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Para ver la emisora ​​Virgin Radio UK relanzada, consulte Virgin Radio UK .

Coordenadas : 51.512248 ° N 0.136937 ° W51°30′44″N 0°08′13″W /  / 51.512248; -0.136937

Radio absoluta
AbsoluteLogo.svg
CiudadLondres
Área de transmisiónReino Unido
Frecuencia
RDSAbsoluto
MarcaRadio absoluta
EsloganLa música real importa
Programación
FormatoAC moderno
La redRed de radio absoluta
Propiedad
DueñoRadio Bauer
Estaciones hermanas
Historia
Primera fecha de emisión
  • 30 de abril de 1993 (como Virgin 1215) (1993-04-30)
  • 29 de septiembre de 2008 (como Absolute Radio)
Enlaces
WebcastRadio Planeta
Sitio webabsoluteradio .co .uk Edit this at Wikidata

Absolute Radio es una estación de radio nacional británica propiedad y operada por Bauer como parte de Absolute Radio Network . Emite a nivel nacional en todo el Reino Unido a través de la transmisión de audio digital . Absolute Radio presenta un formato de radio AC moderno y se escucha en Londres en 105.8 MHz FM y 1215 kHz MW .

Historia [ editar ]

Más información: Cronología de Absolute Radio

1993-1997: lanzamiento de Virgin Radio y primeros años [ editar ]

No 1 Golden Square con la marca "Virgin Radio", 1993-2008.

La Ley de Radiodifusión de 1990 permitió el lanzamiento de estaciones de radio nacionales independientes (INR) en el Reino Unido. [1] La Autoridad de Radio recibió el mandato de otorgar tres licencias INR, una de las cuales (INR1) tenía que ser para una estación 'no pop' (que se otorgó a Classic FM ), y una de las cuales tenía que ser para una estación predominantemente servicio basado en voz (esto se anunciaría más tarde como INR3 y se otorgaría a Talk Radio ). La licencia restante debía estar abierta a "todos los participantes". Las licencias debían otorgarse al mejor postor en efectivo, siempre que el solicitante cumpliera con los criterios establecidos en la Ley de Radiodifusión. [2]

La segunda licencia nacional, INR2, se haría cargo de las frecuencias de 1197 kHz y 1215 kHz, que serían cedidas por BBC Radio 3 . [3] La licencia se anunció en octubre de 1991 [4] y cinco organizaciones ofertaron: la Independent National Broadcasting Company de Sheffield, que ofertó £ 4.010.000 por año; un consorcio TV-am / Virgin (£ 1,883,000); 20/20 Radio de Chiltern Radio (£ 1,311,000); Score Radio de Radio Clyde (£ 701,000); y un consorcio de CLT , Harvey Goldsmith y RTÉ (£ 211,000). [3]El consorcio TV-am / Virgin recibió la licencia en abril de 1992, después de que la Autoridad de Radio dijera que no estaba satisfecha de que Independent National Broadcasting pudiera mantener el servicio. [5] Más tarde ese año, TV-am perdió su franquicia de ITV [6] y su participación en la estación de radio se vendió en marzo de 1993 [7] a Apax Partners , JP Morgan Investment Corporation y Sir David Frost . [8] [9]

La estación se lanzó como Virgin 1215 a las 12.15 pm el 30 de abril de 1993. [10] La alineación original de DJs incluía a Richard Skinner , Russ Williams , Jono Coleman , Mitch Johnson , Graham Dene , Nick Abbot , Wendy Lloyd , Tommy Vance , Emperor Rosko y Dave Fanning . Chris Evans también fue contratado para presentar un programa el sábado por la mañana, luego de su éxito en BBC GLR en el horario de media mañana del fin de semana. The Show, The Big Red Mug Show fue patrocinado por Nescafé. La primera canción fue una versión de Steppenwolf.canción " Born to be Wild ", grabada por el grupo australiano INXS . Richard Branson fue la primera voz que se escuchó, en vivo desde Virgin Megastore en Manchester, con Richard Skinner como la primera voz en los estudios de Londres. [11] Skinner también fue director de programas, un papel que compartió con John Revell. [12] John Pearson fue director de ventas de lanzamiento, un cargo que había desempeñado anteriormente en LBC . Andy Mollett fue director financiero de lanzamiento. David Campbell, anteriormente director gerente de una de las compañías de televisión de postproducción de Virgin, [13] fue el director ejecutivo en el lanzamiento. [7]

