Freeview Has Heart

Chrysalis-owned radio station Heart is now available on Freeview channel 728, making it the first regional radio channel to sign up to the platform.

In a move to boost its national coverage and increase its reach, the station will sit alongside the BBC, Virgin and Magic and listeners will be able to listen to all three of Heart’s stations serving London, the East and West Midlands.

At the last RAJARs, the total Heart network saw its weekly reach fall by almost 5%, whilst Heart 106.2 FM grabbed the top spot in London back from Magic FM, enjoying a period on period increase of 3% in Q3, giving it a weekly reach of 1.7 million listeners, the highest figure of the London stations. Heart’s share of listening stayed static quarter to quarter, making it the station with the highest share of listening in London (see Heart 106.2 FM Retakes London Top Spot From Magic FM).

In October the Heart radio network announced it would launch a new multi-million pound campaign to position itself beyond the platform of radio, building Heart into a lifestyle and entertainment brand.

The push will involve television and cinema ad campaigns with high profile media and retail partnerships, as well as special events, master classes, brand extensions and station-led promotions, together with guerrilla marketing and PR (see Heart To Expand Brand Beyond Radio).

Chrysalis: 020 7221 2213 www.chrysalis.com