Greatest Hits Radio: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 21:14, 19 January 2016 editHughpugh (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users19,668 edits →Local opt-outs ← Previous edit		Latest revision as of 12:41, 20 December 2024 edit undoThis is Drew (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers14,733 edits →Programming Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
(831 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{Multiple issues\|
			{{Original research\|date=November 2023}}
			{{More citations needed\|date=November 2023}}
			}}
			{{short description\|UK classic hits radio network}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2022}}
			{{Use British English\|date=February 2016}}
	{{Infobox radio station		{{Infobox radio station
	\| name = ~~Bauer~~ ~~City~~ 2		\| name = Greatest Hits Radio
	\| ~~image~~ = ]		\| logo = GHR logo.png
	\| ~~city~~ =		\| image =
			\| image_size =
	\| area = ] and northern ]
	\| ~~branding~~ =		\| city =
			\| country = UK
	\| slogan = ''The Greatest Hits for...''
			\| area = ]
	\| airdate = 5 January 2015
			\| branding = ''The Good Times Sound Like This!''<br>''Across TSA''
	\| frequency = ]: 828 – 1584 ]<br>]: 96.5 - 105.9 ]<br>]
			\| airdate = 5 January 2015 as Bauer City 2<br /> 7 January 2019 as Greatest Hits Radio
	\| share =
	\| ~~share as of~~ =		\| last_airdate =
			\| frequencies = ]: various<br />]: various
	\| share source =
			\| rds = Grt Hits
	\| format = Oldies and specialist music
			\| format = ] and specialist music
	\| language = ]
			\| language = ]
	\| power =
	\| ~~erp~~ =		\| power =
	\| ~~class~~ =		\| erp =
	\| ~~callsign_meaning~~ =		\| class =
			\| former_frequencies = ]: various
	\| owner = ]
			\| callsign_meaning =
	\| sister_stations = ]<br>]
			\| owner = ]
	\| website =
			\| sister_stations = ]<br />]<br>]
			\| webcast =
			\| website =
			\| coordinates =
	}}		}}

	'''~~Bauer~~ ~~City~~ 2''' is a ~~network of 15~~ ] ~~stations~~ in ] ~~and~~ ~~northern ]~~, owned and operated by ].		'''Greatest Hits Radio''' is a ] network in the United Kingdom, owned and operated by ].

	The stations, which carry separate localised branding, air a mainly networked schedule of classic hits music, alongside local news and travel, specialist music programming and a weekly current affairs phone-in on Sunday mornings. The network launched on Monday 5 January 2015.<ref>, RadioToday, 19 December 2014</ref>

	==Overview==		==Overview==
			The network launched on 5 January 2015 as the "Bauer City 2 Network",<ref> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222203346/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/12/schedule-released-for-bauer-city-2-stations/ \|date=22 December 2014 }}, RadioToday, 19 December 2014</ref> and rebranded on 7 January 2019 due to the success of ] in Liverpool on FM.<ref name="A516Nov18">{{Cite web \|url=https://www.a516digital.com/2018/11/new-greatest-hits-radio-network.html \|title=New Greatest Hits Radio network confirmed for 2019 - a516digital \|access-date=12 August 2019 \|archive-date=16 December 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216102136/https://www.a516digital.com/2018/11/new-greatest-hits-radio-network.html \|url-status=dead }}</ref>
	The stations which form the Bauer City 2 network are predominantly AM sister stations of the corresponding Bauer City 1 station. Many were originally set up as a 'Gold' counterpart (e.g. Radio City Gold in Liverpool) when stations were told by the ] to stop simulcasting on both FM and AM in the late 1980s. The exception to this is the FM station ].

			As of April 2023, the network consists of 18 local and regional radio stations operating over 50 FM and DAB licences in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as a national DAB station<ref name = A516Nov18 /> in areas not served by a local Bauer-owned licence.
	In Northern England, the stations were latterly rebranded as Magic - a station brand first used by Radio Aire upon the launch of their AM station in July 1990. The stations gradually began to network most of their schedule - by March 2013, the only local content consisted of three regional breakfast shows on weekdays, serving the North West, the North East and Yorkshire.<ref>, RadioToday, 15 February 2013</ref>

			In most cases, the stations are networked, apart from a three-hour regional afternoon show on weekdays and localised opt-outs for news, weather, travel and advertising. However the regional programmes will end on 31 October 2024.<ref name=GHR>{{Cite web \|first=Roy \|last=Martin \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/greatest-hits-radio-to-end-local-shows-and-go-fully-networked-with-new-kate-thornton-afternoon-show/ \|title=Greatest Hits Radio to end local shows and go fully networked with new Kate Thornton afternoon show \|date=23 October 2024 \|accessdate=23 October 2024 \|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref>
	In Scotland, local programming on AM stations was largely retained until networking outside of weekday breakfast and specialist shows was introduced in June 2009. In July 2013, the remaining local output was axed, leading to a fully networked schedule known as ''The Greatest Hits Network''.<ref>, RadioToday, 3 June 2013</ref>

