For the first time, staff members were asked to submit ideas and pitch for budget for the documentaries which will air across the Absolute Radio Network.

The programmes will be made by team members whose day jobs include sales, marketing, station imaging and social media production, mentored by senior radio programmers.

The successful commissions and their broadcast dates are as follows:

• Saturday 21^st April at 10pm – Vinyl Revival

A celebration of the resurgence of vinyl to celebrate Record Store Day, produced by Rachael Devine and Adem Waterman.

• Sat 9^th June at 10pm – Pitch Perfect

How music soundtracks our love of football produced by Dave Masterman, and Adem Waterman.

• Sat 16^th June at 10pm – 50 years of the Isle of Wight Festival

A look a half a century of one of the UK’s most iconic live music events, produced by Nick Harris and James Street.

• Sat 29^th September at 10pm – Algorhythm

The future of AI in music produced by Lizzie Horgan and Dane Smith.

Claire Sturgess, Pete Donaldson, Andy Bush and Rob Beckett are among the presenters who will lend their voices to the programmes with wider contributors including Muse.

Paul Sylvester, Absolute Radio Content Director said, “At the heart of all radio is storytelling and it’s crucial that commercial radio invests in quality documentary-making. More importantly, it’s essential that we invest in our teams and give them the opportunity to learn new skills, collaborate and showcase their creative talents. I’m proud that Absolute Radio is leading the way.”.

In addition to on-air broadcast, these documentaries will be available to listen on-demand at www.absoluteradio.co.uk as well on the Absolute Radio mobile listen app.

-ENDS-

About Absolute Radio:

Absolute Radio is a national radio station where ‘Real Music Matters’, wrapped up with lashings of personality and mischief from presenters including Frank Skinner, Jason Manford, Dave Berry and Rob Beckett who have the freedom to say what they think and tell it like it is.

Absolute Radio also has a network of digital decade brands; Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 70s, Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Radio 00s and Absolute Classic Rock.

Listen to Absolute Radio on 105.8FM in London and the South-East, 105.2FM in the West Midlands, nationally on DAB or 1215AM, online, via the official mobile app digital TV or voice-activated device. For more information log on to www.absoluteradio.co.uk

For further press information, please contact:

Cat Martin – Bauer Media Communications Director (Radio)

T: 0207 432 3317 M: 07932 746 363

Amelia O’Shea – Bauer Media Communications Manager (Radio)

T: 0207 432 3417 M: 07718 489342