Bauer Media has today announced it will extend the reach of Greatest Hits Radio on FM into Stockport, High Peak and the Derbyshire Dales with the acquisition of Imagine Radio.

The stations, formerly owned by Like Media Limited, will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio Stockport and Cheshire and High Peak and the Derbyshire Dales later this year. This will provide listeners in the area with access to nationally known presenters, a new networked breakfast and regional afternoon shows from Debbie Mac (Stockport) and Andy Goulding (High Peak and the Derbyshire Dales), local news and information – including traffic and travel – as well as a playlist of classic hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

Greatest Hits Radio is part of the Hits Radio Brand Network, the largest commercial radio network in the UK, providing the highest listening hours of any commercial radio brand. The acquisition will extend Greatest Hits Radio’s reach by an additional 470,000 people.

Delivering the optimum mix of local content that listeners highly value, the Hits Radio Brand Network also provides significant scale for national and local advertisers.

Dee Ford, Group Managing Director of Bauer Radio, commented: “Greatest Hits Radio is home to much-loved presenters, including Simon Mayo, who has just been announced as being the recipient of an MBE for his services to radio broadcasting. Having expanded FM coverage of the station into London, we’re delighted to be able to bring even greater access to the station to listeners in the North West and East Midlands. Creating further scale for advertisers, we’re also committed to ensuring listeners have access to local information and news for the long-term.

“We’d like to thank the passionate and dedicated team at Imagine Radio, and look forward to working closely with them over the next few weeks.”

Ryan Davies, Managing Director of Like Media Group said: “It’s been great fun developing Imagine Radio over the last couple of years, and working with the fantastic team that we have and I know each of them will continue to thrive. The sale wasn’t an easy decision for us, however it allows the remaining Like Media Group team to fully focus on the other projects that we have underway. We would like thank Dee and the Bauer team and wish them all the very best with the Hits Radio Brand network.”

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Further information:

About Bauer Media Audio
Bauer Media Audio is Europe’s leading digital commercial radio broadcaster and audio operator. Experts in the power of sound, the company reaches over 57 million listeners weekly through its market-leading broadcast radio, online services, and podcasts. Spanning 8 countries – the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Slovakia, Bauer Media Audio owns leading brands including KISS, Mix Megapol, Absolute Radio, Magic Radio, Radio Norge, Radio Expres, Radio Nova, Radio 100, Today FM, Newstalk and RMF.

For further press information, please contact:   

Cat Martin – Communications Director, Bauer Media Audio
cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk – 07932 746363

Amelia O’Shea – Head of Communications, Bauer Media Audio UK
amelia.oshea@bauermedia.co.uk – 07718 489342