			== History ==
	In September 2014, Bauer Radio announced it would rebrand the Magic stations under localised identities, based on the main FM station names (e.g. Magic 1152 in Manchester becomes ], based on ]).<ref>, RadioToday, 28 September 2014</ref> Magic's AM network closed with the London equivalent, ], being launched nationwide on DAB.
			{{Further\|Timeline of Greatest Hits Radio}}

			===Historic 'Gold' Stations===
	The schedules for the stations were announced in December 2014. The two previous networks serving Scotland (''The Greatest Hits Network'') and northern England (Magic AM) were replaced by one carrying programming from both Scotland and England over all stations. The relaunch took place on Monday 5 January 2015.
			The stations which initially formed the Greatest Hits Radio network are predominantly sister stations to the corresponding ] network stations. Many were originally set up as a 'Gold' counterpart (e.g. Radio City Gold in Liverpool) when stations were instructed by the ] to cease simulcasting their services on both AM and FM in the late 1980s. The main exception to this was FM station ] in ].

			===Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Magic (Northern England)===
	On 7 December 2015, ] in Liverpool swapped frequencies with sister station ] on 105.9 FM and replaced most of its networked output with local programming.<ref>, RadioToday, 30 November 2015</ref>
			In Northern England, the stations were rebranded as ] in 1997 – a station brand first used by ] upon the launch of their AM station in July 1990.

			In Scotland, local programming on AM stations was largely retained until networking outside of weekday breakfast and specialist shows was introduced in June 2009.
	==Stations==
	{{col-start}}
	{{col-2}}
	*] (Glasgow and the West of Scotland)
	*] (Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife)
	*] (South Yorkshire and the North Midlands)
	*] (Greater Manchester)
	*] (Tyne and Wear and Northumberland)
	*] (Scottish Highlands, Moray and Orkney)
	*] (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
	*] (Leeds and West Yorkshire)
	{{col-2}}
	*] (Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales)
	*] (Lancashire)
	*] (Tayside)
	*] (Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire)
	*] (East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire)
	*] (Ayrshire)
	*] (Dumfries and Galloway)
	{{col-end}}

			The Magic stations gradually began to form a network merging most of their schedule until, and by March 2013, only local content consisted of three regional breakfast shows on weekdays, serving the North West, the North East and Yorkshire.<ref>, RadioToday, 15 February 2013</ref>
	==Programming and presenters==
	The majority of programming is broadcast among all Bauer City 2 stations in Scotland and Northern England, although there are separate shows for the two countries at peak times, including weekday breakfast and drive time.<ref>, RadioToday, 19 December 2014</ref>

			In July 2013, the remaining Scottish local output ceased, leading to a fully networked schedule known as '''Greatest Hits Network''.<ref>, RadioToday, 3 June 2013</ref>
	Most programming originates from the studios of ] in ] and ] in ]. Some other output is broadcast from ] in ], ] in ], ] in ] and Bauer's headquarters at ], ].

			===Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Radio City 2 (Northern England)===
	{{col-start}}
			In September 2014, Bauer Radio announced it would rebrand the Magic stations under localised identities, based on the main FM station names (e.g. Magic 1152 in Manchester becomes ], based on ]).<ref>, RadioToday, 28 September 2014</ref> Magic's AM network closed with the London equivalent, ], launched nationwide on DAB.
	{{col-2}}
	'''Northern England'''
	*Adam Catterall (''Game On'')
	*Tom Davies (''Talk In'')
	*Sean Goldsmith (Weekday breakfast)
	*] (Saturday breakfast, Sunday mornings)
	*Nick Wright (Weekday drivetime)
	{{col-2}}
	'''Scotland'''
	*Ally Ballingall (Weekday drivetime, ''Scotland's Talk In'')
	*John Collins (Saturday breakfast)
	*Alan Edwards (Weekday breakfast)
	*Gavin Pearson (''Game On'')
	*Mike Riddoch (Sunday mornings)
	{{col-end}}
	'''Networked presenters'''<br>
	{{col-start}}
	{{col-2}}
	*] (Sunday afternoons)
	*Micky Gavin (Saturday evenings, Sunday early breakfast)
	*James Grove (''80s Show'': Sunday afternoons)
	*Darren Kelly (Monday - Saturday mornings)
	*] (Weekday afternoons)
	*Keith Martin (''The Soul Show'': Saturday nights)
	{{col-2}}
	*Gina McKie (''Love Songs'': Sunday - Friday nights)
	*Gary Muircroft (''The Country Show'': Sunday evenings)
	*Ray Rose (Weekday evenings)
	*] (Saturday overnights)
	*Paula Whitelock (Sunday - Friday overnights)
	{{col-end}}

			The relaunch took place on Monday 5 January 2015. Initially, the two networks serving Scotland (The Greatest Hits Network) and northern England (City 2 Network) were replaced by one carrying programming from both nations over all stations, with some peak time opt-outs. Further split programming for the two nations was reintroduced the following year.
	===Local opt-outs===
	All stations in the network carry their own local news and traffic bulletins every hour from 6am to 6pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm at weekends.

			On 7 December 2015, ] in Liverpool swapped frequencies with sister station ] on 105.9 FM and reintroduced local programming at peak times.<ref>, RadioToday, 30 November 2015</ref><ref>, RadioToday, 16 November 2015</ref>
	The two FM stations in the network - ] in Dumfries & Galloway and ] in Liverpool - air their own local programming with networked output carried at off-peak times.

