Absolute Radio Network
The Absolute Radio Network is a network of ten radio stations owned and operated by Bauer Radio. Bauer purchased the TIML Radio Limited network of stations in 2013. Most of the Absolute Radio stations are decade-themed services, alongside the flagship station and classic rock and country-formatted stations. The network is aimed at 35 to 54 year olds.
According to RAJAR, the network broadcasts to a combined weekly audience of 5.4 million with a listening share of 3.5% as of March 2024.Network programming
Beginning in 2008, the Absolute Radio Network stations utilise a 'split playlist' solution developed at Absolute Radio to syndicate the presenter links of the weekday Dave Berry Breakfast Show and, since 23 September 2019, Hometime with Bush and Richie from the main Absolute Radio station, with their music tracks replaced by those relevant to each station, chosen by the network database to match the required length, mood and tempo.
Weekend morning programmes, The Frank Skinner Show and The Jason Manford Show are broadcast on a one-hour time delay, again with music tracks replaced by relevant music for each service - with the exception of Absolute Radio Country which does not share weekend morning programming.
Some thematic shows from the core Absolute Radio are simulcast onto a relevant sibling: 80s Greatest Hits on Friday evening is simulcast on Absolute 80s, Classic Rock Party on Saturday evenings is relayed on Absolute Classic Rock, and the first two hours of Andy Bush's Indie Disco on Saturday evening are transmitted on both Absolute Radio and Absolute Radio 90s, continuing on the 90s station only for a further two hours thereafter.
At other times, the digital stations broadcast their own dedicated programming, or non-stop music.Current stations
Absolute Radio
The core station, established as one of three Independent National Radio franchises, began broadcasting in April 1993. It broadcast on AM radio from launch to late January 2023, and since 1999, broadcasts on national DAB. Initially branded Virgin Radio, the station was renamed Absolute Radio in 2008.Absolute Classic Rock
This station, playing classic rock music from the 1960s to the 1990s, was established as online back-to-back music service Virgin Classic in 2000, capitalising on the popularity of classic rock music within the general Virgin Radio schedule. The station was relaunched as a presenter-led service under the name Virgin Radio Classic Rock in 2004, and launched onto DAB in London. The station was subsequently made available on Virgin Media, Sky and, from 2008, Freesat. As part of the 2008 rebrand of Virgin Radio to Absolute Radio, Virgin Radio Classic Rock was renamed Absolute Classic Rock. The availability of Absolute Classic Rock was extended in late 2010 when the service was rolled out to a number of other DAB multiplexes, mainly in the north of England where it replaced Global Radio-owned Gold on several Bauer Media-owned DAB platforms.Absolute Radio Country
In May 2021, the newly rebranded Country Hits Radio joined the Absolute Radio Network as Absolute Radio Country, opening with "Jolene" by Dolly Parton as voted by its listeners to be the first song played.Music from the 20th century
In October 2011, Absolute announced the imminent launch of two new stations to complete their series of decade-themed services. The first of these, Absolute Radio 60s, covers a range of 1960s music, stretching from British pop/rock bands of the era such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to soul and Motown tracks. The 60s service began broadcasting from 22 November 2011 on various DAB multiplexes around the country and online. A holding website went live at absoluteradio60s.co.uk following the announcement, with basic information including the proposed station schedule. It was later revealed that Absolute Radio 60s would broadcast on various DAB multiplexes on which Absolute Classic Rock currently broadcasts, with Classic Rock reducing its broadcast capacity on each multiplex to release space for the 60s service.Absolute Radio 70s launched on Tuesday 29 November 2011. This station plays a broad mix of music from the era, ranging from rock and punk, to glam and soul. Announced on the same day as the 60s service, but launching a week later, Absolute Radio 70s launched on DAB initially in London only, but will also be available nationally and globally online. A website holding page was opened at absoluteradio70s.co.uk in line with the announcement of the station, which carries station information and an indicative schedule. Absolute Radio 70s shares the DAB slot currently used by Absolute Radio 00s, with 00s cutting its broadcast capacity to release space for the 70s service.This station, dedicated to playing classic hits from the 1980s, launched on 4 December 2009 in place of Absolute Xtreme, initially taking Xtreme's London DAB slot alongside its national Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media positions. It also broadcasts online. Described as being aimed at "reluctant adults" who want to reconnect with the tunes of their youth, Absolute Radio 80s plays a range of pop and rock hits from the decade and bills itself as "the UK's only 1980s radio station". In May 2010, Absolute Radio 80s moved onto the national Digital One DAB platform; its London slot was used to launch Absolute Radio 90s the following month.Absolute Radio 90s
