Emap To Launch Smash Hits Radio

Emap Performance is expanding its Smash Hits portfolio with the launch of Smash Hits Radio in March next year.

The celebrity gossip and non-stop pop station will initially broadcast to a potential audience of 20 million people in London and the north of England and will offer listeners the chance to choose what music is played via text messages, telephone calls and online requests.

Emap is hopeful that the station will promote the early take up of digital radio in the UK as listeners will be able to keep track of artists’ names, song titles and song lyrics using their digital radios.

Emap’s managing director of pop, Trevor Dann, said: “Digital radio has been relatively slow to develop in the UK. To drive the take-up, the market needs more unique and compelling propositions offering the audience fresh innovative and challenging radio.”

The station will initially air on Emap’s digital multiplexes in Tyne & Wear, Liverpool and Central Lancashire as well as on Emap’s London and Manchester multiplexes, which are jointly owned with Capital. After a trial period the station will begin broadcasting on Emap’s multiplexes in South Yorkshire, Leeds and Humberside.

It is thought that Emap will offer brands cross media advertising packages spanning the Smash Hits portfolio, which includes Smash Hits magazine, the request driven digital TV network and the online presence, smashhits.net.

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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