			In April 2018, ] ceased analogue broadcasting on 1035 AM, becoming the first commercial radio station in Scotland – and the first local Bauer-owned station – to broadcast only on digital platforms (DAB and online).<ref>, Radio Today, 8 March 2018</ref>
	In Scotland, the stations also opt-out on Saturday afternoons throughout the football season for live match commentaries, predominantly on ] games.

			On 4 June 2018, ] in Manchester was rebranded as Key Radio, in tandem with Key 103's relaunch as ].

			===Greatest Hits Radio (National)===
			On 7 January 2019, Greatest Hits Radio replaced the Bauer City 2 branding due to the success of ] in Liverpool. Local station identities in Northern England took on Greatest Hits Radio branded names and Scottish stations retaining their local brands.

			Greatest Hits Radio also became available on FM in the West Midlands taking over the 105.2 FM frequency from ]. Greatest Hits Radio also took over Absolute Radio's London FM frequency (105.8) on 17 May 2021.

			The network expanded with Greatest Hits Radio UK broadcasting across most of the local DAB multiplexes across the UK.

			The service took the Liverpool FM programming with national news bulletins and traffic reports.<ref> Bauer Media, 15 November 2018</ref><ref> Radio Today, 15 November 2018</ref>

			===Network expansion===
			In May 2020, Bauer announced that 48 local radio stations in England and South West Wales would rebrand and join the Greatest Hits Radio network, following the acquisition of licences from ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/05/most-of-acquired-bauer-stations-to-become-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Most of acquired Bauer stations to become Greatest Hits Radio\|publisher=RadioToday\|date=27 May 2020\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312093744/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/05/most-of-acquired-bauer-stations-to-become-greatest-hits-radio/\|archive-date=12 March 2023}}</ref>

			Most of the stations were merged and began carrying networked output, alongside a regional show on weekdays and localised news, travel and advertising.

			On 13 July 2020, the former Wireless Group and Celador-owned stations joined the Greatest Hits Radio network. The nineteen stations carried local breakfast shows and voicetracked programming whilst retaining separate branding until the full relaunch on 1 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/07/09/bauer-starts-to-roll-out-hits-and-greatest-hits-to-new-radio-stations/\|title=Bauer starts to roll out Hits and Greatest Hits to new radio stations\|date=9 July 2020\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 1 September, Bauer closed down Leeds-based ] so that it could switch the frequency from the ] network to Greatest Hits Radio as part of the merging with twelve stations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/07/16/radio-aire-to-become-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Radio Aire to become Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=16 July 2020\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 17 September 2020, Bauer bought ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/09/17/bauer-buys-radio-plymouth-to-extend-ghr-network/\|title=Bauer buys Radio Plymouth to extend GHR network\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=17 September 2020\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 15 October 2020, it was announced that the Suffolk station ], part-owned by Bauer through their purchase of Lincs FM Group, would take the GHR brand and network programming, including the East region drivetime show, from November, with the former ] on DAB, which had carried GHR East since the September network relaunch, being replaced by ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/10/15/ipswich-102-to-rebrand-as-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Ipswich 102 to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=15 October 2020\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 22 October 2020, it was reported the Oldham and Rochdale station ] had been sold to Bauer for conversion into GHR, joining the Manchester AM and Bolton/Bury FM licenses in the GHR North West network.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/10/22/revolution-96-2-sold-to-bauer-for-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Revolution 96.2 sold to Bauer for Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=22 October 2020\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			In March 2021, ] approved Bauer's application for permission to alter the FM licence held by the London FM relay of ], enabling the frequency to be used to provide a London variant of GHR.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/03/greatest-hits-radio-approved-for-london-105-8fm/ \| title=Greatest Hits Radio approved for London 105.8FM \| date=25 March 2021 }}</ref> with Absolute Radio continuing to be available by way of its national AM and digital transmissions. The change took place on 17 May.

			On 17 June 2021 Bauer announced the purchase of ] from the Like Media Group, with the existing Imagine service slated to be replaced by separate GHR feeds for ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/06/17/bauer-buys-imagine-to-extend-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Bauer buys Imagine to extend Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=17 June 2021\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 19 September 2022, ]'s Poole transmitter began carrying ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/07/wave-105s-poole-transmitter-to-become-greatest-hits-radio/\|title=Wave 105's Poole transmitter to become Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=13 July 2022\|access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref>

			On 22 November 2022, Bauer announced that ] in Cumbria & South West Scotland will rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April 2023.

			On 14 December 2022, Greatest Hits Radio launched on ], replacing ] on the platform.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/scala-radio-to-leave-sky/\|title=Scala Radio to leave Sky\|date=9 December 2022\|access-date=28 November 2023}}</ref>

			On 12 January 2023, Bauer announced that the seven heritage names in Scotland (], ], ], ] and ] (Ayrshire) and (Dumfries and Galloway), would rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/01/12/bauer-to-rebrand-seven-heritage-scottish-stations-to-greatest-hits-radio/ \|title=Bauer to rebrand seven heritage Scottish stations to Greatest Hits Radio\|website=Radiotoday.co.uk\|date=12 January 2023}}</ref>

			On 31 January 2023, Bauer announced that ] was to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-31 \|title=Radio Borders to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from April \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/01/31/radio-borders-to-rebrand-to-greatest-hits-radio-name-and-format/ \|access-date=2023-01-31 \|website=RadioToday \|language=en-GB}}</ref> following the news earlier in the month which will see the seven Scottish heritage names also rebranding on the same day.

