Latest news about Absolute Radio

Bauer boss calls for collaboration and respect in radio

Bauer Media UK’s CEO Paul Keenan has called for the whole radio industry to unite so that the sector can continue to prosper, saying there’s never been a better time in commercial radio. He was speaking in the opening session at this year’s RadioDays Europe event in Lausanne, Switzerland – where he also revealed that 40% of Bauer’s streaming of radio in the UK comes from smart speakers.

Frank Skinner marks 10 years on Absolute with 10-hour show

Absolute Radio’s Frank Skinner is taking over the station’s schedule this Saturday to mark a decade on air. He’ll begin his usual show at 8am, but will continue until 6pm by co-hosting slots including Rock n Roll Football and the Indie Disco. Among those joining him on air will be usual co-hosts Emily Dean and Alun Cochrane, as well as his former comedy and singing partner David Baddiel...

KISS and Hits Radio join up for BRIT Awards show

KISS and Hits Radio will be broadcasting live from the BRITs this year with presenters from both networking joining together for a special show. ‘Live at the BRITs’ returns as a three hour show broadcast from 7-10pm on Wednesday evening. Hits Radio’s Sarah Jane Crawford and KISS’ new signing Tyler West will join to host the programme that will feature interviews with some of the event’s performers and nominees, as well as the biggest tracks from this year’s BRIT nominees.

RAJAR Q3 2018: London and national brands update

Nick Grimshaw left the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with half a million more listeners than a year ago – handing them to Greg James who took over the show halfway through the last quarter. The show now attracts 5.75m listeners (Mon – Fri) and is up 465,000 Year on Year. In London, Capital is back on top with almost 2,100,000 listeners according to Reach in the London commercial radio battle, as Kiss slips back under the 2m listener mark (1,958,000). Magic is in third place (1.5m) whilst Heart comes in 4th (1.4m). But BBC Radio 4 continues to lead the London Reach with 2.4m listeners.

Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2018 – winners

Podcasters, local radio and the independent sector challenged the big networked radio groups at this year’s Audio & Radio Industry Awards, picking up some of the evening’s biggest awards. The ceremony at the first direct Arena in Leeds saw podcasters picking up three of the big awards on the night, with Best New Show going to You, Me & the Big C; Best Specialist Music Show was won by Edith Bowman with her podcast, Soundtracking and Best Sports Show was...

Final agenda confirmed for Drive to Digital event

Digital Radio UK has confirmed the final conference agenda for Drive to Digital 2018: The Future of Radio. Drive to Digital 2018 will be chaired by Gethin Jones, co-presenter of the new Hits Radio Breakfast Show, and has a line up of senior speakers from broadcasters, supply chain, the automotive sector, the audio market and podcasters, who will be sharing their views on the future of radio.

Mark Goodier to host new Absolute Radio series

Mark Goodier is returning to Absolute Radio to host a series of classic album playbacks in September. The man who’s got the best music will present five albums over the five Saturdays in September, starting 8th September, as part of the station’s 10th birthday celebrations. Meanwhile, Danielle Perry will be celebrating live music, replaying exclusive Absolute Radio gigs from Coldplay, Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics and more...

RAJAR Q2 2018: London and national brands update

Kiss has taken over from Capital as the biggest commercial radio station in London in the latest Q2/2018 RAJAR listening figures. Capital’s audience in the capital is down 10.8% year on year to 2.063m, while Kiss has had a great quarter, hitting 2.087m weekly listeners – 24,000 more than its rival. In third place is Magic (1.667m), which leapfrogs rival Heart this quarter (1.404m). LBC is in fifth on reach with 1.280m listeners in the capital (down 9.3% year on year).

Absolute Radio plans listener party for 10th birthday

Manic Street Preachers, George Ezra and Blossoms will help Absolute Radio celebrate its 10th birthday this September. Dave Berry announced details of the special gig for 2000 listeners on his new breakfast show, which will take place at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London on Tuesday 25th September.

Radio is the perfect Number 10: The Three Lions assist machine

England’s fine form in Russia has undoubtedly lifted the mood of the nation. As we cheer the players on in the searing heat, we’ve never felt more connected to the national team. Nothing taps into the spirit of the nation quite like a world cup… Well, except for radio.