Bauer Media has unveiled a proposal for Greatest Hits Radio to gain FM coverage in London. Following recent national expansion and the announcement of an exciting new national Drivetime show with Simon Mayo, Bauer has applied to reallocate the 105.8 FM frequency to the brand.

This would mean that London’s 12.2 million radio listeners could soon have greater opportunity to enjoy the much anticipated drivetime show, as well as programmes from nationally known presenters including Mark Goodier, Pat Sharp, Janice Long, Paul Gambaccini and Jenny Powell.

Absolute Radio is to take the next important step in its evolution as it moves off FM in London. As home to three of the UK’s Top Ten digital-only commercial stations*, Absolute Radio is already commercial radio’s clear digital listening market leader. With a huge 70% of listening being derived from digital platforms, the brand has succeeded in converting more and more of its audience to listen digitally.

Now offering greater choice to its ‘gig and guitar loving’ audience, Absolute Radio is to expand the network by giving Country Hits Radio a makeover and reintroducing it as Absolute Radio Country. As the home of the biggest Country artists, the station’s brilliant line-up of presenters including Baylen Leonard and Una Healy will feel right at home in the network where ‘Real Music Matters’.

Absolute Radio will also bring even more choice to listeners in London, with Absolute Radio 00s added to DAB, while Absolute Radio 70s and Absolute Radio 10s will gain DAB+ coverage in the capital. Listeners will also to benefit from more of the network’s award-winning original programming and formats, as the brand invests in further development of original podcast series’ and documentaries.

Speaking about the changes, Dee Ford, Group Managing Director, Bauer Radio UK said “We are constantly seeking ways to grow our audiences. The original digital commercial radio innovator, Absolute Radio is home to three top ten digital stations and has been pioneering in this space for over a decade. Continuing to drive us forward digitally, the much-loved network will bring its digitally savvy audience even greater choice with Absolute Radio Country. Accelerating Greatest Hits Radio’s growth by making it more widely available in London, we’re excited to further unlock the network’s huge potential in 2021.”

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• Q1 2020 – Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Classic Rock