			On 1 March 2023, Bauer announced that ] would lose its FM frequency and go DAB only from 3 April. The FM frequency would become Greatest Hits Radio.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-03-01 \|title=Lincs FM to lose its FM frequencies for Greatest Hits Radio \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/03/lincs-fm-to-lose-its-fm-frequencies-for-greatest-hits-radio/ \|access-date=2023-03-03 \|website=RadioToday \|language=en-GB}}</ref>

			On the same day, Bauer also announced that three of the four FM frequencies held by ] in Cambridge (105.6), Ipswich and Colchester (106.4) and Peterborough (107.7), would switch to carrying Greatest Hits Radio and join the ]. The 106.1 frequency in Norwich would continue to carry Kiss.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/03/greatest-hits-radio-to-replace-kiss-in-cambridgeshire-and-suffolk/\|title=Greatest Hits Radio to replace KISS in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk\|website=Radio Today\|last=Martin\|first=Roy\|date=1 March 2023}}</ref>

			On 12 November 2023, it was announced that GHR's remaining medium wave transmissions, in Scotland and northern England, would cease by the end of the year, but the station would continue on DAB in the affected areas.<ref> Radio Today, 12 November 2023</ref>

			On 13 December 2023, Greatest Hits Radio was removed from satellite and cable platforms, along with every other radio station owned by Bauer Media on the TV platforms, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/11/bauer-to-remove-all-radio-stations-from-satellite-and-cable-tv-platforms/\|title = Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms\|date = 28 November 2023}}</ref>

			On 28 March 2024, Bauer closed down Hampshire based ] and it re-branded into the Greatest Hits Radio network as ].

			On 9th September 2024, it was announced that a sister station named "Greatest Hits Radio 60s" begin broadcasting on 16th September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-09-09 \|title=Pleased to Meet You… Ken Bruce introduces Greatest Hits Radio 60s \|url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/pleased-to-meet-you-ken-bruce-introduces-greatest-hits-radio-60s/ \|access-date=2024-09-14 \|website=Bauer Media \|language=en-GB}}</ref>

			A new national weekday afternoon show airs from 11 November 2024, resulting in the axe of many regionalised shows in England.<ref name=GHR>{{Cite web \|first=Roy \|last=Martin \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/greatest-hits-radio-to-end-local-shows-and-go-fully-networked-with-new-kate-thornton-afternoon-show/ \|title=Greatest Hits Radio to end local shows and go fully networked with new Kate Thornton afternoon show \|date=23 October 2024 \|accessdate=23 October 2024 \|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|first=Roy \|last=Martin \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/local-radio-changes-expected-imminently-as-key-parts-of-new-media-act-take-effect/ \|title=Local radio changes expected imminently as key parts of new Media Act take effect \|date=21 October 2024 \|accessdate=22 October 2024 \|publisher=Radio Today}}</ref>

			The national breakfast show extended to the South of England from 23 December 2024, meaning all England stations are now fully networked.<ref>, Roy Martin, Radio Today, 20 December 2024</ref>

			== Stations ==
			===United Kingdom===
			*GHR UK

			===East & West Midlands===
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]

			===East of England===
			*]
			**]
			**]
			**]
			*]
			*]

			Former stations
			*] (DAB) – carries ] as of 3 November 2020

			===London===
			*GHR London

			===North East England===
			*]
			*]
			*]

			===North West England===
			*]
			**]
			** ]<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Martin \|first=Roy \|date=2022-11-29 \|title=Bauer's Cumbria station CFM to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio \|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/11/bauers-cumbria-station-cfm-to-rebrand-as-greatest-hits-radio/ \|access-date=2022-11-29 \|website=RadioToday \|language=en-GB}}</ref>
			**]
			**]
			**]
			**]
			**]

			===Scotland===
			*GHR Scotland
			*]
			*]
			**]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			**]

			===South East England===
			*]
			*]
			*]
			**]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			**]

			===South West England===
			*]
			*]
			*]
			**Cornwall
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			*]

			===Wales===
			*]

			===Yorkshire and the Humber===
			*GHR Yorkshire
			*]
			**]
			**]
			**Lincolnshire
			**]
			*]
			*]
			*]
			**]
			''Available on DAB and online only*'' -
			''Available online only**''

			== Programming ==
			All programming is produced and broadcast from Bauer’s London headquarters or studios in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.<ref name=publicfile></ref>
			===News===
			Bauer's newsrooms across the UK air mixed local and national news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

			Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside traffic bulletins.

