Absolute Radio Launches In The UK

Absolute Radio, a joint venture between Absolute Radio International, Ulster TV and Euronet, has launched in the UK with the intention of acquiring radio licences across the country.

Created by former Capital Radio head of programming Clive Dickens, Absolute Radio UK’s first bid will be for the East Midlands Radio licence and the company is submitting a joint proposal with backing from Liverpool superclub Cream.

The station, called Jump Radio FM, is being pitched to the Radio Authority as a combination of modern dance and rock music catering for listeners with a range of musical tastes. Cream will provide the dance content for the station, which based on research from AR-UK, will follow a “new music radio” format.

Absolute Radio UK’s programme and operations director, Clive Dickens, said: “Commercial radio has only a 36% share of listening in the East Midlands, compared to over 60% in London. By offering something new, we are redressing the imbalance and extending local listeners choice. Increasing the overall local commercial radio ‘cake’ rather than grabbing market share from others in the commercial sector.”

Absolute Radio UK’s CEO, Donnach O’Driscoll, added: “Our partners believe that our formula is the right one with which to enter the marketplace and we plan to offer the UK radio market something that’s innovative and fresh.”

Ministry of Sound, Kerrang! and Galaxy FM radio are also believed to be bidding for the East Midlands licence, which was advertised by the Radio Authority in October.

Absolute Radio UK: 0207-978-6529 www.absoluteradio.net

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