Bauer Confirms Relaunch Of Q Radio
Bauer Radio has said that it will relaunch a Q magazine branded radio station this year, as part of a huge investment in its brands.
Q Radio, which is currently available via Freeview, will be rolled out nationally across satellite, cable and online from 2 June.
The launch follows predecessor Emap Radio’s launch of Heat Radio last September (see Heat Radio Announces Top Presenters For New Format).
Ric Blaxhill, former BBC Radio 6Music head of programmes, was in February as a consultant to help prepare the station for launch (see Bauer Hires Blaxill For Digital Radio Push). He has been working with the Q magazine editorial team, led by editor Paul Rees, to create the station’s content.
Dee Ford, Bauer Radio Group managing director, said the station would be the “benchmark” for the music world.
Karen Stacey, Bauer Advertising Broadcast sales director, added: “We have told advertisers that if they come in early with us on this, we will make the programmes with them, even down to choosing the presenters.”
Meanwhile, Bauer Radio has unveiled plans to spend £10 million on a major marketing push for its dance music radio station, Kiss, and on its northern stations, known collectively as the Big City Network.
Bauer Radio, formerly Emap Radio, was acquired from Emap Communications in January, as part of a £1.1 billion deal that also included Emap’s consumer magazine brands (see Media In The City: Emap Shareholders Approve Bauer Sale).
Bauer: www.bauer.co.uk