Desde antes de su lanzamiento en AM, Virgin Radio estaba haciendo campaña para una red nacional de FM. Inicialmente, presionó para que la red FM de Radio 4 estuviera disponible [14] y luego, cuando la Autoridad de Radio lanzó una consulta sobre el uso de la banda de 105-108 MHz, [15] presionó para que se dejara de lado como Red Nacional. [16] La Autoridad de Radio decidió, sin embargo, que se otorgarían licencias de 105-108 MHz a nuevas estaciones locales y regionales [17] y Virgin Radio solicitó [18] y ganó una de las nuevas licencias de FM anunciadas en Londres como resultado. [19]

Virgin Radio se lanzó en 105.8 MHz FM en Londres el 10 de abril de 1995 [20] comenzando con un mensaje del locutor David Frost a las 6 am seguido del programa de desayuno Russ 'n' Jono. Parte de los requisitos de licencia para el servicio de Londres significaba que se transmitía en FM una exclusión diaria de Londres, presentada inicialmente por Rowland Rivron . [21]

En un año, Virgin Group estaba considerando los próximos pasos para la estación de radio, incluida la opción de una flotación [22] o recomprar las acciones de JP Morgan, Apax y Sir David Frost. [9] En mayo de 1997, se anunció que Capital Radio había acordado adquirir Virgin Radio en un acuerdo de £ 87 millones. [23] Los planes de Capital incluían trasladar Virgin Radio de 1 Golden Square al edificio Leicester Square de Capital y dividir la programación entre los servicios AM y FM. [24] La Autoridad de Radio aprobó la adquisición, [25] pero Nigel Griffiths , el Ministro de Asuntos del Consumidor, remitió la adquisición a laComisión de Monopolios y Fusiones (MMC). [26] El informe de MMC sobre la adquisición no se publicaría hasta enero de 1998, y recomendaría que el acuerdo sólo podría seguir adelante si se vendiera Capital Gold o si la licencia London FM de Virgin se dejara fuera del acuerdo. [27] Sin embargo, la demora en la aprobación de la adquisición de Capital conduciría en última instancia a que el acuerdo no se concretara.

En enero de 1997, Chris Evans había dejado su papel como presentador del programa de desayuno de Radio 1 como resultado de un desacuerdo entre él y el controlador del programa Matthew Bannister (Evans había pedido los viernes libres para permitirle más tiempo para trabajar en su canal. 4 programa de televisión, TFI Friday ). [28] [29] Evans estaba ansioso por regresar a la radio [30] y se había informado que su agente, Michael Foster, se había acercado a Matthew Bannister para preguntarle si se le permitiría regresar a Radio 1, [31] y había llegado tan lejos como para comenzar las negociaciones para comprar Talk Radio. [32]

Richard Branson quería que Evans trabajara para Virgin Radio, tanto que se unió a él en un vuelo de Concorde a Nueva York para tratar de persuadirlo de que se uniera como presentador de Drive Time. [33] [34] Al final, Virgin Radio contrató a Evans para presentar el programa de desayuno, reemplazando al programa actual de Russ 'n' Jono (presentado por Russ Williams y Jonathan Coleman ). Su programa comenzó el 13 de octubre de 1997, el mismo día que Zoë Ball comenzó como reemplazo de Evans en Radio 1. [35] El contrato inicial solo sería por 10 semanas, hasta que MMC anunció su decisión sobre la adquisición de Capital Radio. [34]Evans se acercó a David Campbell para discutir la compra de la estación de radio y, con la ayuda de Michael Foster, llegaron a un acuerdo para comprarla con capital de riesgo proporcionado por Apax Partners y Paribas , con Virgin Group reteniendo una participación del 20% en el negocio. [36] El acuerdo se anunció el 8 de diciembre de 1997 y supondría la formación de Ginger Media Group, una empresa que supervisa Virgin Radio y produce programas como TFI Friday. [37] [38]