Absolute 90s launched on 21 June 2010 on DAB, initially taking the London slot vacated by Absolute Radio 80s moving to Digital One, and then subsequently replacing dabbl in Essex, Wiltshire, Bristol, Berkshire and Bath. Shortly after launch, the 90s service became available on Digital One, sharing a broadcast slot with Absolute Radio Extra, for what was initially billed as a five-week trial run; however, the trial continued beyond this, and in November 2010 it was confirmed that 90s would remain available nationally on a regular basis. The station is also available on Sky, with Absolute having leased back channel 0203 from WRN; like Absolute's other stations, the 90s service is available online and via mobile smartphones. As the name suggests, the station plays music from the 1990s, following a similar format to the Absolute Radio 80s service. As with Absolute Radio 80s, the Dave Berry breakfast programme is simulcast on the digital station, as is relevant 90s programming from the main Absolute Radio.Music from the 21st century (2000s)
Absolute Radio 00s
A third "decade" station launched in December 2010. The service will initially be run on a trial basis until January 2011 but could be extended thereafter. As with the 80s and 90s stations, the new service will broadcast a range of music from the relevant decade and will feature shows hosted by Absolute DJs. The station will broadcast on DAB in London, online and via smartphone apps. The announcement of Absolute Radio 00s was accompanied by the news that Absolute Radio 90s would remain on the Digital One national platform on a regular basis following its trial run; the London DAB slot previously taken by Absolute Radio 90s was reallocated to the 00s service. Absolute Radio 00s is not currently available via digital TV.Absolute Radio 10s
The eighth station in the Absolute Radio network began broadcasting at 10am on Monday 18 November 2019, and operated solely online until being made available as a DAB+ service in London from 26 April 2021. Like the other Absolute decades, the station will air the main Absolute Radio Breakfast and Hometime shows with decade-relevant music inserted, and the weekend Frank Skinner and Jason Manford programmes. A launch special, presented by Absolute DJ Jay Lawrence, played the station's first track, "Pompeii" by Bastille.Absolute Radio 20s
The ninth station in the Absolute Radio network began broadcasting at 10am on Monday 24 February 2020, and operates solely online. The first song played was "Instant History" by Biffy Clyro.Pop-up stations
Absolute Radio 40s
Absolute Radio 40s was a pop-up station on 8 May 2020, the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The station used the 1215 AM frequency to play songs from The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Doris Day and Gracie Fields for 24 hours with Dave Berry, Leona Graham and Claire Sturgess presenting shows, which included archive footage and reminisces from VE Day veterans. Absolute Radio 40s was also found online and on DAB.Absolute Radio Noel
Absolute Radio Noel was a pop-up station that ran from 11 June to 18 June 2021. It was launched to mark ten years since Noel Gallagher launched his post-Oasis band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. It also coincided with the release of the band's best of album Back the Way We Came: Vol. 1 . The station featured an interview with Gallagher alongside performances, archive content, a ‘Through The Decades’ playlist chosen by Gallagher and a playback of the album.Absolute Radio You
Absolute Radio Sisters
This pop-up was the winning idea of the 2024 Absolute Radio You competition, with the pitch coming from Scottish sisters Rachael and Emma Hare. The service, whose strapline was ‘Where Sibling Rivalry Matters’, played a mixture of music from the 1990s and 2000s, and aired from 12 to 22 February 2024. This pop-up follows Absolute Radio Natalie in 2022 and Absolute Radio Kevin.Absolute Radio Kevin
This pop-up was the winning idea of the 2023 Absolute Radio You competition, proposed by Kevin McIlmurray from Ewell, Surrey as Absolute Radio Debut. The station was on air between 10 February and 20 February 2023, and played debut singles by various artists from the 1950s onwards, as well as tracks from debut albums.