Timeline of Greatest Hits Radio

This is a timeline of notable events relating to Greatest Hits Radio, a British commercial radio station operated by Bauer Radio. The timeline also covers the Magic and Big City 2 networks, which were the forerunners to Greatest Hits Radio.

1990s

• 1990
  • 9 July – Melody Radio launches as an easy listening music service in London.
  • 17 July – Magic 828 launches as a MW oldies station in Leeds.

• 1997
  • February – Emap launches a network of Magic stations on its MW frequencies across the north of England. Playing soft adult contemporary music, they replace regional oldies stations Great North Radio and Great Yorkshire Gold. Magic 1161 and Magic 990, 1305 & 1548 launch on the 12th, followed one week later by the north east stations Magic 1152 and Magic 1170
  • 17 March – The Magic brand is rolled out across the north west.

• 1998
  • June – Emap purchases Melody 105.4 FM.
  • December – Melody Radio is renamed Magic 105.4 FM.

• 1999
  • No events.

2000s

• 2000
  • No events.

• 2001
  • December – EMAP decides that it is more economical for north of England Magic stations to share off-peak programmes and begins networking with the London station Magic 105.4 between 10am-2pm, and 7pm-6am, although there are local commercial breaks, and local news on the hour. During these hours the station is simply known as Magic.

• 2002
  • No events.

• 2003
  • January – Due to a sharp decline in listening, Emap ends the networking of London station Magic 105.4 on the north of England Magic stations and a regional northern network is created with programmes broadcast from Magic 1152 in Newcastle. During networked hours, local adverts are aired, as well as local news on the hour.
  • September – Live evening programmes on Magic 105.4 are replaced by automated output.

• 2004
  • No events.

• 2005
  • June – Emap acquires Scottish Radio Holdings, gaining control of a suite of AM/FM stations in Scotland including Clyde 2, Forth 2, Tay AM, Moray Firth Radio, West Sound and Northsound 2, plus regional stations including Vibe FM (rebranded to Kiss in 2006) in the East of England and the Severn Estuary, and Wave 105 on the South coast. ^[1]

• 2006
  • July – The Magic AM network is revamped to appeal to an older audience. The changes see the introduction of more networking with only the 4 hour breakfast show remaining local. ^[2]

• 2007
  • No events.

• 2008
  • 29 January – Bauer completes the purchase of EMAPs radio, television and consumer media businesses, purchasing the assets for £1.14bn. ^[3]

• 2009
  • 4 June – Local programming on AM stations in Scotland is dropped outside of weekday breakfast and specialist shows are introduced.

2010s

• 2010
  • No events.

• 2011
  • No events.

• 2012
  • April – The weekend breakfast show on the north of England Magic Network stations stops being a local show and is replaced by a networked programme. Consequently, only the weekday breakfast show remains locally produced.

• 2013
  • 15 April – Bauer increases networking on its Yorkshire Magic stations with a networked breakfast show coming from Magic 828 in Leeds. ^[4] The other local Magic breakfast shows become regional programmes at around the same time. ^[5]
  • 1 July – The remaining Scottish local output ceased, leading to a fully networked schedule known as Greatest Hits Network, ^[6] though this title was rarely used on-air as the local stations retained split local branding for ten further years.

• 2014
  • September – Bauer Radio announces it would rebrand the Magic stations under localised identities, based on the main FM station names (e.g. Magic 1152 in Manchester becomes Key 2, based on Key 103). ^[7] Magic's AM network closed with the London equivalent, Magic 105.4 FM, launched nationwide on DAB.

• 2015
  • 5 January – The north of England Magic Network stations relaunch with the local identities and collectively form the Bauer City 2 network. ^[8] The Scottish MW stations continue as The Greatest Hits Network but network a version of the City 2 schedule with some peak time opt-outs specific for Scotland.
  • 7 December – Following permission from the regulator, Bauer swaps Radio City 2's format and frequencies with that of Radio City Talk. This gives City Network 2 its first berth on FM in England. ^{[9] [10]}

• 2016
  • Additional split programming for Scotland and England is re-introduced. ^[11]

• 2017
  • No events.

