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1. MY RADIO RESEARCH Jenna Paine

2. ABSOLUTE RADIO
Absolute radio is one of three independent National stations in Britain.
Plays popular rock music
Currently broadcasts on medium wave and DAB across the UK
Also available through cable television, satellite and the internet for
other countries.
Is a patron of The radio academy
Owned and operated by Bauer radio of Hamburg
2,125 per week with an average of 7.2 hours listening time

3. CURRENT DJ’S
Leona Graham
Christian O'Connell
Andy Bush
Danielle Perry
Geoff Lloyd
Pete Donaldson
Sarah Champion
Alex Baker
Chris Martin
 Frank Skinner
 Pete Donaldson
 Danny Wallace
 Sarah Champion
 Claire Sturgess
 Rob Beckett
 Danielle Perry
 Alex Baker

4. SISTER STATIONS
Absolute classic rock (Launched as Virgin Radio Classic Rock in 2000, Classic rock from 60’s-90’s
aimed at an older audience)
Absolute radio 00’s (Launched on 10 December 2010, aimed at younger/middle aged audience)
Absolute radio 90’s (Launched on 21 June 2010, middle aged audience)
Absolute radio 80’s (Launched on 4 December 2009, aimed at adults relooking their youth)
Absolute radio 70’s (Launched on 29 November 2011, aimed at an older audience)
Absolute radio 60’s (Launched on 22 November 2011, aimed at older audience)

5. HISTORY
In 1993, the 1990 broadcasting act allowed the launch of the independent National
radio stations. It was controlled by the rule that it could not be a ‘non-pop’ station and
one had to be predominantly a speaking service. Classic FM and Talk Radiotook the
first positions so this allowed any new customers to set up a station that is different.
Companies bid for the place to hold an independent station and Virgin/TV-am were
awarded the license in April, 1992. It was up against Independent National
Broadcasting Company of Sheffield, which bid £4,010,000 per year Chilitern
Radio’s 20/20 Radio (£1,311,000) and 2 more. However, Virgin bid the most standing
at £1,883,000. Later that year, they lose their license on ITV and it is sold in March,
1993 to JP Morgan Investment Corporation and Sir David Frost.

6. HISTORY
The station launched as Virgin at 12.15pm on the 30th April 1993. Some of the original
Dj’s were people like Richard Skinner, Russ Williams, Nick Abbot and Chris Evans.
Richard Branson was the first voice opening up the show and the first song was ‘Born
to be wild.’ Before it launched as an AM station, virgin campaigned to become a
National FM station. Radio authority launched a consultation of the use of 105-108
MHz. They decided it would be set aside, however, for local and regional stations.
Virgin applied for and won an FM license advertised in London. Virgin Radio launched
on 105.8 MHz FM in London on 10 April 1995, beginning with David Frost at 6am.
Part of the licence requirements for the London service meant that a daily London
opt-out was broadcast on FM, presented initially by Rowland Rivron.

7. HISTORY
Within a year, Virgin looked to broaden their horizons by looking at the option of
flotation or buying back their shares in the station. In May, 1997, Capital FM acquired
Virgin radio in an £87million pound deal. They planned to split the service between
AM and FM and move the main base to Leicester square where Capital was situated.
It was agreed but Nigel Griffiths, the Consumer Affairs Minister, referred the takeover
to the Monopolies and Mergers commission. The report wouldn’t take place until
January 1998 and would say the deal could only go ahead if Capital Gold was sold or
if Virgin London FM was left out of the deal. The delay meant the deal did not go
through.
In January, 1997 Chris Evans left his role as a Radio 1 presenter but was keen to go
back into the industry. Richard Branson persuaded Evans to work for Virgin and he
was hired on the breakfast show. His show started on the 13th October, 1997. Evans
put forward the idea to buy the station and the deal was announced on 8 December
1997, and would see the formation of the Ginger Media Group, an umbrella company
overseeing Virgin Radio and producing programmes such as TFI Friday.

8. HISTORY
Evans’ station began well, his audience increased by 660,000 to 2.2m in his first three
months. In August 1998, he decided to launch a show called ‘Rock n’ Roll football’
which is still broadcasted on absolute radio now. On 5th October, 1998, Virgin started
simulcasts of the Breakfast show on Sky one so the video footage would also be
seen. The ‘Ginger media group’ considered expansion opportunities planning to
acquire the daily star and hire Piers Morgan to edit it. They stalled on these plans
though. The management team therefore decided to sell their business three years
ahead of schedule and considered a public flotation before selling to the Scottish
media group for £225 million in March, 2000. They fought off bidders like Guardian
media, NRJ and Clear channel. Evans made £75 million from the sale. In 2001 he
was fired by his new employer because he did not turn up for 5 consecutive days as
he was reported drinking. Fru Hazlitt entered the business, he managed ‘Yahoo!’ in
the UK and Ireland.
In June, 2006, SMG signed a deal with YooMedia to make Virgin available on

9. HISTORY
In April, 2007, SMG announced they were to sell Virgin radio so they can focus on
their televised business. In May, 2008 TIML Golden square limited buy the station for
£53.2 million. They were given 90 days to rebrand the station. As part of the deal,
Absolute radio International would manage the station. On 1st September, 2008 it was
announced it would be rebranded to ‘Absolute radio’ on the 28th September. Since the
rebrand, a 5th of listeners had been lost. JK and Joel, Robin Burke and Tony Hadley
leave the station. Allan Lake, Joanna Russell and Tim Shaw joined.
In July, 2013, Bauer Media group announced it would purchase Absolute for £20
million and it was approved in December the same year. By September, 2014, all
stations owned by them moved to One Golden Square creating a new National hub.
In July 2015, the channel took over 105.2 in the West Midlands originally given to
‘planet rock.’ It Launched 7th September.

10. AUDIENCE
Launched aiming at a target of 24-44 year olds with focus on album
music. It said it aimed to fill a hole between radio 1 and local commercial
radio, aimed at younger audiences.

11. OPINION
The radio played current music which I found to be enjoyable.
However, some of it was a little too loud/upbeat for my taste when I
just wanted to relax. It’s aimed at an audience a little older than mine
but I still felt that the target was young enough for me to enjoy it too.
The station had frequent talking which I found to be boring. However,
the sister stations had an allotted time that just played music so I
found that easier to listen to. I think the stations wide coverage
across lots of mediums is a great and easily accessed system and the
amount of sister stations covers so many peoples tastes. It means
people can just pick a station that only plays the music they want to
hear, perhaps from their generation. Although, I think repetition is
inevitable on those focused stations and some, 90’s and 00’s, sound
very similar so could perhaps become just one.