1998-2000: The Ginger Media Group [ editar ]

La propiedad de Evans de Virgin Radio comenzó bien, con un aumento de audiencia de programas de desayuno de 660.000 a 2,2 millones en sus primeros tres meses. [39] En agosto de 1998, Chris Evans tomó una decisión espontánea un fin de semana para lanzar un programa de sábado por la tarde llamado Rock 'n' Roll Football, un programa que todavía se transmite en Absolute Radio. [40] A partir del 5 de octubre de 1998, Virgin Radio comenzó a transmitir simultáneamente el programa de desayuno en Sky One cada mañana durante una hora entre las 7.30 y las 8.30 de la mañana. Cuando se reproducía una pista en la radio, los espectadores veían un video al mismo tiempo. [21] [41]

El comienzo de la nueva temporada de fútbol en agosto de 1999 vio a Terry Venables unirse a Russ Williams en un espectáculo que precedería al Rock 'n' Roll Football. [21] A finales de 1999, en respuesta a que el programa de televisión Who Wants To Be A Millionaire no había regalado su primer premio, Virgin Radio estableció una transmisión por primera vez cuando Clare Barwick ganó £ 1 millón en la culminación de "Someone's Going To Sea millonario ". [21] [42]

El equipo directivo de Ginger Media Group estaba considerando oportunidades de expansión, incluido un plan para adquirir el periódico Daily Star de United News & Media y contratar a Piers Morgan para editarlo. Sin embargo, sus planes se estancaron cuando los accionistas se enfriaron. Evans escribió en su autobiografía que "la dirección quería ceñirse a nuestro plan original de expansión, mientras que a nuestros inversores solo les importaba extraer el valor añadido". [40]

2000-2008: propiedad de SMG [ editar ]

Por lo tanto, el equipo directivo se propuso una estrategia para vender el negocio tres años antes de lo previsto. [40] Contrató a Goldman Sachs para ejecutar el proceso de venta, y consideró una salida a bolsa, [43] antes de vender al Scottish Media Group (ahora STV Group plc ) por £ 225 millones en marzo de 2000. El Scottish Media Group, que era propietario Scottish Television y el periódico Herald , lucharon contra otros postores, incluidos Clear Channel , NRJ y Guardian Media . Evans personalmente ganó 75 millones de libras esterlinas con la venta. [44]

Posteriormente, Evans fue despedido por su nuevo empleador en 2001 por no presentarse al trabajo durante cinco días consecutivos mientras, según los informes, estaba de fiesta con su entonces esposa Billie Piper . [45]

El presidente ejecutivo John Pearson, que había estado en la estación desde antes del lanzamiento, renunció en abril de 2005, [46] y fue reemplazado por Fru Hazlitt, que anteriormente había sido director gerente de Yahoo! Reino Unido e Irlanda. [47]

El 13 de junio de 2006, SMG plc firmó un acuerdo con YooMedia para que Virgin Radio esté disponible en Freeview . Siempre ha puesto un gran énfasis en otros métodos de transmisión además de la onda media, ya que la frecuencia de 1215 kHz sufre una interferencia considerable, particularmente después del anochecer: BBC Radio 1, que usó 1215 kHz durante sus primeros 11 años en el aire, pasó a un nivel más alto. frecuencias de onda media de calidad (ahora utilizadas por talkSport ) en 1978 principalmente por esta razón.