• 2018
  • 3 April – Northsound 2 stops broadcasting on 1035 AM and becomes a digital-only station on DAB and online. ^{[12] [13]} It is the first commercial radio station in Scotland – and the first of Bauer's local stations – to cease analogue broadcasting in favour of a digital switchover. ^[14]
  • 4 June – Following the renaming of Manchester station Key 103 to Hits Radio, Key 2 is renamed Key Radio. ^{[15] [16]}

• 2019
  • 7 January –
    • Greatest Hits Radio replaces the Bauer City 2 branding. Individual station identities in Northern England are dropped and are rebranded to GHR with Scotland unaffected. The new network extends to the West Midlands although GHR West Midlands continues to air a weekday three-hour local show. ^{[17] [18]}
    • Mark Goodier joins. ^[19]
  • 23 February – Pat Sharp joins. ^[20]

2020s

• 2020
  • 10 February – Alex Lester joins. ^{[21] [22]}
  • 15 February – Janice Long and Paul Gambaccini join. ^{[22] [23]}
  • 27 May – Bauer announces that the majority of the stations it acquired from UKRD, Lincs, Wireless and Celador will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio network from September, clustered to provide regional programming outside of network hours. Four of the acquired stations will join the Hits Radio network, retaining local names and a daily breakfast show, and three stations – Lincs FM, Pirate FM and SAM FM Bristol – will continue as largely standalone stations. ^[24]
  • 2 June – Greatest Hits Radio UK replaces Heat Radio on Freeview 716. ^[25]
  • 13 July – The former Wireless Group and Celador-owned stations join the Greatest Hits Radio network. The nineteen stations carry local breakfast shows and voicetracked programming whilst retaining separate branding until the full relaunch on 1 September 2020. ^[26]
  • 31 August – Bauer closes Leeds station Radio Aire after 39 years on air. Its frequency is, from the following day, used to carry Greatest Hits Radio. ^[27]
  • 1 September – The majority of the stations that Bauer Media acquired the previous year from UKRD, ^[28] Lincs FM Group, ^{[29] [30]} Wireless Group ^[31] and Celador Radio. ^{[29] [32]} join Greatest Hits Radio, clustered to provide regional programming outside of network hours, consisting of three hours each weekday teatime. ^[33] All of the affected stations lose their individual station names.
  • 6 September – Simon Mayo joins. ^[34]
  • 1 November – Following its purchase of Radio Plymouth, Bauer closes the station and uses the frequency to relay Greatest Hits Radio South West. ^{[35] [36] [37]}
  • 16 November – Following Bauer's purchase of The Revolution, the east Manchester station is closed and its frequency transferred to Greatest Hits Radio, thereby giving Greatest Hits Radio Manchester its first berth on FM. ^[38]

• 2021
  • 4 January – Debbie Mac joins. ^[39]
  • 9 January – Jenny Powell joins. ^[39]
  • 15 March – The weekday three-hour regional programme is moved from Drivetime to early afternoon to allow the station to network a new Drivetime programme hosted by Simon Mayo, and it features the return of Matt Williams. ^[40]
  • 26 April – Bauer switches off its mediumwave frequencies in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Leeds and Humberside. They are switched off following the launch of Greatest Hits Radio on FM in those areas. ^[41]
  • 17 May – Greatest Hits Radio launches on FM in London. It is able to do so by broadcasting on the frequency that carried Absolute Radio. Bauer is able to make the change following permission from Ofcom to swap Absolute Radio with Greatest Hits Radio. ^[42]
  • 17 June – Bauer purchases Stockport-based Imagine FM and announces it will add the three licenses it purchases to the Greatest Hits Radio network, ^{[43] [44]} further expanding GHR's coverage of both the Greater Manchester environs and into north Derbyshire (where GHR already occupies the former Peak FM).
  • 1 September – Imagine FM rebrands as Greatest Hits Radio. ^[45]
  • 11 December – Janice Long presents her last show before her death 14 days later.
  • 23 December – Darren Proctor hosts his final show as he leaves the station. ^[46]

