Bauer launches new classical radio station

Bauer Media has announced that it will be launching a new classical entertainment radio station, Scala Radio – the third new station to be launched by the commercial radio broadcaster in under 12 months.

The launch of Hits Radio was announced in April last year, followed by the launch of Greatest Hits Radio, announced in November.

According to Bauer, the station aims to ‘break the mould of classical music in the UK’, and is the biggest launch in UK classical music radio in nearly three decades.

Former Radio 2 presenter Simon Mayo leads the presenting line-up with a mid-morning entertainment show. Other presenters include Angellica Bell, Mark Kermode, Chris Rogers, Goldie, William Orbit, and one of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, Jack Pepper.

“We are launching new radio brands at great velocity and we believe that Scala is the most exciting new personality-led radio station launch in years,” said Steve Parkinson, Bauer group managing director, national radio.

“The mix of music, personality and conversation will make it both intriguing and completely unique. We’ve completely re-imagined a format and designed it to appeal to a modern audience. This will be the very best in classical music for today.”

Scala Radio is set to launch on March 4 2019 and will be available on national DAB radio, online, via smart speakers and via mobile apps.