			At weekends, bespoke networked news bulletins air during the afternoon produced by the Bauer newsroom in Glasgow for Scotland and usually either Leeds or Manchester for England and Wales. At all other times, mainly evening and overnight, hourly national bulletins originate from ].<ref name=publicfile></ref>

			== Notable presenters ==
			{{div col\|colwidth=22em}}
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ] (drivetime sport reporter)
			{{div col end}}

			=== Past presenters ===
			* ] (died in 2021)
			* ]
			* ]

			==Audience==
			According to ] data, the GHR stations have a combined weekly reach of 7.5 million people as of September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php\|title=RAJAR\|website=Rajar.co.uk\|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

			== Spin-off stations ==
			On 9th September 2024, it was announced that the first GHR spin-off station would launch. It would be a decades station, "Greatest Hits Radio 60s", which began broadcasting on 16th September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-09-09 \|title=Pleased to Meet You… Ken Bruce introduces Greatest Hits Radio 60s \|url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/pleased-to-meet-you-ken-bruce-introduces-greatest-hits-radio-60s/ \|access-date=2024-09-14 \|website=Bauer Media \|language=en-GB}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			*
	*{{Official website\|http://www.thegreatesthits.co.uk/}}
	*

	{{Bauer}}		{{Bauer Media Group}}
			{{Bauer Radio}}
			{{Greatest Hits Radio}}
			{{London radio}}

	]		]
	]		]
			]
	]		]
	]		]
			]

Latest revision as of 12:41, 20 December 2024

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (November 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Greatest Hits Radio" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

UK classic hits radio network

Greatest Hits Radio
United Kingdom

Broadcast area	United Kingdom
Frequencies	FM: various DAB: various
RDS	Grt Hits
Branding	The Good Times Sound Like This! Across TSA
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Classic hits and specialist music
Ownership
Owner	Bauer Media Audio UK
Sister stations	Hits Radio Hits Radio Pride Greatest Hits Radio 60s
History
First air date	5 January 2015 as Bauer City 2 7 January 2019 as Greatest Hits Radio
Former frequencies	AM: various
Links
Webcast	Rayo
Website	Greatest Hits Radio

Greatest Hits Radio is a classic hits radio network in the United Kingdom, owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK.

Overview

The network launched on 5 January 2015 as the "Bauer City 2 Network", and rebranded on 7 January 2019 due to the success of Radio City 2 in Liverpool on FM.

As of April 2023, the network consists of 18 local and regional radio stations operating over 50 FM and DAB licences in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as a national DAB station in areas not served by a local Bauer-owned licence.

In most cases, the stations are networked, apart from a three-hour regional afternoon show on weekdays and localised opt-outs for news, weather, travel and advertising. However the regional programmes will end on 31 October 2024.

History

Further information: Timeline of Greatest Hits Radio

Historic 'Gold' Stations

The stations which initially formed the Greatest Hits Radio network are predominantly sister stations to the corresponding Hits Radio network stations. Many were originally set up as a 'Gold' counterpart (e.g. Radio City Gold in Liverpool) when stations were instructed by the Independent Broadcasting Authority to cease simulcasting their services on both AM and FM in the late 1980s. The main exception to this was FM station West Sound in Dumfries and Galloway.

Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Magic (Northern England)

In Northern England, the stations were rebranded as Magic in 1997 – a station brand first used by Radio Aire upon the launch of their AM station in July 1990.

In Scotland, local programming on AM stations was largely retained until networking outside of weekday breakfast and specialist shows was introduced in June 2009.

The Magic stations gradually began to form a network merging most of their schedule until, and by March 2013, only local content consisted of three regional breakfast shows on weekdays, serving the North West, the North East and Yorkshire.

In July 2013, the remaining Scottish local output ceased, leading to a fully networked schedule known as 'Greatest Hits Network.

Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Radio City 2 (Northern England)

In September 2014, Bauer Radio announced it would rebrand the Magic stations under localised identities, based on the main FM station names (e.g. Magic 1152 in Manchester becomes Key 2, based on Key 103). Magic's AM network closed with the London equivalent, Magic 105.4 FM, launched nationwide on DAB.

The relaunch took place on Monday 5 January 2015. Initially, the two networks serving Scotland (The Greatest Hits Network) and northern England (City 2 Network) were replaced by one carrying programming from both nations over all stations, with some peak time opt-outs. Further split programming for the two nations was reintroduced the following year.

On 7 December 2015, Radio City 2 in Liverpool swapped frequencies with sister station Radio City Talk on 105.9 FM and reintroduced local programming at peak times.

In April 2018, Northsound 2 ceased analogue broadcasting on 1035 AM, becoming the first commercial radio station in Scotland – and the first local Bauer-owned station – to broadcast only on digital platforms (DAB and online).

On 4 June 2018, Key 2 in Manchester was rebranded as Key Radio, in tandem with Key 103's relaunch as Hits Radio.

Greatest Hits Radio (National)

On 7 January 2019, Greatest Hits Radio replaced the Bauer City 2 branding due to the success of Radio City 2 in Liverpool. Local station identities in Northern England took on Greatest Hits Radio branded names and Scottish stations retaining their local brands.

Greatest Hits Radio also became available on FM in the West Midlands taking over the 105.2 FM frequency from Absolute Radio. Greatest Hits Radio also took over Absolute Radio's London FM frequency (105.8) on 17 May 2021.

The network expanded with Greatest Hits Radio UK broadcasting across most of the local DAB multiplexes across the UK.

