Absolute Radio Country
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
FrequencyOnline: Planet Radio
Programming
FormatMainstream Country
NetworkAbsolute Radio Network
Ownership
OwnerBauer Radio
Absolute Radio
Absolute Radio Classic Rock
Absolute Radio 60s
Absolute Radio 70s
Absolute Radio 80s
Absolute Radio 90s
Absolute Radio 00s
Absolute Radio 10s
Absolute Radio 20s
History
First air date
5 April 2019 (as Country Hits Radio)
17 May 2021 (as Absolute Radio Country)
Links
WebsiteAbsolute Radio Country

Absolute Radio Country is a British digital radio station, and is owned and operated by Bauer Radio. It is available in selected areas via DAB, online and also via the Absolute Radio App as part of the Absolute Radio Network.

History

The station originally launched as Country Hits Radio on 5 April 2019 and was positioned as the UK's first national country music radio station.[1] The station is focused on modern country music and is aimed at listeners of 25–44. RAJAR for Early 2020 puts the station on an average of 257k listeners per week.[2] Absolute Radio Country is available on DAB in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, East Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear, Teesside, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Tayside, Inverness and Ayr.[3] In 2021, it was also made available on digital radio in Bristol and Bournemouth.

In February 2021 Bauer revealed that the station would be renamed as Absolute Radio Country and made part of the Absolute Radio Network - the transition took place on 17 May 2021, in tandem with other changes to the availability of Absolute's digital stations.[4][5] The first song to be played after the launch was "Jolene" by Dolly Parton, which was chosen by listeners via social media.

Programming

Absolute Radio Country programming primarily comes from their studios in Castlefield in Manchester and London. From Sunday - Thursday from 7pm - 10pm, the station takes programming from Nashville country station WKDF.[6]

Country Music artists have also been guest hosts on the station, including Brothers Osborne[7] & Charles Esten.[8]

Notable Presenters

See also

References

  1. ^ Meechan, Simon (March 12, 2019). "UK's first national country music radio station launches in April". nechronicle. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. ^ "RAJAR Q1 2020: London and national brands roundup". May 14, 2020. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Forster, Lucy (March 29, 2019). "New Country Hits Radio station launches". Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Country Hits Radio is rebranding to Absolute Radio Country". February 10, 2021. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-04-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ https://planetradio.co.uk/country-hits/entertainment/music/show-guide/[dead link]
  7. ^ "Absolute Radio Country welcomes Brothers Osborne". Bauer Media. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  8. ^ "Charles Esten to host Absolute Radio Country series". RadioToday. 2021-06-23. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-12-08.

Coordinates: 52°33′12″N 0°19′21″W﻿ / ﻿52.5532°N 0.3225°W﻿ / 52.5532; -0.3225
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