Bauer Media Group has today announced it will acquire Celador Radio and Lincs FM Group. Celador Radio comprises of 25 licences broadcasting across East Anglia, Thames Valley, Solent and the South West and Lincs FM Group comprises of nine licences across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Rutland.

This news follows its successful national launches of Hits Radio in June 2018, Greatest Hits Radio in January and the announcement of the launch of Scala Radio arriving on 4 March 2019.

Paul Keenan, CEO Bauer Media UK and European Radio commented: “The UK’s love of radio shows no signs of diminishing and we are investing to extend our reach and broaden our offer. Radio enjoyed record revenues last year and continues to exceed advertiser expectations, offering proven positive brand impact within an uncertain landscape.“

The Celador and Lincs FM Group stations add 1.1 million weekly listeners to the Bauer portfolio and extends its coverage of the UK, building on previous successful acquisitions such as Jazz FM, Orion Media and Nordic broadcaster SBS Discovery.

Keenan adds, “Bauer’s strong position on new listening platforms – with more than 60% of our listening now digital – will help secure the future of the acquired stations in the new audio world. Through this investment Bauer Media is demonstrating its fundamental belief in the UK, one of its key markets, which it is certain will continue to offer great opportunities for growth and economic success and in the continuing relevance of radio as a medium.“

Bauer has agreed to sell The Breeze and Sam FM in the Solent region and KCFM in Yorkshire to Nation Radio as it already operates in these markets with Wave 105.2 FM and Viking Radio respectively.

Bauer Media will continue to pursue opportunities to further extend its portfolio in the UK and Europe.

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For Further information:

Cat Martin – Communications Director, Bauer Media

0207 432 3317/07932 746 363

cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk

About Bauer Media UK:

Bauer Media UK reaches over 22 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.

About Bauer Media Group:

The Bauer Media Group is one of the world’s most successful media companies. We embrace tradition while still keeping our finger on the pulse. Our people create magazines, digital formats, and radio on four continents. With more than 700 magazines, 400 digital products, and 100+ radio stations, we inform and entertain millions of people every day. Simultaneously, we are shaping tomorrow: with investments in online comparison platforms and other young business models, we are setting the course for a successful future as a global portfolio company.