Local Radio Company's network of stations.

Global Radio started producing the show in-house from 2007.

2008-2009


The last radio broadcast as the Hit 40 UK was on June 14th 2009. It was replaced by The Big Top 40 Show although the TV version still aired on 4 Music, The Box & Smash Hits before it was renamed UK Hot 40.

2009-present


A new show sponsor (Vodafone), this show claims to be the first real-time chart ever to be broadcast in the United Kingdom. It broadcasts on 140 local & regional commercial radio stations across the country.

The first show was broadcast on Sunday 14 June 2009 at 4pm.

The show is produced by Global Radio.