Nation Radio UK

Last updated

Nation Radio
Broadcast areaVarious
Frequency DAB+: 11B: (Morecambe Bay)
DAB: 12A (London and Channel Islands)
BrandingThe Best Variety of Hits
Programming
Format Adult contemporary
Network Nation Radio
Ownership
Owner Nation Broadcasting
History
First air date
4 June 2018 (2018-06-04)
Links
Website Nation Radio UK

Nation Radio UK is a quasi-national radio station in the UK, broadcasting online and on DAB. It is owned and operated by Nation Broadcasting.

Contents

The digital station was launched in June 2016 as Thames Radio with a line-up of former BBC and Capital presenters such as breakfast host Neil Fox, Dean Martin, Tony Blackburn, Alex Lester, Pat Sharp and Neil Francis, with all presenters broadcasting from 'virtual studios' (as Thames Radio had no physical studio premises of its own).[ citation needed ]

In June 2017, Thames Radio [1] dropped all of its presenters and became a non-stop music station, until changing its name to Nation Radio in June 2018. [2] This was because the company behind Thames Radio had acquired a radio licence from Rock Radio Scotland (which was being unused) and wanted to launch a more 'national' service which would also include a station in Wales in time.[ citation needed ]

In 2021, DJs broadcasting on Nation Radio UK included Russ Williams and Neil Francis, with Mike Read broadcasting The Heritage Chart every Sunday at 5pm. [3] [4] [5]

In May 2022, broadcaster Greg Burns joined Nation Radio UK. Burns presents the weekday drive programme and weekend breakfast. [6]

In April 2025, broadcaster Roberto joined the Nation network hosting breakfast on Nation 80s and weekday evenings on Nation Radio UK.

As of September 2024, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 171,000, according to RAJAR. [7]

Presenters

Current presenters

Former presenters

List of stations

As of April 2025, Nation Radio broadcasts across 7 regional stations with a mix of networked and regional programming.

Nation Radio UK shares programming to these stations outside of their regional shows.

StationBroadcast Area
Nation Radio UK Morecambe Bay, London, Channel Islands
Nation Radio Wales Cardiff & Newport, North West Wales, Lampeter,

Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Pembrokeshire and

Swansea

Nation Radio South Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex
Nation Radio Scotland Glasgow and Paisley, West Dumbartonshire and Helensburgh
Nation Radio East Yorkshire Kingston upon Hull & East Riding and Humberside
Nation Radio Suffolk Suffolk and North Essex
Nation Radio North East Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, Teesside and North Yorkshire

Spin-offs

Nation Radio consists of 11 spin-off stations, powered by TuneIN available on the Nation Player app, and in some areas across the UK on DAB.

StationDAB Broadcast Area
Nation 60sSalisbury, Wrexham
Nation 70sPortsmouth, Glasgow, Wrexham, Suffolk, Hull
Nation 80sMid and West Wales, North East Wales, NW Wales, SE Wales, Ceredigion, Glasgow, Alnwick/Morpeth, Newcastle, Tynemouth, Salisbury, Portsmouth, London, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Morecambe Bay, Suffolk
Nation 90sPortsmouth, Glasgow, Hull, Suffolk, Salisbury, Morecambe Bay, Mid and West Wales, NW Wales, North East Wales, Ceredigion
Nation 00sSalisbury
Nation DanceSalisbury
Nation HitsTynemouth
Nation LoveSalisbury
Nation Classic HitsTynemouth
Nation RocksSalisbury, Wrexham
Nation XmasTynemouth

References

  1. "All presenters disappear from Thames Radio". radiotoday.co.uk. 17 June 2017.
  2. "Nation Radio to replace Thames Radio". radiotoday.co.uk. 4 June 2018.
  3. Gilsenan, Liam. "The Heritage Chart". Nation Radio London.
  4. Cooper, Matthew. "Schedule". Nation Radio London.
  5. Cooper, Matthew. "Home". Nation Radio London.
  6. "Greg Burns joins Nation Radio UK for a daily show". RadioToday. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  7. "RAJAR".