2008-2013: Adquisición por Times of India y cambio de marca a Absolute Radio [ editar ]

No 1 Golden Square con la marca Absolute Radio

El 12 de abril de 2007, se anunció que SMG plc iba a vender Virgin Radio, para permitir que la empresa se concentrara en su estación de televisión, STV . [48] El 30 de mayo de 2008, SMG vendió Virgin Radio a TIML Golden Square Limited, una subsidiaria de The Times Group, por 53,2 millones de libras esterlinas, con 15 millones de libras reservados para el cambio de marca. TIML recibió 90 días de gracia para cambiar el nombre de la estación. Como parte del trato, Absolute Radio International, operador de dos licencias de FM en Oxford , administraría la estación. [49] [50]

El 1 de septiembre de 2008 se anunció que Virgin Radio pasaría a llamarse Absolute Radio a finales de mes (28 de septiembre). [51] Al mismo tiempo, se dieron a conocer cambios en la formación con JK y Joel , Robin Burke, Tony Hadley y John Osborne dejando la estación y Allan Lake , Joanna Russell (de Jo & Twiggy de Trent FM ) y Tim Shaw se unió, [52] aunque Osborne regresaría poco después. La última canción que se tocó en Virgin Radio fue " American Pie " de Don McLean y la primera que se tocó en Absolute Radio fue " A Day in the Life"por The Beatles . [53] Sin embargo, las cifras de escucha para el último trimestre de 2008 mostraron que casi el 20% de los antiguos oyentes de Virgin Radio se habían perdido desde el cambio de marca a Absolute Radio. [54]

El radio de la Virgen de la marca, sin embargo, lanzó de nuevo a través de DAB y en línea el 30 de marzo de 2016, a raíz de una nueva asociación con Wireless Group y la aprobación de su licencia comercial de radio digital terrestre por Ofcom en de marzo de de 2015.

2013-presente: Adquisición por Bauer Media [ editar ]

El 29 de julio de 2013, Bauer Media Group anunció que tenía la intención de comprar Absolute al actual propietario, The Times Group, por una cantidad que se cree que oscila entre los 20 y 25 millones de libras esterlinas, a la espera de la aprobación regulatoria de la venta. [55] El acuerdo fue aprobado por la Oficina de Comercio Justo el 23 de diciembre. [56]

Posteriormente, en septiembre de 2014, todas las demás estaciones de Bauer con sede en Londres se trasladaron permanentemente de Mappin House a One Golden Square remodelado , creando un nuevo centro de radio nacional.

Owner Bauer Radio announced in July 2015 that Absolute Radio would be taking up the 105.2 FM frequency in the West Midlands, previously held by Planet Rock. Absolute launched on 105.2 FM on 7 September 2015.[57] However the station ended transmission on that frequency on 16 December 2018 following Bauer's decision to broadcast Greatest Hits Radio on FM across the West Midlands.

Programming[edit]

Audience and playlist[edit]

Virgin Radio launched aiming at a target group of 24- to 44-year-olds[58] and with a focus on album music, arguing that "singles chart shows on Radio 1 and local commercial radio were outdated because albums outsold singles by three to one."[59] It would provide a blend of recent album tracks and chart music from the past 25 years and aim to fill the "hole in the middle" between BBC Radio 1 and local commercial radio, which were specifically aimed at young audiences, and "gold" stations offering classic hits.[60]

A year after launch, David Campbell was quoted as saying that "the music policy was wrong, even though Virgin had lots of research to suggest it was doing what listeners said they wanted. We did something we should never do: pursue critical acclaim, playing obscure tracks, gaining the praise of the music press." The station's approach had been to mix in more familiar music.[61]

Fru Hazlitt, when interviewed for The Guardian in September 2006, described the type of music the station championed: "It's pretty much mainstream rock festival-type music. Razorlight, Keane. These bands are becoming some of the biggest in the world."[62]

