Bauer to acquire Absolute Radio by end of year

Bauer Media UK will complete the acquisition of Absolute Radio by the end of 2013 following a decision by the Office of Fair Trading that a reference to the Competition Commission is not necessary.

The addition of Absolute Radio, formerly owned by Times of India, will take Bauer’s audience for its national radio portfolio – which includes Kiss, Kerrang! And The Hits – to over 10 million listeners. The total audience reach across all platforms at Bauer Media UK currently reaches approximately 20 million listeners every week.

“Radio is growing and continues to be deeply loved by audiences and advertisers,” said Paul Keenan, CEO, Bauer Media UK.

“We will grow the much-loved Absolute Radio brands for the benefit of both listeners and commercial partners and in so doing deliver even more world-class content and brands to extend our position as a market-leading multi-platform media owner, delivering some of the UK’s most valuable audiences.”

Ravi Dhariwal, CEO of Times of India, said: “Absolute Radio is going to a great new home, an international media business which has a real passion for radio and popular media brands.

“We have very much enjoyed our time as owners of these fabulous radio stations and we look forward to seeing and hearing how they grow with their new owners.”

Last month Bauer announced the launch of a new digital media brand for “constantly connected, influential” young women, set to launch in February 2014.