• 2022
  • 4 January – Jackie Brambles joins, and returns to radio broadcasting after 27 years away. ^[46]
  • 8 January – Alex Lester replaced Janice Long on Saturday afternoons, ^[47] and Jo Russell replaced Darren Proctor on Saturday nights. ^[48]
  • 26 February – Richard Allinson and Kate Thornton both join the station. as Richard now replaces Janice Long on Saturday afternoons and Kate now replaces Darren Proctor on Saturday nights. ^{[49] [50]}
  • 19 September –
    • Wave 105's Poole transmitter relays Greatest Hits Radio Dorset, with Wave 105 remaining on its main transmitter. ^[51]
    • Greatest Hits Radio is removed from frequencies in Southern England, Suffolk and East Yorkshire, while Hits Radio disappears in Hampshire, as Nation Broadcasting ends its franchising agreement with Bauer Media. ^[52]
  • 14 December – Greatest Hits Radio launches on Sky TV, replacing Scala Radio on the tv platform. ^[53]

• 2023
  • January – Signal 1's Stafford and Congleton transmitters switch to broadcasting Greatest Hits Radio, with Signal 1 continuing to broadcast to Stoke-on-Trent. ^{[54] [55]}
  • 1 March – Bauer announces plans to replace Kiss with Greatest Hits Radio on its FM frequencies in Cambridge, Peterborough and Suffolk, subject to Ofcom approval. ^[56]
  • 20 March – Bauer launches a regional Greatest Hits Radio service for Cambridge, Peterborough and Suffolk on DAB ahead of proposed changes to its FM frequencies in the area. ^[56]
  • 2 April – Local English language programming is broadcast on Greatest Hits Radio South Wales for the final time. ^[57] Its late-night programme in Welsh is retained along with the required local news, weather and advertising.
  • 3 April –
    • Ken Bruce joins the station to present the weekday mid-morning show. ^[58]
    • Bauer Radio rebrands Clyde 2, Forth 2, MFR 2, Northsound 2, Tay 2, West Sound in Ayrshire, and West Sound in Dumfries & Galloway as Greatest Hits Radio, bringing its Scottish stations under the Greatest Hits banner alongside those in England and Wales. ^[59]
    • CFM ^[60] and Radio Borders ^[61] are rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio.
    • Bauer replaces Lincs FM with Greatest Hits Radio Lincolnshire on 102.2FM, 96.7FM and 97.6FM, while Lincs FM continues to air on DAB. ^[62]
  • 8 April – Mark Goodier begins presenting weekend mid-mornings on Greatest Hits Radio, replacing Pat Sharp. ^[63]
  • 18 July – Ofcom launches an investigation into Greatest Hits Radio's reporting of a petition urging criminals to be required to appear in court for sentencing hearings. The Face the Family petition was promoted by several Bauer stations, and was the lead story during Ken Bruce's show on 13 April 2023. Ofcom will examine whether Greatest Hits Radio's reporting of the story was impartial and accurate. ^[64]
  • 4 September – Greatest Hits Radio launches local radio services for Kent and Northern Ireland. ^[65]
  • 2 October – Gem 106's FM frequency switches over to Greatest Hits Radio while Gem continues to broadcast on DAB. ^[66]
  • 30 October
    • Bauer launches Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio in Oxfordshire, replacing Jack FM. ^[67]
    • A localised version of GHR launches on DAB in Northamptonshire, this and the Oxford change ending carriage of the network Greatest Hits Radio UK on DAB; the UK-wide service continues on national platforms such as Freeview and satellite TV.
  • 12 November – Bauer announces that GHR's remaining medium wave transmissions, in Scotland and northern England, will end by the end of the year, with the station continuing on DAB in the affected areas. ^[68]
  • 13 December – Bauer removes all of its radio stations, including Greatest Hits Radio, from the Sky and Virgin Media TV platforms. ^[69]