The service took the Liverpool FM programming with national news bulletins and traffic reports.

Network expansion

In May 2020, Bauer announced that 48 local radio stations in England and South West Wales would rebrand and join the Greatest Hits Radio network, following the acquisition of licences from UKRD, Wireless Group, Lincs FM Group and Celador.

Most of the stations were merged and began carrying networked output, alongside a regional show on weekdays and localised news, travel and advertising.

On 13 July 2020, the former Wireless Group and Celador-owned stations joined the Greatest Hits Radio network. The nineteen stations carried local breakfast shows and voicetracked programming whilst retaining separate branding until the full relaunch on 1 September 2020.

On 1 September, Bauer closed down Leeds-based Radio Aire so that it could switch the frequency from the Hits Radio network to Greatest Hits Radio as part of the merging with twelve stations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

On 17 September 2020, Bauer bought Radio Plymouth.

On 15 October 2020, it was announced that the Suffolk station Ipswich 102, part-owned by Bauer through their purchase of Lincs FM Group, would take the GHR brand and network programming, including the East region drivetime show, from November, with the former Town 102 on DAB, which had carried GHR East since the September network relaunch, being replaced by Hits Radio.

On 22 October 2020, it was reported the Oldham and Rochdale station Revolution 96.2 had been sold to Bauer for conversion into GHR, joining the Manchester AM and Bolton/Bury FM licenses in the GHR North West network.

In March 2021, Ofcom approved Bauer's application for permission to alter the FM licence held by the London FM relay of Absolute Radio, enabling the frequency to be used to provide a London variant of GHR. with Absolute Radio continuing to be available by way of its national AM and digital transmissions. The change took place on 17 May.

On 17 June 2021 Bauer announced the purchase of Imagine Radio from the Like Media Group, with the existing Imagine service slated to be replaced by separate GHR feeds for Stockport and North Cheshire and the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

On 19 September 2022, Wave 105's Poole transmitter began carrying Greatest Hits Radio Dorset.

On 22 November 2022, Bauer announced that CFM in Cumbria & South West Scotland will rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April 2023.

On 14 December 2022, Greatest Hits Radio launched on Sky, replacing Scala Radio on the platform.

On 12 January 2023, Bauer announced that the seven heritage names in Scotland (Clyde 2, Forth 2, MFR 2, Tay 2 and Westsound (Ayrshire) and (Dumfries and Galloway), would rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April.

On 31 January 2023, Bauer announced that Radio Borders was to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from 3 April, following the news earlier in the month which will see the seven Scottish heritage names also rebranding on the same day.

On 1 March 2023, Bauer announced that Lincs FM would lose its FM frequency and go DAB only from 3 April. The FM frequency would become Greatest Hits Radio.

On the same day, Bauer also announced that three of the four FM frequencies held by Kiss in Cambridge (105.6), Ipswich and Colchester (106.4) and Peterborough (107.7), would switch to carrying Greatest Hits Radio and join the GHR East network. The 106.1 frequency in Norwich would continue to carry Kiss.

On 12 November 2023, it was announced that GHR's remaining medium wave transmissions, in Scotland and northern England, would cease by the end of the year, but the station would continue on DAB in the affected areas.

On 13 December 2023, Greatest Hits Radio was removed from satellite and cable platforms, along with every other radio station owned by Bauer Media on the TV platforms, including Absolute Radio, Absolute Radio 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Radio Classic Rock, Hits Radio, Kiss, Magic, Jazz FM and Planet Rock.

On 28 March 2024, Bauer closed down Hampshire based Wave 105 and it re-branded into the Greatest Hits Radio network as Greatest Hits Radio South Coast.

On 9th September 2024, it was announced that a sister station named "Greatest Hits Radio 60s" begin broadcasting on 16th September 2024.

A new national weekday afternoon show airs from 11 November 2024, resulting in the axe of many regionalised shows in England.

The national breakfast show extended to the South of England from 23 December 2024, meaning all England stations are now fully networked.

Stations

United Kingdom

- GHR UK*

East & West Midlands

GHR Midlands

East of England

GHR East

Former stations

- Suffolk* (DAB) – carries Hits Radio as of 3 November 2020

London

- GHR London*

Available on DAB and online only* - Available online only**

Programming

All programming is produced and broadcast from Bauer’s London headquarters or studios in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

News

Bauer's newsrooms across the UK air mixed local and national news bulletins hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside traffic bulletins.

At weekends, bespoke networked news bulletins air during the afternoon produced by the Bauer newsroom in Glasgow for Scotland and usually either Leeds or Manchester for England and Wales. At all other times, mainly evening and overnight, hourly national bulletins originate from Sky News Radio.

Notable presenters

Richard Allinson
Jackie Brambles
Ken Bruce
Andy Crane
Paul Gambaccini
Martin Kemp
Alex Lester
Simon Mayo
Jenny Powell
Kate Thornton
Simon 'Rossie' Ross
Matt Williams (drivetime sport reporter)

Past presenters

Audience

According to RAJAR data, the GHR stations have a combined weekly reach of 7.5 million people as of September 2024.

Spin-off stations

On 9th September 2024, it was announced that the first GHR spin-off station would launch. It would be a decades station, "Greatest Hits Radio 60s", which began broadcasting on 16th September 2024.

