4 June 2018
Hits Radio launches live from Manchester
The new radio station is the only national commercial radio station to be broadcast out of Manchester, from the regions to the rest of the UK.
Hits Radio opened with a brand new national Breakfast Show hosted by Gethin Jones, who is best known for his TV work including Blue Peter, Actress and Strictly star Gemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty (Comedy Dave from BBC Radio 1’s Chris Moyles Show).
The first track was voted for by the listeners – Take That’s Greatest Day, aptly chosen to celebrate one of Manchester‘s favourite bands.
Following the song, Gethin said, “That was Greatest Day by Take That, the song you chose as the first ever song to be played on Hits Radio, Good Morning – if you’re listening to this it means I’ve pressed the right button.” Gemma then exclaimed: “You did! We all made it.”
Joining them on the show was Jess Glynne, who has recently claimed the title of the most number ones from any British female artist from Cheryl. Jess Glynne has revealed she has started to travel by private jet, that she is hugely over-whelmed by holding the title of the most number ones from any British artist title and that music is her self-therapy.
Later in the day, Drivetime was hosted by Wes Butters and the station’s evening show is to be fronted by Sarah-Jane Crawford (The Xtra Factor) – a destination for early evening radio listening across the UK with celebrity guests and topical updates from the day.
Aimed at a family-focused national audience aged 25-44, Hits Radio features a soundtrack of the biggest hits of the day alongside treasured favourites, featuring artists such as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Little Mix, Ellie Goulding, Rag N Bone Man, P!nk, Craig David, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Coldplay and Katy Perry to name a just a few.
Hits Radio weekdays line-up (daytime)
6am -10am – Gethin Jones, Gemma Atkinson and Dave Vitty
10am – 1pm – Mike Toolan
1pm – 4pm – Debbie Mac
4pm – 7pm – Wes Butters
7pm – 10pm – Sarah Jane Crawford
Hits Radio is broadcast on DAB Digital Radio, Freeview, online and on listen apps across the UK. In Manchester, the station will also broadcast on FM. For more information go to www.planetradio.co.uk.
-Ends-
For Further information:
Cat Martin
Communications Director, Bauer Media
0207 432 3317/07932 746363
About Hits Radio and Hits Network:
The Hits Radio Network reaches a family-friendly national audience of 25-44 year olds. It is home to Hits Radio, a brand new national station which offers relatable and brilliant banter accompanied by the biggest hits of the day, alongside favourites from the last fifteen years. The network is also home to strong heritage brands, including Newcastle’s Metro, Birmingham‘s Free, Liverpool’s Radio City, Glasgow’s Clyde 1 and Edinburgh’s Forth 1.
About Bauer Media UK:
Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 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. It creates and curates entertaining media content that audiences love whenever, wherever and however they want through a multi-channel strategy and a focus on product excellence and audience insight. The result is an exciting array of influential brands, content and talent which provide compelling and engaging advertising opportunities with valuable audiences for UK commercial partners. 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.