• 2024
  • 20 February – Greatest Hits Radio announces its first Greatest Hits Radio cruise in association with Ambassador Cruises, which will take passengers on a cruise from London to Hamburg along the River Elbe in October, and feature regular presenters Ken Bruce, Martin Kemp, Jenny Powell and Kate Thornton. ^[70]
  • 27 February – Bauer announces plans to rebrand Wave 105 as Greatest Hits Radio South Coast and Pirate FM as Greatest Hits Radio Cornwall. ^[71]
  • 2 April – Greatest Hits Radio UK is to be withdrawn, along with six other Bauer stations, from broadcasting over the Freeview TV platform, a change which was announced in mid-March; ^[72] although no longer broadcast on linear TV, GHR will remain available on connected-TV streaming apps as well as FM/DAB.

References

1. The Guardian, 2005-06-21
2. "Emap plans Magic Radio revamp". The Guardian. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
3. "Emap sells magazines and radio divisions to Bauer for £1.14bn". Campaign Live. 7 December 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
4. Bauer networks three more Magic stations
5. Magic AM starts networking at breakfast Radio Today, 15 February 2013
6. Galloway goes national at Bauer Scotland, RadioToday, 3 June 2013
7. "Major brand swap for Bauer's local stations". RadioToday. 28 September 2014. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014.
8. "Major brand swap for Bauer's local stations". RadioToday. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
9. "Radio City wants to swap AM & FM services". RadioToday. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015.
10. "Date set for Radio City 2 and 3 frequency swap". RadioToday. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
11. "Changes and departures at Bauer City 2 Network". Radio Today. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015.
12. Northsound 2 to make the switch to digital this week, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, 3 April 2018
13. Radio station Northsound to switch off analogue service, BBC News, 9 March 2018
14. "Northsound 2 to switch off AM radio service". Radio Today. 8 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018.
15. "Key 103 to rebrand as Hits Radio and go national". Radio Today. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018.
16. "Key 2 on AM and DAB rebrands as Key Radio". Radio Today. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018.
17. Bauer Media to launch Greatest Hits Radio network Radio Today, 15 November 2018
18. BAUER MEDIA TO LAUNCH THE GREATEST HITS RADIO NETWORK Bauer Media, 15 November 2018
19. "Greatest Hits Radio launches with new line-up". Radio Today. 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019.
20. "NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A CHART SHOW". Bauer Media. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
21. "Alex Lester joins Greatest Hits Radio for overnights". Radio Today. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020.
22. "Meet the new names joining Greatest Hits Radio..." Twitter. 10 February 2020.
23. "PAUL GAMBACCINI TO BRING AMERICA'S GREATEST HITS TO GREATEST HITS RADIO". Bauer Media. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
24. "Most of acquired Bauer stations to become Greatest Hits Radio". May 27, 2020. Retrieved Oct 2, 2020.
25. "Greatest Hits Radio launches on Freeview". RXTVlog. 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020.
26. Bauer starts to roll out Hits and Greatest Hits to new radio stations Stuart Clarkson, Radio Today, 9 July 2020
27. Radio Aire to become Greatest Hits Radio, Radio Today, 16 July 2020
28. "BAUER MEDIA UK TO ACQUIRE UKRD GROUP". Bauer Media . 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
29. "BAUER MEDIA ACQUIRES CELADOR RADIO & LINCS FM GROUP". Bauer Media . 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
30. "Bauer Media acquires Lincs FM Group". 5 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
31. "BAUER MEDIA SET TO ACQUIRE WIRELESS LOCAL STATIONS ACROSS ENGLAND AND WALES IN THIRD UK INVESTMENT THIS WEEK". Bauer Media . 8 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
32. "Bauer Media continues to grow with two acquisitions". 5 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
33. "Most of acquired Bauer stations to become Greatest Hits Radio". May 27, 2020.
34. "Simon Mayo joins Greatest Hits Radio line-up". RadioToday. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020.
35. "BAUER MEDIA TO ACQUIRE RADIO PLYMOUTH". Bauer Media. 17 September 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
