I hope they restore the old names (BRMB, Mercia etc). Free 80s could become a relay of Absolute 80s or perhaps more likely become part of the Bauer 2 network.
I hope they restore the old names (BRMB, Mercia etc). Free 80s could become a relay of Absolute 80s or perhaps more likely become part of the Bauer 2 network.
I do hope that happens as the websites are still registered despite not being used since 2010..
I hope they restore the old names (BRMB, Mercia etc). Free 80s could become a relay of Absolute 80s or perhaps more likely become part of the Bauer 2 network.
Or how about a risk of a regional show on Absolute FM?
I'm pleased with this development. I only really listen to Free Radio 80s for their Monday and Friday Goalzone football coverage, so I had feared that had Global got their hands on Orion these programmes would be discontinued given their track record of cancelling local sports output over the past 10-12 years.
While Bauer ended their local radio football commentary deals in Liverpool and Scotland last year, they have a much better record of maintaining local sports coverage and have retained their football phone-ins on Radio City and Clyde, so I'm confident The Goalzone - a well established programme hosted by one of the longest-tenured sports radio broadcasters in the country in Tom Ross - will receive the same sort of treatment and survive the change of ownership.
So most people's predictions were on the money - good to see!
I guess this means the possibility of the heritage brands returning is now very real. It's certainly the way Bauer tends to work with stations like these.
Of course, any return of those brands is likely to come at the expense of most Midlands-based shows outside of weekday daytimes, but hard to see any scenario where that wouldn't have been the case.
I cant see Bauer changing much with Gem 106 as its a very popular station the only thing they might do is add an overnight show.
On Free Radio I think they could go back to their original names and become part of the city 1 network. If this happens Breakfast will be extended to 10. They may introduce local 10-2 shows and then 2 o clock anthems followed by drive then join the network from 7pm - 6am
I'm curious to know if they'll keep Gem 106 out of the place 1 network. I'll put my money on sam and amy getting a show across the bauer city network on weekends. Replacing Paddy on Sunday?
Well if it helps bring them to their former glory, why not?
Free is miles better than Bauer City network, Bauer have destroyed their network, yeah they may get their original names back but thats got to be scant consolation for the dire crap that will come out of the speakers.
I'm curious to know if they'll keep Gem 106 out of the place 1 network. I'll put my money on sam and amy getting a show across the bauer city network on weekends. Replacing Paddy on Sunday?
Im thinking Saturday mornings replacing Stu and Kelly
A little curve ball here but could Gem be the name they use for the City 1 stations? The rebranding of the WM stations would pave the way and Gem although means Great East Midlands, it doesn't have to mean anything elsewhere.
Although my money is Gem becoming Magic unfortunately but on the plus side, WM gains heritage names.
I wouldn't mind betting Bauer will take some capacity on D1 for putting Gem out on DAB nationally - no room on SDL... now that would give Heart a real run for its money!
Also wondering if Bauer may put one or more of its other stations on to the Mux Co multiplex for Herefordshire & Worcestershire?
tony le mesmer
Posts: 876
Comments
I hope they restore the old names (BRMB, Mercia etc). Free 80s could become a relay of Absolute 80s or perhaps more likely become part of the Bauer 2 network.
I do hope that happens as the websites are still registered despite not being used since 2010..
Would that work?
Wonder if Bauer will put any other of their stations on DAB in the 2 counties?
Or how about a risk of a regional show on Absolute FM?
I don't think they will be adding regional content to 105.2FM, it's a "qualifying regional" which is covered by the D1 carriage of Absolute.
There are a couple of other questions - will they merge Free Birmingham & Coventry, and what will happen to Gem 106?
They could put Gem on Sound Digital, which would be a strong national competitor to Heart.
While Bauer ended their local radio football commentary deals in Liverpool and Scotland last year, they have a much better record of maintaining local sports coverage and have retained their football phone-ins on Radio City and Clyde, so I'm confident The Goalzone - a well established programme hosted by one of the longest-tenured sports radio broadcasters in the country in Tom Ross - will receive the same sort of treatment and survive the change of ownership.
I guess this means the possibility of the heritage brands returning is now very real. It's certainly the way Bauer tends to work with stations like these.
Of course, any return of those brands is likely to come at the expense of most Midlands-based shows outside of weekday daytimes, but hard to see any scenario where that wouldn't have been the case.
On Free Radio I think they could go back to their original names and become part of the city 1 network. If this happens Breakfast will be extended to 10. They may introduce local 10-2 shows and then 2 o clock anthems followed by drive then join the network from 7pm - 6am
Free is miles better than Bauer City network, Bauer have destroyed their network, yeah they may get their original names back but thats got to be scant consolation for the dire crap that will come out of the speakers.
Im thinking Saturday mornings replacing Stu and Kelly
Although my money is Gem becoming Magic unfortunately but on the plus side, WM gains heritage names.
Interesting times ahead.
Makes as much sense as 'Free'
A slot on one of the magic station's highly likely.
I would say within a month of the official purchase date, brmb et al will be back.
Gem will stay as Gem in exactly the same way Wave is still Wave.
Sam and Amy will be on City 1 weekends in a similar timeframe.
Great news for pretty much everyone.
If thats the case, when I was up in Liverpool last year, I caught a bit of Pete Price up there.
They need a decent late talk host, not flipping love songs!
Any one got Ian Perry's number, as the Midnight Line should come back?
Also wondering if Bauer may put one or more of its other stations on to the Mux Co multiplex for Herefordshire & Worcestershire?