When announcing the rebrand as Absolute Radio on the One Golden Square blog, Clive Dickens, chief operating officer, noted that the station would be "sticking with real music – not manufactured rubbish – and we're building on the amount of live music we do – we're just going to discover more of all of it."[63]

The music policy continues to focus on guitar-based rock, mostly British. In a blog post in February 2009, Head of Music James Curran noted that the 30 most-played artists in the first four months of Absolute Radio had been: Manic Street Preachers, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, The Killers, Oasis, Travis, U2, Placebo, Suede, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, Queen, Keane, Stereophonics, Caesars, Elbow, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Nickelback, The Offspring, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Biffy Clyro, The Beatles, David Bowie, Nirvana, The Police and Blur.[64]

Notable DJs[edit]

Weekdays[edit]

  • Dave Berry
  • Leona Graham
  • Danielle Perry
  • Sarah Champion

Weekends[edit]

  • Frank Skinner
  • Jason Manford
  • Claire Sturgess
  • Matt Forde
  • Skin

Notable former presenters[edit]

Virgin Radio's original line-up included Russ Williams, Richard Skinner, Mitch Johnson, Tommy Vance, Jonathan Coleman and Nick Abbot.

Other past presenters on the network include Danny Baker, Robin Banks, Kelly-Anne Smith, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Robin Burke, Martin Collins, Gary Davies, Daryl Denham, Chris Evans (who also owned the station), Ben Jones, Neil Francis, Alan Freeman, Tony Hadley (from Spandau Ballet), Nicky Horne, Janey Lee Grace, Kevin Greening, Gary King, Jason King, Phil Kennedy, Jeremy Kyle, Allan Lake, Iain Lee, Geoff Lloyd, Tim Lovejoy, Pete Mitchell, Al Murray, Christian O'Connell, John Osborne, Lynn Parsons, Steve Penk, Annabel Port, Vic Reeves, Joel Ross, Jo Russell, Holly Samos, Harriet Scott, Tim Shaw, Graeme Smith, Suggs, David Tennant, Clive Warren, Ray Cokes, Dave Gorman and Pete Donaldson.

Sport[edit]

From the 2010–11 to the 2015–16 seasons, Absolute Radio broadcast live commentary of 32 Premier League games on Saturday afternoons. Ian Wright joined the station to host a post-match phone-in programme, as well as a regular music show on Absolute Radio 90s and a football podcast.

From 2013 to 2014, Absolute Radio held UK radio rights to American football's National Football League.

Broadcast[edit]

Studios[edit]

Virgin Radio and Absolute Radio broadcast from studios at 1 Golden Square since Virgin Radio's launch in 1993.[21]

AM transmission[edit]

The 1215 kHz frequency (247 metres) was used, in selected areas only, by the BBC Light Programme until 1967. It was then used nationally as the original home of BBC Radio 1[65] until 22 November 1978, then from 23 November 1978 until 28 February 1992 by BBC Radio 3.[66]

In a number of areas, particularly where the signals from the main 1215 transmitters overlap with each other, Absolute Radio uses filler transmitters on different frequencies. Below is a list of the AM transmitters in use by Absolute Radio (transmitters marked ** were turned off from May 2018; transmitters marked ∆ had their power reduced from May 2018):[67][68]