36. "Bauer Media buys Radio Plymouth's business assets". Radio Plymouth. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
37. "Plymouth allowed to join Bauer's SW Approved Area". RadioToday. 7 March 2021. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021.
38. Martin, Roy (22 October 2020). "Revolution 96.2 sold to Bauer for Greatest Hits Radio". Radio Today. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
39. "JENNY POWELL AND DEBBIE MAC TO JOIN GREATEST HITS RADIO". Bauer Media. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023.
40. "Simon Mayo to host Drive on Greatest Hits Radio". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
41. "Bauer to turn off four AM transmitters in the North". Feb 25, 2021. Retrieved Mar 2, 2021.
42. "Greatest Hits Radio approved for London 105.8FM". 25 March 2021.
43. "Bauer buys Imagine to extend Greatest Hits Radio". 17 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
44. "BAUER MEDIA TO ACQUIRE IMAGINE RADIO". Bauer Media. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023.
45. "Bauer announces plans for Imagine Radio split and rebrand". RadioToday. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021.
46. "JACKIE BRAMBLES TO RETURN TO NATIONAL RADIO, AS SHE JOINS THE PRESENTING LINE-UP ON GREATEST HITS RADIO". Bauer Media. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023.
47. "Saturday 1–4 and Anthems 4–5 this week. Nothing Sunday. Obviously decisions are being made about the future". Twitter. 4 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022.
48. "Yes...I'm on The House Party on @greatesthitsuk on Saturday night! What's your fave party song from 70's, 80's or 90's?". Twitter. 5 January 2022. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022.
49. "Kate Thornton and Richard Allinson join our presenter line-up with exciting new shows". Planet Radio. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
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51. "Wave 105's Poole transmitter to become Greatest Hits Radio". 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
52. "Nation Broadcasting removes Bauer branding from its stations". 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
53. "Scala Radio to leave Sky". 9 December 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
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55. Martin, Roy (29 November 2022). "Bauer's Cumbria station CFM to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio" . Retrieved 29 November 2022.
56. Martin, Roy (1 March 2023). "Greatest Hits Radio to replace KISS in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk". Radio Today. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
57. "Greatest Hits Radio South Wales to lose breakfast and daytime shows". 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
58. "Ken Bruce to leave BBC Radio 2 show after 31 years and join Greatest Hits". BBC News. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
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61. "Radio Borders to rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio from April". RadioToday. 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
62. Martin, Roy (1 March 2023). "Lincs FM to lose its FM frequencies for Greatest Hits Radio". Radio Today. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
63. Martin, Roy (8 March 2023). "Mark Goodier gets weekend mornings on Greatest Hits Radio". Radio Today. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
64. Martin, Roy (18 July 2023). "Investigation launched into news item on Greatest Hits Radio". Radio Today. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
65. Martin, Roy (29 August 2023). "Greatest Hits Radio gets local content in Kent and Northern Ireland". Radio Today. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
66. "Gem to go digital only as Greatest Hits Radio gets ready to take over 106FM". Radio Today. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
67. "JACK fm to disappear after 15 years as GHR confirmed for Oxfordshire". Radio Today. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
68. Bauer to turn off AM services in Scotland, Ireland and Northern England Radio Today, 12 November 2023
69. "Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms". 28 November 2023.
70. Martin, Roy (20 February 2024). "Ken Bruce to join the first Greatest Hits Radio themed cruise to Hamburg". Radio Today. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
71. Collins, Steve (27 February 2024). "Wave 105 and Pirate FM frequencies to become Greatest Hits Radio". Radio Today. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
72. BeBroadcast.co.uk