References

Schedule released for Bauer City 2 stations Archived 22 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine, RadioToday, 19 December 2014
^ "New Greatest Hits Radio network confirmed for 2019 - a516digital". Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
^ Martin, Roy (23 October 2024). "Greatest Hits Radio to end local shows and go fully networked with new Kate Thornton afternoon show". Radio Today. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
Magic AM starts networking at breakfast, RadioToday, 15 February 2013
Galloway goes national at Bauer Scotland, RadioToday, 3 June 2013
Major brand swap for Bauer's local stations, RadioToday, 28 September 2014
Simon Ross moves to Radio City 2 Breakfast, RadioToday, 30 November 2015
Date set for Radio City 2 and 3 frequency swap, RadioToday, 16 November 2015
Northsound 2 to switch off AM radio service, Radio Today, 8 March 2018
BAUER MEDIA TO LAUNCH THE GREATEST HITS RADIO NETWORK Bauer Media, 15 November 2018
Bauer Media to launch Greatest Hits Radio network Radio Today, 15 November 2018
"Most of acquired Bauer stations to become Greatest Hits Radio". RadioToday. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023.
"Bauer starts to roll out Hits and Greatest Hits to new radio stations". Radiotoday.co.uk. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Radio Aire to become Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Bauer buys Radio Plymouth to extend GHR network". Radiotoday.co.uk. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Ipswich 102 to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Revolution 96.2 sold to Bauer for Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Greatest Hits Radio approved for London 105.8FM". 25 March 2021.
"Bauer buys Imagine to extend Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Wave 105's Poole transmitter to become Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
"Scala Radio to leave Sky". 9 December 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
"Bauer to rebrand seven heritage Scottish stations to Greatest Hits Radio". Radiotoday.co.uk. 12 January 2023.
"Radio Borders to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from April". RadioToday. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
"Lincs FM to lose its FM frequencies for Greatest Hits Radio". RadioToday. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
Martin, Roy (1 March 2023). "Greatest Hits Radio to replace KISS in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk". Radio Today.
Bauer to turn off AM services in Scotland, Ireland and Northern England Radio Today, 12 November 2023
"Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms". 28 November 2023.
"Pleased to Meet You… Ken Bruce introduces Greatest Hits Radio 60s". Bauer Media. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
Martin, Roy (21 October 2024). "Local radio changes expected imminently as key parts of new Media Act take effect". Radio Today. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
Last local GHR breakfast show in England ends as Rick Jackson joins BBC Radio Solent, Roy Martin, Radio Today, 20 December 2024
Martin, Roy (29 November 2022). "Bauer's Cumbria station CFM to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio". RadioToday. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
^ Greatest Hits Radio - Public File
"RAJAR". Rajar.co.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
"Pleased to Meet You… Ken Bruce introduces Greatest Hits Radio 60s". Bauer Media. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.

External links

Greatest Hits Radio

Bauer Media Group

Publishing

Germany

Adel exklusiv
Alles für die Frau
Astrowoche
Auf einen Blick
Auto Zeitung
Auto Zeitung Classic Cars
Auto Zeitung Gebrauchtwagen
Avanti
Bella
Bravo
Bravo Girl
Bravo Sport
Bummi
Bussi Bär
Card Collector
Closer
Cosmopolitan
Das Neue
Das Neue Blatt
einfach.sein
Fernsehwoche
Freizeitwoche
Good Health
Happinez
Heidi
In meiner Küche
inTouch
inTouch Style
Joy
kochen & genießen
Laura
Laura Wohnen Kreativ
Lecker
Lissy
Mach mal Pause
Maxi
Mehr Spass
Mein Hund & Ich
Mein Lieblingsrezept
Mein TV & Ich
Meine Melodie
Meins
Mini
Mutti
Myway
Neue Post
Pflege & Familie
Rezepte Pur
Schöne Woche
Selbst ist der Mann
Shape
Super Freizeit
tina
tina GESUND&Fit
tina Koch&Back-Ideen
tina WOMAN&Style
tv14
tvpur
tv!top
TV Hören und Sehen
TV Klar
TV Movie
TV Movie digital
Volksstimme
Welt der Wunder
Woche Heute
Wohnidee

United Kingdom

Radio

Denmark

Nova
The Voice
Radio 100
Pop FM
myROCK
Radio Soft

Finland

Radio Nova
Iskelmä
Radio City
SuomiRock
NRJ
Radio Nostalgia
Kasari
Radio Pooki
Radio 957
Auran Aallot
KISS

Germany

Radio Hamburg (25%)

Ireland

Norway

KISS
Norsk Pop
P24-7 MIX
Radio 1
Radio Norge
Radio Rock
Radio Topp 40
Radio Vinyl

Poland

Radio 90 FM
Radio GRA
Radio Jura
RMF Classic
RMF FM
RMF MAXXX
RMF Ukraina

Portugal

Cidade FM
M80 Radio
Rádio Comercial
Smooth FM
Vodafone FM

Slovakia

Europa 2
Rádio Expres
Rádio Melody
Rádio Rock

Sweden

Gold FM
Mix Megapol
NRJ
Lugna Klassiker
Rockklassiker
Radio Active
Radio Disney
Retro FM
Svensk Pop
Topp 40
Vinyl FM