Transmitter NameCoverageFrequency (kHz)EMRP (kW)Grid ReferenceAir date
Boston[69]Lincolnshire12422TF2604482 September 1994
Brighton (Southwick)[70]Sussex11971.1TQ2340519 November 1993
∆ Brookmans Park[71]London, Hertfordshire, Essex, South Bedfordshire1215125TL2590503 August 1993
** Chesterton Fen[72]South and Central Cambridgeshire1197 (off air)0.2TL4776082 September 1994
Dartford TunnelDartford Tunnel12150.004TQ5717698 March 1993
∆ Droitwich[73]West Midlands1215105SO9296638 March 1993
Fareham[74]South Hampshire and Isle of Wight12151SU5460589 March 1993
Fern Barrow[75]Dorset11970.25SZ07092611 March 1993
Gloucester[76]Gloucestershire11970.3SO84123014 March 1993
** Greenside Scalp[77]East Tayside1242 (off air)0.5NO4312909 March 1993
** Guildford (Pirbright)[78]West Surrey and North East Hampshire1260 (off air)0.5SU95954124 December 1993
** Hoo[79]North and West Kent, South and Central Essex1197 (off air)2TQ79072015 March 1993
** Hull[80]East Riding of Yorkshire, Northern Lincolnshire1215 (off air)0.32TA16925815 March 1993
Kings Heath[81]Northamptonshire12330.5SP7406337 November 1993
Lisnagarvey[82]Northern Ireland121516IJ2586198 March 1993
Lydd[83]South East Kent and South East Sussex12602TR0492082 April 1995
Manningtree[84]South East Suffolk and North East Essex12330.5TM1232956 November 1993
∆ Moorside Edge[85]North West and Yorkshire1215200SE0701548 March 1993
Oxford[86]Oxfordshire11970.25SP56710512 March 1993
** Plymouth[87]Devon1215 (off air)1.1SX49058515 March 1993
Postwick[88]East Norfolk and North East Suffolk12151.2TG30308616 March 1993
** Redmoss[89]Aberdeen and East Grampian1215 (off air)2.3NJ94202425 March 1993
** Redruth[90]Cornwall1215 (off air)2SW70940328 July 1997
** Sheffield[91]South Yorkshire1233 (off air)0.3SK3488496 November 1993
Sideway[92]Staffordshire12420.5SJ8764349 July 1993
Stockton[93]Cleveland12421NZ42021815 March 1993
** Swindon[94]Wiltshire1233 (off air)0.1SU12985911 November 1993
** Torbay[95]Devon1197 (off air)1SX87863019 March 1993
Trowell[96]Nottinghamshire11970.5SK50639827 March 1993
** Wallasey[97]Merseyside1197 (off air)0.4SJ30592627 March 1993
∆ Washford[98]South Wales, Avon, Somerset1215100ST05841011 March 1993
∆ Westerglen[99]Central Scotland1215100NS86877310 March 1993
Wrekenton[100]Tyne and Wear12152.2NZ27459818 March 1993

FM transmission[edit]

The station is available on 105.8 FM from the Crystal Palace transmitting station in London. This transmission began in 1995. In February 2021 Bauer applied to Ofcom for permission to amend the FM broadcast licence to allow the frequency to be used for a London relay of Greatest Hits Radio; Absolute Radio will remain available in London through its retained national AM and digital outlets.[101]

On 23rd March 2021, Ofcom announced that Greatest Hits Radio would be taking over the 105.8 FM frequency following a consultation [102]

The station was previously available in the West Midlands on 105.2 FM from the Sutton Coldfield transmitting station between 7 September 2015 and 16 December 2018.

Satellite distribution[edit]

In the summer of 1993, Virgin Radio began broadcasting in stereo on the Astra 1A satellite on an audio sub-carrier of the Sky News channel.[103][104] This service ceased on 1 July 2001 in anticipation of Sky's cessation of its analogue satellite service.[105] Virgin Radio was one of the first 20 radio stations which joined the Sky Digital service on 20 November 1999.[106] Carried on Astra 2A, it launched on the channel 917 of the Sky EPG,[107][108] and can today be found as Absolute Radio on channel 0107.