Ukraine

RMF Ukraina

United Kingdom

Networks	Absolute Radio Greatest Hits Radio Hits Radio KISS Magic Radio
Digital	Absolute Radio Country Heat Radio Hits Radio Pride Jazz FM Kerrang! Radio Magic Classical Planet Rock
Stand-alone	Cool FM Downtown Radio Downtown Country
Former	Bauer City 3 Mojo Radio Q Radio Radio City Talk Smash Hits Radio Sam FM 3C Magic

v t e Bauer Media Audio UK
Absolute Radio	Absolute Radio Absolute Radio Classic Rock Absolute Radio Country Absolute Radio 60s Absolute Radio 70s Absolute Radio 80s Absolute Radio 90s Absolute Radio 00s Absolute Radio 10s Absolute Radio 20s
Hits	Greatest Hits Radio Hits Radio Hits Radio Pride Hits Radio Chilled
Kiss	Kiss Kiss Fresh Kisstory
Other Local Radio	Cool FM Downtown Radio
Other National Radio	Heat Radio Jazz FM Kerrang! Radio Klassic Kerrang! Radio Kerrang! Radio Unleashed Magic Magic Classical Planet Rock
Former Radio Stations	3C Mojo Radio Q Radio Smash Hits Radio
Related articles	Timeline of Bauer Media Audio UK Absolute Radio Jazz FM Magic

v t e Greatest Hits Radio
East of England	GHR East
London	GHR London
Midlands	GHR Birmingham & The West Midlands GHR Midlands
North East England	GHR North East GHR Teesside
North West England	GHR North West GHR Cumbria & South West Scotland
Scotland	GHR Ayrshire GHR Dumfries & Galloway GHR Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife GHR Glasgow & The West GHR North East Scotland GHR Scottish Borders and North Northumberland GHR Tayside & Fife GHR North of Scotland
South of England	GHR South
South West England	GHR South West
Wales	GHR South Wales
Yorkshire	GHR Yorkshire
Related topics	Bauer Media Audio UK Hits Radio Hits Radio Pride

Radio stations in Greater London, England

AM stations

LW	BBC Radio 4 198
MW	Panjab Radio 558 BBC Radio 5 Live 909 Sunrise Radio 963, 972 Lyca Gold 1035 Talksport 1089 Premier Christian Radio 1305, 1413 Lyca Radio 1458 Desi Radio 1602

FM stations

BBC Radio 2 88.8, 89.1
Westside 89.6
BBC Radio 3 91.0, 91.3
Hayes FM 91.8
BBC Radio 4 93.2, 93.5
Select Radio 94.4
BBC Radio London 94.9
Capital London 95.8
Maritime Radio 96.5
Capital Xtra 96.9, 107.1
LBC 97.3
BBC Radio 1 98.5, 98.8
KISS 100.0
Classic FM 100.6, 100.9
Flex FM 101.4
Smooth London 102.2
London Greek Radio 103.3
Resonance FM 104.4
Radio X 104.9
Magic 105.4
Greatest Hits Radio London 105.8
Heart London 106.2
Rinse FM 106.8
Reprezent 107.3
Time 107.5
Radio Jackie 107.8

DAB

CE London	Absolute Radio 00s Absolute Radio 10s Absolute Radio Country Capital London Gold Greatest Hits Radio Heart London Heart Xmas Hits Radio Pride KISS Kiss Fresh Magic Chilled Magic Radio Magic Soul Magic at the Musicals Smooth Chill Smooth London
Switch London	Absolute Radio 70s Adventis Radio AsianFX BBC Radio London Centreforce Chris Country Fix Radio Hits Radio Jazz FM LBC News Mi-Soul Nation Radio UK Radio Maria Smooth Country Virgin Radio Groove
DRG London	Absolute Classic Rock Athavan Radio Bloomberg Radio Boom Radio Colourful Radio Gaydio Lyca Gold Lyca Radio Matryoshka Radio Panjab Radio Premier Gospel Polish Radio London Sout-al-Khaleej Unity DAB Voice Of Islam Radio
U.DAB Trial	Angel Vintage Asian Star Atlantis The Beat London Delite Radio Desi Radio Fun Kids Junior Kool FM London Greek Radio Mixer Radio NME 1 NuSound Radio Podcast Radio Radio Caroline Rainbow Radio Resonance FM Rinse FM Riverside Radio Ruach Radio Shine 879 Solar Radio THC Radio
MuxCo Surrey & South London	Point Blank Radio Release Radio Shine 879

Internet stations

See also: List of radio stations in the United Kingdom

Categories:

Latest revision as of 12:41, 20 December 2024

Overview

History

Historic 'Gold' Stations

Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Magic (Northern England)

Greatest Hits Radio (Scotland) and Radio City 2 (Northern England)

Greatest Hits Radio (National)

Network expansion

Stations

United Kingdom

East & West Midlands

East of England

London

North East England

North West England

Scotland

South East England

South West England

Wales

Yorkshire and the Humber

Programming

News

Notable presenters

Past presenters

Audience

Spin-off stations

References

External links