Website and internet broadcasting[edit]

Virgin Radio launched its first website on 7 March 1996.[109][110] Designed by AKQA,[111] it hosted a live RealAudio stream, making it the first European radio station to stream 24-hours a day on the internet.[109] The station went on to redesign the website a further six times as Virgin Radio.[109] Streaming audio formats and presentation developed over time: QuickTime streaming was added in July 1999, an interactive media player launched in October 1999, an Ogg-Vorbis stream was launched in June 2003,[109] and HE-AAC and Ogg-FLAC streams were launched in December 2009.[112] In Autumn 2012 it launched the Opus Streaming Trial[113] as part of the Listen Labs, including streams for all seven stations in 24, 64 and 96 kbit/s. This trial was cancelled without further notice in autumn 2014, along with the live webcams and the public playlist API.[114]

In 2001, Virgin Radio joined the Measurecast[115] and Arbitron[116] internet broadcasting measurement services. Both measurement services have since closed. In 2009, Absolute Radio started publishing its internet listening and download statistics.[117]

Virgin Radio was also among the first to explore the opportunities for delivering its services to mobile phones. It took part in a joint venture with Ericsson in 1999 to investigate the use of third-generation (3G) mobile phone technologies for radio,[118] launched a WAP site in 2000[119] and took part in a trial in 2001 with Crown Castle and Manx Telecom to explore the use of 3G phones to add interactivity to digital radio broadcasts.[120] In 2009, Absolute Radio launched an application for the Apple iPhone[121] and tagging for the Apple iPod Nano.[122] In 2010 applications were released for the Amazon Kindle,[123] the Nokia Ovi Store, the BlackBerry[124] and Windows Phone 7[125] and Absolute Radio was selected as a launch partner for the Apple iAd mobile advertising network.[126]

In January 2014, Absolute Radio Network has restricted the access to the internet radio on their own website to UK listeners only, and removed their apps for iPhone and Android in non-UK app stores.[127]

Sister stations[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio sister stations

A number of subsidiary stations to Virgin Radio and Absolute Radio have been launched as online and digital radio services over recent years, many being established during the period when SMG plc was in charge of the station. The stations were collectively known as the Virgin Radio Network (now the Absolute Radio Network). All 'Absolute' branded channels broadcast online and via smartphone apps, with several also transmitted over DAB and digital television platforms. The line-up of stations within the network has changed over time, and those currently on air are:

Absolute Radio Classic Rock[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio Classic Rock

A radio station on DAB, Virgin Media, Sky and the Internet playing classic rock from the sixties to the nineties. Launched as Virgin Radio Classic Rock in 2000 as part of SMG Radio's strategy to trade total network listening hours at a time when analogue listening hours had been falling. The service was rebranded as Absolute Radio Classic Rock in 2008.

Absolute Radio 60s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 60s

Launched on 22 November 2011, Absolute 60s is the sixth radio station launched under the Absolute branding. The station is broadcast on DAB, some digital television networks, and online. The station has defined itself as "the home of the Beatles, Stones and Mo-Town". With The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as highlights of the station's broadcasts, it plays music originating from the 1960s. Pete Mitchell was the main daytime presenter, returning to Golden Square: he was last on Virgin Radio in 2005 hosting the Breakfast show with Geoff Lloyd.

Absolute Radio 70s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 70s

Launched on 29 November 2011, Absolute 70s is the seventh radio station launched under the Absolute branding. The station is broadcast on DAB and online. With Rod Stewart, David Bowie and Prince as highlights of the station's broadcast, it plays music originating from the 1970s. Richard Skinner, another previous DJ from the Virgin Radio days, returned to Golden Square to feature on this station.

Absolute Radio 80s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 80s

A radio station launched on 4 December 2009 on DAB, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and the Internet which plays classic hits, and is aimed at "reluctant adults" who want to reconnect with the tunes of their youth.

Absolute Radio 90s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 90s

Absolute Radio 90s launched on 21 June 2010 on DAB to a 13 million population in London, Essex, Wiltshire, Bristol, Berkshire and Bath. The station is also available on Sky 0201 and online via website and mobile smartphones. The first song to be played on the station was "Roll with It" by Oasis.

Absolute Radio 00s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 00s

Absolute Radio 00s launched on 10 December 2010,[128] online and on DAB in London.[129] After an internet poll, the first song played was "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.

Absolute Radio 10s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 10s

Absolute Radio 10s launched on 18 November 2019 and operates solely online.[130] The first song played by presenter Jay Lawrence was Bastille with "Pompeii".

Absolute Radio 20s[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio 20s

Absolute Radio 20s launched on 24 February 2020 and operates solely online.[131] The first song played was "Instant History" by Biffy Clyro.

Former spin-off stations[edit]

Main article: Absolute Radio sister stations § Former stations

Absolute Radio Extra[edit]

Established in 2010, Absolute Radio Extra enabled Absolute to carry its FA Premier League football coverage on DAB. During match coverage, the analogue frequencies of Absolute were split, with the London 105.8 FM service carrying scores-and-music show "Rock 'n Roll Football", and the national 1215 AM service carrying match coverage. On DAB, the main Absolute service carried "Rock 'n Roll Football", with Extra carrying match coverage. Extra was also used for coverage of music festivals and events (such as V Festival) in addition to the coverage available on the main station. Absolute Radio Extra has subsequently ceased operation: the core Absolute service on DAB continues to relay the shared programming output of the national AM/London FM service.

Absolute Radio 40s[edit]

Absolute Radio 40s was a pop-up station in May 2020, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The station used the 1215AM frequency to play songs from The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Billie Holliday, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Doris Day and Gracie Fields for 24 hours with Dave Berry,[132] Leona Graham[133] and Claire Sturgess presenting shows, which included archive and reminisces from VE Day veterans.[134][135] Absolute Radio 40s was also found online and on DAB.

Absolute Xtreme[edit]

Main article: Absolute Xtreme

A radio station on DAB, Virgin Media, Sky and the Internet, playing new music. Absolute Xtreme was launched (as Virgin Radio Xtreme) on 5 September 2005, by Lali Parikh (Station Manager) with Steve Harris being the main on-air talent. On 4 December 2009, Absolute Xtreme was replaced on DAB and digital TV by Absolute Radio 80s.

Other pre-Absolute spin-off stations[edit]

dabbl[edit]

Main article: dabbl

dabbl was a user-controlled music radio station broadcast on the Internet and selected local DAB multiplexes 24 hours a day, and on DAB in London from 7 pm to 6 am daily. Its content was chosen by members of Absolute's VIP Service, who selected songs which were then voted for, and songs with the most votes were played. dabbl has now ceased, its DAB slots outside London taken by Absolute Radio 90s.

Liquid[edit]

Liquid was a station playing indie, alternative and Britpop. It ran on DAB in London between 2000 and 2004, with its slot taken by Virgin Radio Classic Rock (now Absolute Classic Rock).

Virgin Radio Groove[edit]

Main article: Virgin Radio Groove

A radio station on DAB, Virgin Media, Sky and the Internet which played motown, soul and disco music. Originally named The Groove, it was rebranded as a Virgin Radio station in 2004 and closed at the end of 2007.[136]

Virgin Radio Party Classics[edit]

Launched on 15 June 2006, Virgin Radio Party Classics played party pop music. The radio station was based on Suggs' Virgin Party Classics show broadcast on Virgin Radio. The station, which broadcast on Sky Digital and online, closed on 3 October 2006.

Virgin Radio Viva (cancelled)[edit]

Virgin Radio Viva, which was due to launch on the new 4 Digital Group platform (which ultimately never launched), was due to be a popular music station aimed at 15- to 29-year-old females. It did not go ahead.[136]


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Bibliography[edit]

  • Evans, Chris (2009). It's not what you think. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-732723-2.
  • Evans, Chris (2010). Memoirs of a Fruitcake. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-734568-7.

External links[edit]

  • Official website
  • Absolute Radio's channel on YouTube
  • Absolute Radio's page on Last.fm, showing a listing of tracks played
  • The Launch of Absolute Radio Absolute Radio, 29 September 2008
  • The launch of Virgin 1215 (audio file) Interval Signals Online